Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

US at CHRISTMAS (2001-11)

2001
I have had so much fun looking back through George's and my Christmas pictures we take with the tripod each year.  We take these pictures not only as memories --but to use in our Christmas cards or letters the following year...

Today I'll share one photo from each year (except 2002 and 2003--when I cannot find any) ---AND the 2012 ones won't be taken until Christmas this year... Hope you enjoy these pictures --through the years!!!!

2004

2005





2006





2007

2008





2009





2010





2011
You can tell how I have struggled with my weight (all of my adult life it seems)... This time (now that I am AT GOAL--for the first time since college),  I am determined NOT to gain the weight back... I have to work twice as hard on maintenance as I did on losing the weight!!!!!   For that reason,  even though I am not on a strict diet (doctor doesn't want me to lose anymore),  I am still keeping a daily food journal,  drinking between 70-100 oz of water/fluid daily,  walking for exercise, and eating very healthily....   Wish me luck with this process in 2013....

Have a tremendous day--and remember to keep the JOY in Christmas!!!

Hugs,

57 comments:

Anonymous said...

Beautiful photos and I love your smile!

eileeninmd said...

Betsy, you and George are so cute. I loved all the shots of you two! Merry Christmas!

Hootin Anni said...

Betsy, you have the most beautiful smile!!!


Greetings!!!

Just popping in this morning to send along my wishes to you and yours...that you have a very happy holiday season.

Will see you again in 2013, when I return to blogging after my hiatus, enjoying the company of my sister from Colorado. I haven't seen her in nearly 10 years. This will be a treat.

Happy Holidays...love Anni

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Wonderful photos dear Betsy.

You both look great and happy.

Love and hugs ~ FlowerLady Lorraine

Kirigalpoththa said...

Dear Betsy and George, Wish you a merry xmas and a happy new year!!

Catherine said...

So much happiness in every photo Betsy. Wonderful. I hear you about the maintenance part of losing weight. It's a daily choice isn't it? I am keeping those Christmas goodies out of my mouth but I am looking forward to some mashed potatoes and gravy Christmas day. But I will do extra on the treadmill the next day. :)

Wishing you and your sweetie a wonderful holiday season Betsy!

xo Catherine

Sharon said...

Your happiness truly jumps off the page and into the home of whomever is reading. And as you know, I can so identify with the weight struggles. Our annual anniversary pictures show exactly the same fluctuations as your Christmas pics. But you always look great and always know I'm here to encourage if you ever need it!

Naturegirl said...

Betsy first of all Congrats on your weight loss, I know the struggle especially as we age and motabolism slows and for me having arthritis limits my activities.One thing we are surely blessed with is having the love of our husbands and oh my what a handsome couple you two are.
Wishing you both happiness and continued good health. Merry Christmas!

Elizabeth Edwards said...

you look just beautiful. gorgeous couple. i love Christmas time. makes me smile because i know i enjoy different hairstyles too. so fun. i think we all deal with things we wish for ourselves. i think if you are happy how you feel that is all that matters. we love you no matter what. we are all human. i know i have my own issues. you all have a blessed & Merry Christmas. big big hugs. ( :

From the Kitchen said...

Love them all. How do you two look so relaxed when you have to set the camera timer and then pose?

Merry, merry!

Best,
Bonnie

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

I have certainly noticed how slim you've gotten. Congratulations on meeting your goal! All that hiking must help a lot. You look fantastic :-)

Dorothy said...

What a treasure to have all the Christmas pictures! I particularly like the one in 2004 with the curly hair!!! I certainly uderstand and identify with the weight problem! You are doing great with your plan and I'm sure you will be able to maintain your goal weight if your continue to follow it! Christmas Blessings to you are George!

Diane AZ said...

Hi Betsy, Wonderful Christmas pictures of the cutest and happiest couple on Earth! Also, the patchwork Christmas quilt caught my eye because I made a similar one. Congrats on reaching your goal weight!

Lynn said...

These are wonderful! The only picture that surprised me was 2004 with the curly hair. In that one you so different. Congratulations on loosing and keeping all that weight off. I salute you. No matter what your weight (you never looked as heavy as your had told me) you always looked beautiful with your smile and George. Merry Christmas. PS Our Christmas cards will be late, just mailing them today.

Unknown said...

Lovely photos :) thank you very much for sharing.
Enjoy your day!

Hugs,
Eva

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Pictures past... So cute.

Oh I so wish you luck with maintaining your goal weight! You are an inspiration to so many of us.

:-)

Fun60 said...

Merry Christmas to you both. I love the photos and especially the Christmas sweaters. Best of luck with your weight management for 2013. As we get older it seems so much harder to lose any weight at all, so congratulations.

Neal said...

Merry Christmas to both of you. Both of you look great and that is because both of you ARE great.

MadSnapper said...

now not only are you travelers, you are time travelers. fun seeing the changes each year.

Arkansas Patti said...

You two just don't take a bad picture. Your happiness and love just shines through.
Big time kudos Betsy on your marvelous weight loss. I am so envious. What a wonderful present to George and yourself--a healthier, longer life. Keep up the good work.
Have a wonderful Christmas and a healthy and happy 2013.

Nellie said...

Great pictures! Congratulations on being at goal. I am presently about 10 pounds above that, for some odd reason. Work on getting it down is going very slowly. Hugs, Nellie

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

I love all of these, but the one in your header is my favorite. Losing weight is a huge accomplishment, but maintaining a good weight is the hardest battle of all. You go, girl!

Carletta said...

They are all of a smiling loving couple but your header shot is my favorite!

