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Wine & Cheese ~ 64th Serving

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Romantic lunch setting with wine and food for twoWelcome to Wine & Cheese, my weekly, Wednesday whine session.

Every week on Wednesday I devote a blog to whining. Despite being a really happy, positive person, I do have things that annoy me at times.

I never let anything grate on my nerves for long but thought it would be fun to vent them periodically in my blogs.

I also feel that good things, the cheese in life, should be acknowledged as well.

I’m even going to throw in a bit of dessert, a piece of virtual chocolate, something that made me laugh or smile just a bit more than normal.

If you’d like to read the past editions of Wine & Cheese just click HERE for all of the past postings.

Sit back and join me now for the 64th serving of some wine and cheese!

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

WINE

:(  Really???? Chili cook offs in Farmville2?  Not like I have nothing better to do, with feeding a bazillion animals, raising crops and harvesting them before they wither in the fields, making things, and recently the addition of buffalo that I did NOT ask for, now I have to make chili?  What was I thinking letting myself get sucked into this game?

:(  If that is not enough, this morning when I gathered eggs from the chicken coop, the game informed me that I need more chickens. SERIOUSLY?????

CHEESE

:)  Okay so those were not great ‘whines’ but honestly I am walking on sunshine today and just don’t have anything to whine about.

:)  As I alluded the other day, the Marvelous one has met someone very special.  Okay more than special.  I received an email on the dating site and answered it.  The rest is history.  Amazing, glorious, joy-filled, walking on the clouds history.  It had me singing, “I’m Walking On Sunshine” in the shower this morning.

:)  Weeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!

DESSERT

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Wine & Cheese ~ 63rd Serving

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An assortment of breads, cheeses and two glasses on wineWelcome to Wine & Cheese, my weekly, Wednesday whine session.

Every week on Wednesday I devote a blog to whining. Despite being a really happy, positive person, I do have things that annoy me at times.

I never let anything grate on my nerves for long but thought it would be fun to vent them periodically in my blogs.

I also feel that good things, the cheese in life, should be acknowledged as well.

I’m even going to throw in a bit of dessert, a piece of virtual chocolate, something that made me laugh or smile just a bit more than normal.

If you’d like to read the past editions of Wine & Cheese just click HERE for all of the past postings.

Sit back and join me now for the 63rd serving of some wine and cheese!

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

WINE

:(  I wish the weather would make up its mind and pick a side…Team Winter or Team Spring.  I think things are off by about 3 weeks here, and so when it would normally be WARM every day, we’re still getting a few chilly ones with frost warnings at night.  While I love the smell of a fire burning (in the fire place) I am over the cold.  My sinuses would probably throw a party.

:(  I love the smell of fresh cut grass, but my allergies are not at all impressed.  Yep I am a hot mess and keeping Kleenex in business.  Very sexy, I know, but then no one sneezes with quite the delicate charm as me.  Time to double up on the Zyrtek.

:(  I have nothing else to complain about.

CHEESE

:)  A lack of things to complain about is a good thing!

:)  The weather today is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G, warm and breezy, blue skies….heaven help me to come back to the office when I run out at lunch, as it is going to be a real temptation to keep on going!

:)  I’m out in front on the Diva Den Biggest Loser contest, down 7 pounds as of yesterday and yes, I am gloating.  *princess waves*

:)  I have stumbled upon the Court Jester, he is attractive and very amusing.  More to follow on that. *wink*

:)  Yummy lunch today!  Subway 6 inch chicken teriyaki with cucumbers, spinach, black olives and onions.  No cheese, no sauce.  Baby angels dancing in my mouth!!

DESSERT

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Friday Confessional

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WOOHOO!!!!

It is F-R-I-D-A-Y baby!!!!

Confession, it is said, is good for the soul, so let’s get started!

I confess…

I am just about dancing on the ceiling!  Okay so I know it is likely water weight but when the numbers on the scale begin to DECREASE I get happy and very very motivated.  3 pounds down this morning and that is making all this water (I could seriously row to work) worth it.  And giving up my wine for flavored water, and measuring everything that is going into my mouth.  Next step is to add in walking.  I WILL beat my mom, sister, and sis-in-law in Biggest Loser score.

