This is me, as I am now, right this minute,
well, not this EXACT minute, I’m typing this second.
This picture is from March, 2015.

My Very First Place, All on my Own!
This picture is from June, 2015. I’m about 25 pounds lighter than the March one.

Yes, I’m aware my earrings aren’t purple. But, Mama gave ’em to me.
These pictures are end of August, 2015.
I began blogging, in August, 2014, as a way to hold myself accountable for cleaning up my house, and forcing it to “lose weight”, by de-cluttering. Little did I know that 8 months later, I would embark on a journey of forcing myself to lose weight as well!!
I downsized my place from a 4/2, 1200 sq ft apartment, to a 1/1 less than 600 sq ft trailer. I’m so much happier, both with myself, AND my home! (Update: Grew into a 2 bedroom, and regained 19 pounds, from Oct to Dec 2015. Working my way back down again!)
Who knows where I’ll end up next year! But, I hope it’s right here, still blogging! (Just as a 199 lb woman!!) Because I:
Love blogging!! So much fun!! AND
Love follows!! and comments!! I could kiss and hug followers, and comment-ers!!! (But not in a creepy way! In a sisterly way!)

I love you, my readers!!
Well, by now you’ve figured out that I’m crazy, and love purple. I also love Jesus. Thanks for coming to visit. I hope ya pull up a chair, and stay awhile, ya hear!
Nov 2016 Have regained 10 more pounds since last Dec. Huge frowney face!! 😦 Gotta cut out those ice cream bars!! Time to make another New Year’s Resolution- Back to GF, and sugar free!! And STAY that way, this time!
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Wonderful! Congrats X 8!
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Thank you, Sahana.
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What a fantastic journey you’re on. Thanks for the inspiration!
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Thanks so much, Shea. I appreciate the support.
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Wow Fantastic weight loss! Keep on inspiring 🙂
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Thank you so much, Suzanne!
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Great Job! I am glad you are lovein’ your new home 🙂
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Thank you so much, Mary Ann!
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You are very inspiring! I cannot deny but admit that your blog theme and color, might keep drawing me back to your blog pretty often, as Purple is my favorite color! 😀 Nice to meet you!!
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Thank you so much! Nice to meet you too!
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Congratulations on taking charge of your life. I am sure you are inspiration to a lot of people. I look forward to reading more.
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Thank you so much, Bernadette. I appreciate that!
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Wow. You are simply incredible. SUCH an inspiration. You made up your mind to do something, and you did it. Yeeeeeees!
I wish I could show you my goose bumps right now. And it’s definitely not because I’m cold! I’m sitting outside at the moment and it is hotter than boiled butt cheeks out here!
Excited to start getting your posts in my email🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷
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Thank you so much, Katie!
Boiled cheeks! Bwahahaha!
That makes me feel so good! (the you being excited about my blog, not the cheeks part! lol)
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Followed your blog. Check mine out sometimes.
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Thank you so much, AShda. I certainly will.
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I lived in an 18′ motor home about five years ago… it was interesting. But the hubs (whom I married about three years ago) likes more room than I do, so we compromise. He’s gotten rid of a good deal of junk and I’m living in a bigger house than I really like, but hey, that’s what marriage is all about, right? Compromise. We’re both content.
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WOW!! 18′?? That amazes me!!
So wonderful to hear y’all are both content with your compromises!
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Even that was too big for my tastes. ^_^ But I’m just weird like that.
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Not weird, wonderful!!
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It’s okay, I like being weird. 🙂
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I’m weird too. So glad we’ve “met”!
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Me too. 🙂
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😀
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Congrats on your successful journey and on you home too!
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Thanks so much, CArolann!
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Wow – what a journey! I hate when people say Well done! about something because it sounds patronising but honestly – well done with the weight – that ain’t easy! I never understood being overweight until I hit the menostop (why call it meno’pause’ when your monthly bug-bear actually STOPS?) I started expanding without eating more food and it was SCARY! I have to do some kind of regular torture (like exercise 😦 ) to keep my metabolism awake. Really good to meet you from across the pond. And I LOVE your mobile house – we don’t have many of them here in the UK that aren’t by the seaside and if you are lucky enough to get one – the law says you have to vacate it for 6 weeks of the year. So it puts people off – if they ever ditch that law – I’m in! But I would need two for all my craft junk 😉 Ours are smaller than the one you have.
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“Menostop”!! Perfect!!
Thank you, Gilly!
Vacate it for 6 weeks??? What in the world??
Oh yeah, the craft stuff!! I’m using my dresser drawers, my closet, a book shelf, the front porch, the workshop…
We don’t need to go there today! HAHA
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Hi there.
Good luck with the new home and the new weight.
Nothing creepy about a hug and a kiss, go for it.
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Thank you so much! Oh good, glad you think so!! Here’s a big one for you!! XXOO
Melinda
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Very inspiring 🙂
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Thank you so much.
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You have a great blog, it was nice visiting you Melinda 🙂 🙂
I love purple 🙂 🙂
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Thanks, Sunshine! Glad to meet a fellow fan!
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*wink wink*
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😀
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Awesome weight loss – you go girl! Have a happy life and keep on blogging
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Thanks so much, Kool!!
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Love your spirit! Thanks for making me smile. I will definitely pull up a chair. Ya hear! 🙂
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Thank you, Eartha! I’m glad you’re staying awhile!!
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hey melinda – I followed you on my other blog – and we shared a bit back earlier this year – anyhow, I am back to follow and just wanted to leave you a note – hope you are have a great month of spetember so far – peace