MTWaggin said...

You two are just the cutest happiest couple ever and I still hope someday I find a mate that is just as fun as you two are for each other!

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Such happy smiles- you two are just so sweet! Merry Christmas to both of you!

Fred Alton said...

jBetsy, I absolutely love all of the photos of you and George. Loved your hairstyle best in the 2004 shot - then the 2005 shot, tho very different - still very attractive shot of you. Of course having George there added lots. You are both so photo-genic. I wish I was more faithful to my walking program like you! I'm doing good so far - more tests tomorrow. Be Blessed and have a great Christmas.

camp and cottage living said...

Betsy
You make a lovely couple! It's plan to see how happy you both are.
Good for you-being able to get to the weight you want to be at. I'm sure it was a lot of hard work!

Sylvia K said...

Wonderful, happy smiles and what a great start for my day! I know they each bring wonderful memories for you both! Wishing you both a wonderful, joyous Merry Christmas!!

Big Dude said...

Looks like many fine Christmas' and memories together

imac said...

Looking great thru-out the years.

Now goand have a rack of ribs and chips,lol.

Ms. A said...

Looking good!

I agree that you don't need to lose anymore. You're downright skinny!

Ginny Hartzler said...

You were a real hot mama in 2005!!! But you and George look beautiful each year. And to me, you look better each year. This was a splendid idea!

Rose ~ from Oz said...

Dear Betsy and George, the header photo is simply lovely and a wonderful way to really connect with all of your Blog-friends at Christmas. It has a loving and personal feel to it.
Your Christmas photos through the years are a delight. And congratulations that you've reach goal - your weight journey has obviously been very important to you. Well done sweetheart!
PS:(thank you so much for your sweet words of condolence)

Ann said...

I love all your Christmas photos. You both look so happy. I'm finding that the older I get the harder it is to maintain weight. Of course I'm also finding it harder to exercise and say no to my favorite goodies too....lol

LV said...

The only thing that has not changed over the years, is your love for each other. You both are the best decorations ever.

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

So fun to look back at all the photos. You are looking trim. Keeping the journal will help keep you on track. You can do it!!

Out on the prairie said...

What a lovely series.It has been nice sharing all year.Happy Holidays Betsy

Connie said...

Betsy, I loved seeing these photos down through the years! Great pictures and memories for you and George.

Chatty Crone said...

I loved those - and let me tell you something - you two have only improved with age! You look great. Must be all that walking! These were great.
sandie

Ruth Hiebert said...

What a nice series of pictures! You look so totally happy.

Shug said...

I love this post....what a neat way of saving the memories...You two are so beautiful and I certainly do admire you both..
shug

carolina nana said...

Congratulations for getting to your weight goal. I still like about 15 lbs to get to mine. I am losing slowly so hopefully that will help it stay off. It is a life style change forever so we won't gain any back.
Love your through the years pics.
Blessings
Marilyn

Dr. Kathy McCoy said...

Those are such beautiful pictures of you and your husband, Betsy! What a great idea! I can certainly identify with the weight fluctuations and congratulations on getting to your weight goal! You guys are so active, I'm sure this is the time you will keep your weight just where you want it! Have a very Merry Christmas!

Cheryl @ TFD said...

I loved seeing these great photos of you two...you are one cute couple. I loved seeing your hair styles through the years, too, Betsy. And congrats on your weight loss, I need to get serious about losing some weight myself.
Hugs,
Cheryl

Sr Crystal Mary Lindsey said...

How blessed you both are, to have each other. Happy Christmas. xxx
Love sent from HOT Australia.. its steaming.

Jeevan said...

Beautiful photos Betsy! Your expressions were so cheerful and I wish it remains forever with you. Hope it was a fantastic Christmas season :)

Anonymous said...

Sweet as two sweethearts can be.

Have a wonderful day, Betsy.

Busy Bee Suz said...

This is a lovely walk down memory lane. What I found most interesting, was your different hair styles. Longer, shorter, curly....and no matter what your weight, your beauty shines through.
Merry Christmas to you and George!!!!!
XOXO

Anonymous said...

You both look so wonderful and happy!

Good luck with the weight loss through the next year.

Linda P said...

I love all your Christmas photos through the years. May this Christmas be special and the new year a healthy, peaceful one.

Janice K said...

That is so neat, Betsy. I'm sure each picture brings back many happy memories.

Wishing you and George a Blessed Christmas and a Wonderful New Year.

Randy said...

I'm probably off the radar until after New Years,so Merry Christmas to you and George!! Hugs-

Marie said...

You look so lovely in all the photos! I really like your hair in 2005. :) You and George make a wonderful couple and look so happy!
We are hopefully taking our Christmas photo tonight and then I have to get it in the mail...lol
Merry Christmas Betsy and George!
Marie

Terry and Linda said...

Neither one of you have changed!!!! Not one bit! Merry Christmas it's almost here!

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com

¸.•*¨*•♪♫♫♪Merry Christmas to you ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥
˜”*°•.˜”*°•.˜”*°•.★★.•°*”˜.•°*”˜.•°*”˜”

Rose said...

Betsy, I really did enjoy seeing this. I cannot pick a favorite.

Cheqna said...

Hi Betsy,

How nice you can enjoy looking at the photos, and remembering the good times...hope you'll have many more to cherish.

All the best with your diet program..am facing the problem of gaining weight as I love to eat..haha..but will try to stay healthy.

Merry Christmas to you, George and family..have a great celebration.

:-)

Betty Manousos said...

awwww!!!!

loved every single one of these shots! you do make a great couple!!

big hugs~