I confess…

Tonight it will be hard to be good.  Train ride, dinner, all with a dear friend and my kids and their SO’s.  But I WILL make an effort.  It is the start of ‘pre-partying’ or ‘tailgating’ for my 50th next Friday.  By good I do mean watching what I eat and drink.  I mean it, I have every intention of being very careful.  And grandma used to say the road to hell is paved with good intentions.  I’m screwed.

I confess…

That wine glass from yesterday’s post?  I should have stayed off of that website.  SO many amazing ones to chose from.

I confess…

When I was out with my friend last Saturday, the topic of Internet dating came up as that is how we originally met.  I got to strolling down memory lane, wondering what fodder was there for my novels in the making.  I have to say that it was fun, meeting so many men and enjoying conversation.  But there were a few horror stories in there as well.  It could make for a great book in and of itself if not a few chapters.  So, for shits and giggles, I checked to see if my profiles were still there, and they were inactive but accessible, so I activated them.  Holy Mother Of Freak Parades, into my mailbox came the full blown marching band.  Thankfully I’m able, due to past experiences, to weed through the clowns and ring masters to find the truly REAL and nice guys on these sites.  They are few and far between.  NO I am not looking to date, was just curious, and yes I know all about the cat and curiosity.

I confess…

I am about to go devour a wonderful salad with tuna and fresh avocado on it.  Avocado is a new thing for me, and while I’m still acquiring a taste for it, I’ll admit it ain’t bad!

Wine & Cheese ~ 62nd Serving

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Romantic lunch setting with wine and food for twoWelcome to Wine & Cheese, my weekly, Wednesday whine session.

Many weeks on Wednesday I devote a blog to whining.

Despite being a really happy, positive person, I do have things that annoy me at times.

I never let anything grate on my nerves for long but thought it would be fun to vent them periodically in my blogs.

I also feel that good things, the cheese in life, should be acknowledged as well. I’m even going to throw in a bit of dessert, a piece of virtual chocolate, something that made me laugh or smile just a bit more than normal.

If you’d like to read the past editions of Wine & Cheese just click HERE for all of the past postings. Sit back and join me now for the 62nd  serving of some wine and cheese!

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

WINE

:(  I am most unhappy with myself at the moment.  I logged in to my Sparkpeople account and was very disappointed in myself.  I had set a goal to get the weight off by my 50th birthday…and I failed.  Mostly because I never bothered to TRY to get it off.  I grew very comfy with the ‘curvy’ me that so many men tell me they like.  But I know it is not healthy and with high blood pressure and heart disease floating in the family, not to mention cancer of a few forms, I need to stop ignoring that my being a few pounds over weight is NOT a good thing.  There is nothing sexy about  poor health.

:(  I forgot my running shoes today.  I don’t run, but I do love to walk and when I was shopping for good shoes the folks in the running store fixed me up with these saying it would be better for me support wise etc.  I meant to bring them so I could walk at lunch.  I have on my work tennis shoes but those aren’t supportive enough.

:(  I just looked up my nightly glass of wine to see how many calories it has, and I’m not happy.  A 4oz glass (seriously who has a 4 ounce glass of wine?? that is a sip!) has 80 calories.  I’ll not be indulging in that for a while.

CHEESE

:)  To make it easier to stay motivated to get the weight off, the 3 oldest of us in the Diva Den are in a friendly little competition of Biggest Loser.  Mom and Boo are doing it through work, I am going up against them at the home front.  I plan to win.

:)  I had such a yummy lunch today!  Subway is just down the street so I opted for a 6 inch sub, building my own online to make it fit my calorie plan before I went to buy it.  Gotta love technology

:)  I love the perks of my job.  Not only my own office, blue jeans is acceptable attire, but I also have a 26″ HD flat screen in my office.  I’m munching lunch, watching the Reds game, and can watch all day if I like while I work.

:)  It is such a beautiful day outside!  I’ve got the office front door propped open, can hear the trains nearby, birds singing, this is really sweet!

