Trainer Update

I haven't posted a training update in awhile.... But here's the scoop. For the last 7 weeks I've been doing the "bikini bootcamp" type thing with my trainer. And I've been doing weight training and walking on my own.

The numbers are cool, but way cooler if you look at my progress since January when I first started working out with Charlotte.

So far, I've lost about 8 lbs. since January. AND I've lost a total of 9.75 inches -- 5.75 of that in the last seven weeks. What's really cool -- 3 inches of that is off my gut!!! And 1.5 off my waist. And two off my hips!!!

Basically, I've gone from a 10-12 to a 6-8. And I'm not done!!!

We start another class on Monday -- if you're in Fairfield or even in the Cypress area (you don't have to live in Fairfield) you need to join us! It's MWF 7:15-8:15 a.m.!!!

FIFTY!!!

Team Tiara Has FIFTY people signed up to walk in the 3-Day! How cool is that?

This is one party you DO NOT want to miss!

Find out more: http://08.the3day.org/goto/teamtiara

I'm willing to bet you'll know someone else on our team!

My Miracle Friends

Ya'll may remember about a year ago -- before I figured out how to be a blogger -- that I sent a bunch of emails asking for prayers for my friend Kelly. Kelly and her family were a major wreck last year. Her daughter Rebeckah (a month younger than Abbie) had severe head injuries. Kelly's arm was mangled -- she almost lost it. BUT God was watching over my precious friends, and a year later things are going very well in their household. Kelly's arm still requires treatment, surgeries, etc. -- she is such an inspiration to talk to because it's kind of like that's not "Big Picture" enough for her to stress about. She's got the most positive outlook ever.

Anyway, they just did a story on Rebeckah in the San Angelo paper. Kelly shared it with me, and I want to share it with you!!

Survivor: Girl, 7, has only scars after near-fatal wreck http://gosanangelo.com/news/2008/may/27/survivor/

Prayers Needed

I had a post written about this, but then it went away -- don't ask. Anyway, my Uncle Keith was diagnosed with a brain tumor last week. I don't know if he even knows yet -- they've been waiting for a neurologist to be the one to tell him. I do know it's the fast-growing kind, that he's been having spells for a few months, and that they have him on steroids which seems to be helping the swelling stay down.

They were supposed to see the neurologist today.

My Uncle Keith has played a big role in my life. Growing up, I don't remember him as much as I do his son Clay. Clay and I were about the same age. I remember a trip to Luling one Thanksgiving to spend time with them -- and how Sid was wearing shorts in November, and Mom thought that was nuts.

But the "big role" stuff didn't start until later. When I was in the 8th grade -- headed into my Freshman year -- I called Uncle Keith and told him I wanted to show steers. That was the start of something big -- and it had a huge impact on me and the adult I eventually became. Keith was always there to support us. A quiet, strong presence.

My Mom always thought a lot of Uncle Keith -- it meant a lot to her that he still considered her family even after she and Dad split up.

And then, last year, when she went to be with Jesus, most of the Lloyds were gathered in Ruidoso for a family reunion. Keith was the one I asked for when I called to let them know. Mom would have wanted that.

So please pray for my Uncle Keith, for a treatment plan that will rid him of the tumor. For peace for his family. And for wisdom for the doctors.

Thanks,
d.

Happy Birthday!!!

Hey, Kate Porter!!!

Isn't today your birthday???

Happy Birthday!!!

Pampered Chef Fundraiser Through May 30!!!

*** NOTE: If sales on this fundraiser reach $500, the 3-Day will get 25% of the sales! We're at $350 now! My goal is $1000! Think we can do it??


Hello All!!!
THE Suzanne Dickson, a really cool chick who works up at Abbie's school, is helping me host an online Pampered Chef Fundraiser for the 3-Day.

If you're a Pampered Chef fiend like I am, I'm guessing there are a couple of things you NEED!

You can log onto the party at: http://www.pamperedchef.biz/sdickson, go to the Our Products section, select the link below the products they would like to purchase, and enter "Breast Cancer 3-Day" where it says first name / organization.

Be sure to check out the cute pink stuff they have for their Breast Cancer awareness month!

AND if you want to book a party or fundraiser off this party, PC will donate $3 to the 3-Day!! How cool is that???

OH! And if you don't live near here -- PLEASE have your order shipped to your home!!!