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Thank you! What was your other blog?
It’s been wonderful!
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it was “inthezone2001” but we had just met there too – ha@
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You like to move a lot? 😉
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No – I was trying an idea – 😉
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Oh, okay, variety is the spice of life!!
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🙂
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One day at a time.
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Definitely, Jim!
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I love this so much. I need to follow you and keep clearing clutter. So glad we connected! Xoxo
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Oh me too, Viv! You’re already in the Paper Purgathon! You’ve got some momentum going!
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I came across you, so to speak, via another Blogger. So I thought I would pop over and see what you are doing. Great way of thinking. I like that. positive and funny. Great partners in life. I shall look forward to reading more about your daily life/grind ( mine can be a grind!). How is your decluttering of everything going? You will feel lighter metaphorically anyway when you start. Anyway I am sure you will amuse me and I shall follow you with interest. Thank you. ( things happen for a reason)
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Hi Jackie, nice to meet you. Somehow, I missed replying to you. I apologize.
It’s going, very slowly. I want to do more, then… it just doesn’t happen. Till I have a post to write, then I hurry and do SOMETHING!
I hope I do amuse you!!
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Hello. Yes you do indeed amuse me, Its good stuff. I am like you. I love prevaricating and do my best work when under pressure! Don’t give up – anything!
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I’m so glad Jackie! I love making people laugh! I won’t!
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Hi Melinda! The word purple brought me here and I’m glad! Haha!
You seem like such a fun person. And congratulations on your achievements you posted on here. Don’t worry so much about gaining some, ICE CREAM is love! Haha. ❤
It's always nice to see someone who's a proud believer of Jesus! Keep the faith. ❤
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Hi Liz! Always nice to meet another purple person! Thanks.
Always love meeting sisters in the Lord!
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Dear Melinda, do you have a contact email I can use? I’d like to chat about some important things.
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Sure, Lawson, purpleslobinrecovery@gmail.com
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I’m pretty sure you’re my hero! lol I need to lose between 5 and 150 pounds. I am so impressed you took pictures of yourself when you were heavy. I’ve had a rule that I confiscate cameras. It would probably be better for me to take pictures so I would force myself to lose and take new pictures!
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Thank you, Elizabeth! I heard someone say one time, that your kids love you no matter what. If you never allow yourself to be photographed, what visual memories of you will they have?? So, big as I am, I let them snap away! Try putting a big pic of you on the refridge?? I’ve heard that helps some people.
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I thought about the memories I’m depriving my family of by being camera shy (phobic). Right now this is the way I look so I should allow pictures.
My biggest problem is that I’m trying to put weight on my husband after chemo and radiation so I’m cooking high calorie things. Oy.
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Yes, please, let them take your pix. At least a few!
Oh, well, I sympathize there. I’m sorry to hear about his illness.
Just eat a bitty bit, then fill up on salads?? I know that’s hard!
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That’s what I should be doing. On both topics!
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Good luck on your decluttering and weight loss!
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Thanks, Mark.
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Way to go, Melinda! This is kind of reverse–we actually moved into a bit of a larger house, and I’m still trying to declutter! I can’t stand organizing, but I don’t mind cleaning per se. That is, I don’t mind vacuuming, dusting, and that kind of stuff.
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Thanks, Stephanie! 😀
Well, that’s good! Could you come to my house??
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So excited to follow you here, Melinda!!!! I can officially say you are a fun gal too! 🙂
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Yay! It’s mutual fun girls!!
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Nice to meet you, Melinda. Thanks for stopping by “The Wild Ride” and choosing to follow it. Just FYI, though – I’ve stopped regularly submissions to TWR. Though it was originally created as a writing blog, it later morphed into the story of my journey with my mom as she walked the path of Alzheimer’s. Mom’s gone now–it’ll be two years in June–and I don’t often write about Alzheimer’s anymore. Not because it isn’t important–it is and will remain so until we find a cure–but because I need the break from all that mixed joy and heartache. BUT, I am blogging and I hope you’ll check out my blog on my WordPress website at http://www.melissacrandall.com.
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Nice to meet you too, Melissa.
Oh okay, thanks for telling me, Melissa.
I’m sorry for your loss.
I will come by and see you.
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Kudos to losing the weight. I know it’s not tough. Probably even tougher than decluttering after hoarding for many years. ❤
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Oh yes! And I’m so ashamed that I have gained back most of it.
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Oh I understand the feeling. I lost 30 lbs last summer and gained back 40. 😦
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😦 Discouraging, isn’t it? sigh
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Way to Go!!! You are an inspiration Melinda!!
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Thanks, Bella!
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Hi Melinda. It is so nice to meet you. Its gonna be fun following along with you and seeing the world through your eyes and words.
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Thank you, USA. I appreciate that! And thank you for the follow!
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I would like to let you know that I have nominated you for the Book Blogger Test See link: click here Hope you will be able to participate and pay this forward. Congratulations my blogger friend for being nominated and check out their wonderful blogs.
Hope everything is well with you
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Thank you so much, Favorite!! I’ll go check it out right now!! I appreciate you nominating me!
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