If you need a few ideas, I love my...

Batter bowls
Stoneware -- especially the pizza stone and mini loaf pan (makes 4 mini loaves)
Food Chopper
Spatula
Mix n Scraper
Bread Knife
Paring knives
Measure-all
Adjustable Measuring Spoons....

Okay. It's late. Those should get you started!
- d.

Houston, We have a Problem....

Man. We have a problem. After staying on top of the 3-Day leader board for months, Team Tiara has lost our #1 spot! The Boxing Babes, Round 2 has a beat by about $2000 right now!!! YIKES!

The competitive side of me says, " Please donate!"

Kait's Preschool Graduation

Kait's Preschool Graduation (or Grad-yee-ay-tion as she says it) was last night. It was so hard for me. Not because Biggs was stuck in West Virginia with a plane that had brake issues. And not because this my baby and this is the end of preschool for me.

I just kept thinking, "Mom would have loved this."
"Mom would be eating this up."
"Mom would be here."
"Mom should be here."

Man.

Kait was so incredibly cute. They did a program first, then had the graduation part -- cap and gown, the whole works. Even had that gold ribbon around her neck -- surely they know she's destined for National Honor Society or Beta Club or whatever. But she really was a hoot to watch!

This is the program part -- that's her friend Lily on her right.

I love this picture! She looks so studious checking out her new Bible.

I kind of think this looks more like the Flying Nun than a graduation picture, but it's cute either way!

I have no idea why this one came out grainy -- but here Kait is with her teacher, Mrs. Ritchie.

And here she is with Big Sister Abbie. Abbie, of course, wanted to know why she never had a graduation like that. I, on the other hand, think it's great Kait got to do something Abbie has never done. How rare! I wish you could see all of Abs' dress in this picture. It looks so pretty on her!

Prayers Needed

Hi all,
Uncle Don is having his prostate removed tomorrow (Tuesday), so please keep him in your prayers! I told him it was better him than me -- since I don't have one. If they ever schedule me for prostate surgery, we're in trouble!!!

Please pray especially for Aunt Nelva as she weathers this storm. I talked to her today, and she's very nervous -- she won't tell you she is, but she is. As ornery as he is, she needs him!

And please continue praying for Amy Martin as she goes through chemo. You can find updates on Amy's progress at: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/amymartin

Thanks for your prayers!
- d.

GREAT Headline!

Okay. Just the headline of this article makes it blog-worthy!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080520/ap_on_sc/florida_artifacts

Creek Pix

Okay... I'm am so far behind on just about everything around here! The GOOD news is Kait only has four more days of school -- then I can stop driving back and forth to The Met. And maybe I can get caught up.

Here are some cute Creek Pix from our trip with the Pattons. (Okay. Some aren't so cute!)

Here's Abs doing what she loves more than just about anything else!!! Kneeboarding!

Here's Meg -- I didn't get any pix of Emily -- we weren't in the boat at the same time, and when I wasn't in the boat, I was painting. I guess they'll have to come back!

Kait....
Yes, we're the crazy people who put 5-year-olds on kneeboards. Kait LOVES it -- about as much as Abbie does. And she rode that thing FOREVER. Biggs kept trying to throw her off. She even made it through a no-wake zone. We finally had to stop the boat and pull her off so someone else could ride.

Yep. There's the man I fell in love with -- 12 years ago!!!

And here I am. Thinking about doing a 360.

Into the 360.
Oh yeah. I did a 360 and then some -- under water!! Not quite as graceful as I had hoped! Oh well -- I needed a summer project! I do have to say, all the working out I've been doing sure makes it easier!

Great Mother's Day Gift Idea

If you're looking for a great idea for a Mother's Day gift, why don't you step on over to my 3-Day site and make a donation? It's a great way to honor your Mom -- or honor her memory. And it will help us make sure that Moms all around the world will someday be safe from the threat of breast cancer. Just click on "Donate" on the 3-Day logo to the right and take it from there!

Thanks a million!
- d.

Abbie's Having Quite a Day

While negotiating for a later bedtime, because "just about every first grader gets to stay up until 9:00," she said,"Benjamin gets in trouble all the time. He got sent to the office. And he gets to stay up until 9:00."

Yeah, we're going to have to work on those negotiating skills before she gets out of B-school someday. In the meantime, she'll be going to bed at 8:00!!

Life in the Biggs Household

We sent Abbie & Kait in to take a shower tonight. Abbie emerges fairly quickly, ready for bed. Kait is hollering, "Mooooommmmm!!! Moooooommmmmm!!!!" Biggs goes in there. Then comes out.

Abbie didn't take a shower -- just rinsed her hair in the sink. When asked, "Did you take a shower?", she replied, "Yes. No. But I used Germ-ex all over."

Arggghhh!!!

That new "post ranking" system just appeared, and I don't know how to turn it off!

Man!!!

Cross your Fingers!!!

All right, ya'll,
Cross your fingers!!!

If Jason Castro makes it through to the final three on Idol tonight, there's going to be a HUGE Idol concert tomorrow night in Aggieland -- on the steps of the Academic Building. AND Aggieland will be featured on Idol. HOW COOL IS THAT???

Wow. And Gig 'em.

This is from a columnist in Georgia...



Darrell Huckaby - Encounter with young family puts things in perspective
Darrell HuckabyColumnist

So there I was, with my wife and two of my three children - the ones who are 22 and 16 - enjoying a nice day at the beach. Actually, it was day on the island, but give me a little leeway here, please.
It was a Saturday morning - a warm Saturday morning. There wasn't a cloud in the sky and I really and truly shouldn't have had a care in the world, but I have a tendency to create cares where none exist. I'm an old curmudgeon, in other words. A mulligruber. I don't recall what my worries were on this glorious Saturday morning, but I'm sure there was something that didn't suit me.
Perhaps my coffee had not been hot enough at breakfast. Perhaps our entourage had taken too long to get ready for our bike ride - which happened to be the only thing on our agenda for that day. Perhaps I wasn't satisfied with the way the golf tournament was going in Augusta. The point is, I am sure I wasn't enjoying the day as much as I should have, because that's just the way I am lately.
I had stopped at the Sweet Shoppe in the Jekyll Island village. Not the one the millionaires built. The one regular folks can shop in, if they have enough money. I wanted a praline, and my oldest child wanted a turtle. The two of us walked out of the store with our treats and were greeted by the sight of a young family who seemed to be enjoying their day more than I was enjoying mine.
I couldn't help but smile as I watched the young man in the Texas A&M baseball cap wipe melted chocolate ice cream off the face of his own daughter. The fresh-faced young father looked like he couldn't possibly have been a day older than my daughter, the one standing beside me enjoying her turtle. The child with the ice cream on her face might have been 3 1/2.
I took the beautiful brunette - the one with the 18-month-old in her arms - to be the young man's wife and I felt like a voyeur as I stood for a minute or two and just watched them interact with one another and with their children. I could tell by the way they looked at one another that they were very much in love - with one another and with life itself.I could no more have resisted speaking to them than I could have resisted eating the last bit of my fresh confectionery.
"Are you an Aggie?" I asked the young man, in reference to the baseball cap that covered his closely cropped blonde hair.
"I am," he said proudly. Class of 2003."
Really?" I asked, surprised that he was so long out of college."What are y'all doing so far from College Station? Are you out here on vacation?"
"I'm stationed at Ft. Stewart," he told me, "and we just drove over to enjoy the day."
And then he added, "I just got back and we needed to spend some time together."
"I just got back," the Aggie told me.
I didn't have to ask from where, so I asked, "How was it over there?"
"About the same as the first time I was there," he answered.
The first time.
A young man who looked to be no older than my daughter had already served two tours of duty in Iraq.
"Really?" I asked. "There is no change?"
And then he amended his response. "Oh, no. there is. Things are lots better from the Iraqi stand point. They are beginning to take over and things are a lot calmer and everything will be OK soon, if we stay the course."
If we stay the course. His words. Not mine. Not George Bush's. Not John McCain's.
And then he said, "It just wasn't any easier to be away from them," nodding at his young family. "That's what I meant when I said things were about the same."
"Are you home for good?" I asked.
He smiled and said, "Yeah. Or until next time."
I didn't learn the name of the young hero in the Texas A&M baseball cap and I didn't want to steal any more of his time. I simply said, "Well God bless you all. Thank you for your service," and started on my way.
His young wife, however, reached out and touched my arm."We knew what we signed on for," she told me, "and as hard as it is, it's worth it. It has to be done."
I smiled and turned away because I hate for beautiful young brunettes to see tears forming in my eyes.
On April 19, 1775, the first American soldiers answered their country's call to arms and for 233 years now brave men - and more lately, women - have been leaving their families to serve on our behalf.
I don't know what kind of mood you are in today or what you have on your plate, but I know that each and every one of us can breathe free because there are about a million-and-a-half men and women in uniform scattered across our country and around the globe, making sure that we are as safe as we can be in a world gone crazy.
God bless them one and all.
Darrell Huckaby is a local author and educator. He can be reached at http://us.mc563.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=dHuck08@bellsouth.net.


Darrell Huckaby - Aggies come out in force for school and country
Darrell HuckabyColumnist
I tell you what. Those Aggies are really something!
I related a simple little story in this space last week about a young family I encountered at Jekyll Island. The husband/father - a Texas A&M graduate, was just back from a 15-month deployment in Iraq, you might recall, and was enjoying a day on Jekyll with his wife and two young daughters and I wrote about the sacrifice that family - and untold thousands of others - have made on behalf of our country.
Now this is where the magic of the Internet takes over.
A friend of mine from high school - one Jimbo Allen, high school quarterback extraordinaire - who now lives, I believe, in Houston, Texas - saw the column online. It seems that Jimbo - who probably goes by James now - has a daughter who matriculated at Texas A&M and he has become a follower of all things Aggie. He decided to link my column to an A&M message board - and that's when things got interesting.
Now let me say this. I didn't know an awful lot about the school in College Station before last weekend. I knew that a friend of mine who is now a retired Baptist preacher was dumb enough, when he was a college student at Baylor University, to let his then girlfriend, Doris, attend an A&M homecoming game with an Aggie student. I learned from him that the Texas A&M cadets kiss their dates every time the team scores and that the day Doris went to a game in College Station A&M won 70-0, or something like that. That's a lot of kissing. It turned out OK. My friend and Doris have been married for about a gazillion years.
I knew that Bear Bryant coached at Texas A&M before coming home to Alabama and that he took his first Aggie team to a quasi-death camp in a place called Junction and ran off most of the team before turning those who were left into champions. And I knew that the student body still stands en masse throughout their football games - creating a rather intimidating "Twelfth Man" effect.
That was about as far as my knowledge went.
Well, I know a whole lot more now, believe you me.
It seems that Jim Allen's post coincided with a special occasion at A&M - "Muster Day" - which occurs on April 21 every year. April 21 is Texas Independence Day and marks the anniversary of Sam Houston's victory over Mexican dictator Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto.Muster Day is a big deal at Texas A&M - marked with games and activities and a solemn evening ceremony at which speeches are given and the names of Texas A&M alumni who have died since the last muster are read. Those who knew the departed answer the roll call on their behalf.
But it doesn't end there. Musters are also held all over the world - and I mean that literally. Wherever two or more Aggies are gathered, a ceremony is held and fallen heroes are remembered. This year, the names of five people were called who died defending freedom since the last muster.
And make no mistake about it. Texas A&M takes Muster seriously - and she takes the sacrifices of her sons and daughters seriously, too.
I received hundreds of responses to my column. Hundreds. Every time I turned on my computer, dozens of new e-mails popped up on my screen. Some were short and to the point. "Thank you." "Well done." "We appreciate the kind words."
But others! Others were long epistles in which men and women poured out their hearts and bared their souls in an effort to explain how much they love and appreciate their school - and their country.
I heard from mothers and fathers who had lost sons in Iraq and Vietnam and other places around the globe. I heard from Aggies who had landed on beaches with names like Utah and Omaha - and Aggies who had served on Iwo Jima and Okinawa and, well - you get the picture. I heard from men who are stationed in Baghdad right this minute; men who drove 20 miles through potentially deadly streets to be at Muster with their fellow Aggies. I heard from wives whose husbands are deployed, thanking me for putting their husband's service and their own sacrifice in perspective.
Wives of deployed soldiers were thanking me. That is so backward!
All week, the e-mails came in from proud Aggies, each and every one full of heart-felt thanks for mentioning their Alma Mater. Hearing from all those wonderful folks made me want to get in my car and head for Texas and the A&M campus - one of the few places in this great land that I have never visited. Makes me wonder what a fellow has to do to become an honorary Aggie.
Well, I don't know about that, but I know this. If the entire nation was as full of patriotism and pride and esprit de corps as the Texas A&M family, well - all of our country's problems wouldn't be solved - but we'd be a hell of a lot closer to solving them.
God bless America - and God bless Aggies everywhere.
Gig 'em!
Darrell Huckaby is a local author and educator. He can be reached at dHuck08@bellsouth.net

Where in the world is D'Lyn Biggs?

I know some of you have be wondering what's been up this week. I've barely returned an email or a phone call or anything else. Sorry about that!!!

You see, I've been invited to go on a scrapbooking retreat this weekend to a B&B out at Round Top. It's a bunch of girls from the neighborhood, and I'm so excited I can hardly see straight!!!

But since I don't scrap, and I couldn't even begin to get excited about the prospect of doing so, I decided to spend my weekend quilting. Or piecing, to be exact. So I've spent this entire week cutting out quilt fabric. I've got three little projects to work on, and several American Girl doll outfits that need to be put together. BUT then I've got the grand pooh-bah ready to go.

A couple of years ago I made Mom a Christmas tree quilt. I've got it upstairs now, but I really want a King size one for our bed. So I'm making one. I can't wait to get going. I haven't had the quilting bug for awhile, but definitely have it now!

So have a great weekend wherever you are. As for me, I'll be out at Round Top trying not to gain back all the weight I've lost. (If this link works, you'll see that may be a MAJOR problem!!! http://www.alightuntomypath.com/album_thumbnail.php?album_id=recipes&scale_factor=1)

Big Hugs,
d.

Recipes Needed!!!

** Note: This will stay at the top of my blog until May Day!!!

Recipes Needed!

Team Tiara is putting together our first cook-book and we need your recipes!!! Please send your recipes to me via snail mail or email them to: dlynbiggs@yahoo.com

We need:
1. Recipes with clear instructions.
2. Your name as the "submitted by" person.
3. If you'd like your recipe included as an "In Memory of," "In Support of," or "In Honor of" please let us know which -- and your loved one's name.

Thanks for your help!
- d.

Happy May Day!!!

Happy May Day!! Wish I could bring you all flowers!

But since I can't, I'm going to give a shout-out to a few of my friends.

First, a couple of my friends, who just happen to be doing the 3-Day with me have started their own business -- http://www.prettypinklimos.com/. They have an incredible pink limousine headquartered in Cypress. If you're looking for a fun ride, they're the ones to talk to! It's stocked with tiaras and feather boas. Too cool!

Second, I want to do a shout-out for our friend, Anthony Patton. Anthony is with Stephens Financial in Dallas. He handles our investment "stuff" for us. If you know Anthony, you know he is one of those people who you just trust immediately. He's great at what he does and has tremendous resources at his disposal. He's really helping us "clean up" our investments -- Biggs hasn't always had the time to dedicate to making sure our money was working for us at its utmost potential. You can contact Anthony at anthony.patton@tx.rr.com or by phone at 214-509-0200 or 214-226-0885. Anthony's business runs the gamut -- he can help you with life insurance, mutual funds, etc.

And you know.... There's a funny story that goes along with this. He was in a meeting and an old friend of mine walked in. She heard him mention the name, "Biggs." She said, "John Biggs?" He said yes; they talked a minute. She said, "Why didn't I ever talk to them about all this?" Her boss said, "Yeah, why didn't you?" She said, "I didn't think they had any money."

Well... the fact of the matter is, you can't wait to get all this in line when you have money. You have to have the foundation in place before that. You can't wait to buy life insurance when you think you're going to die -- you've got to plan ahead and prepare for that. So if you're in the Dallas area, or even if you aren't, I urge you to talk to Anthony and see what he can put together for you. He's really good!

AND.... My final shout-out for the morning is for my trainer, Charlotte. She's starting a new bikini boot-camp up at the gym. It's Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10:30 - 11:30. You don't have to live in Fairfield to take the class. It's four weeks of classes and ends the day school gets out.

Does it work? Despite a crazy weekend with a fajita fiesta lunch and a celebration dinner at Red Onion, I still lost half a pound. And my BMI went down .1. AND since I had to weigh in a day early, I have to think it would have gone down even more by today!

So there are my shout-outs! Big Hugs!