DESSERT

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Friday Confessional

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*beebopping along to the loud music playing in the background, I dance my way over to the virtual confessional to let it all out*

I confess… 

I have had about a half a cup of coffee today, which should mean I might have slightly homicidal tendencies on any other day, or at least be driven by random episodes of road rage on the highway.  But it is Friday, I have a mega large, fountain Diet Coke I’m sucking down so I have caffeine, and everyone played extra nice on I-75N this morning.  I’m not sure if I should be disappointed or super thankful about that.

I confess…

The Diet Coke is from McDonald’s.  I was running behind and my brain was just not yet in the game from the lack of coffee, so I treated myself to a completely unhealthy breakfast sandwich, bagel/steak/egg/cheese and hash browns.  I seriously do not feel a bit guilty about it either.

I confess… 

my officeI really love my office!!!  I actually look forward to coming to work to be in my space and knocking out what needs doing.  It still needs some decorating but I seriously have no complaints.  Doesn’t hurt that I totally love this job, makes it all awesome!

I confess… 

I LOVE that we have trees right in front of the building and the one by the front door coming into the office/showroom is a magnolia tree, which had beautiful blossoms on it.  However, every time someone comes through the door from outside, or we leave it propped open for the spring breezes, the showroom is covered in petals.  I’m over the beauty of it all now, tired of vacuuming the carpet in the show room to stay ahead of the flower debris invasion. I do want to put a humming bird feeder outside of my window, and maybe a bird feeder for the other feathered friends of the area.

I confess… 

I am SO glad it is Friday! I am so exhausted lately.  I have fallen asleep sitting up reading the past two nights and I’m looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow!  I’ve busted my tail and deserve it with working 2 jobs.

I confess… 

I was contemplating buying a new car, well leasing one.  But I just couldn’t bring myself to do it.  Instead I spent the money to have the rack and pinion fixed so that I can keep  driving my car for a while longer.  I gave up waiting on the ex-hubster to keep his word to fix the shocks/struts (he kept saying he would for years prior to the divorce and when we were splitting up he gave me his word he would still fix them), hell is likely to freeze over first.  So once I pay off the steering fix, I will get those shocks done, and then I think I want to have my car wrapped for my Avon business.  I LOVE what our company vehicles look like, the designers at the place that did the wraps are great so it would be worth the money to have it done.

So, have anything you need to confess this week? Click the cute little girl up top of this post and link up, let it out, you’ll feel better!

Wine & Cheese ~ 61st Serving

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iStock_000003890177XSmallWelcome to Wine & Cheese, my weekly, Wednesday whine session.

Many weeks on Wednesday I devote a blog to whining.

Despite being a really happy, positive person, I do have things that annoy me at times.

I never let anything grate on my nerves for long but thought it would be fun to vent them periodically in my blogs.

I also feel that good things, the cheese in life, should be acknowledged as well. I’m even going to throw in a bit of dessert, a piece of virtual chocolate, something that made me laugh or smile just a bit more than normal.

If you’d like to read the past editions of Wine & Cheese just click HERE for all of the past postings. Sit back and join me now for the 60th  serving of some wine and cheese!

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

WINE

:(  I have been SO busy that I’ve neglected my blog.  It isn’t an intentional thing, only that it isn’t as big a priority as getting work done for my full time job and Avon business.  But hoping that I can fix that this weekend by writing ahead a bit and using the schedule feature to get things posted.  I miss writing!

:(  Where is Spring???  I am so tired of being cold, having my nose run, having to scrape my car off and warm it up in the mornings.  I want to roll the windows down and feel the breeze, get on a Harley and be someone’s fender fluff, sleep with the windows open in my room.

:(  My favorite TV shows are all coming to the end of their seasons.  This is both good and bad.  Good in that I won’t have to try to squeeze those in from Prime Time On Demand, bad in that, well…I’ll miss Daryl on The Walking Dead.

CHEESE

:)  I am loving my job!!!  I didn’t think I would like being back behind a desk and computer but it is SO much more than that!  It is an awesome feeling when you are helping people who have watched their lives turned on end in minutes due to fire, flood or storms.  Knowing that what we do restores their homes and memories is a super way to spend the day, and our days fly by!

:)  I keep being mistaken for being some years younger, and even asked a few times recently if I am my daughter’s sister.  I am not going to lie, I totally embrace turning 50, my new bi-focal glasses etc, but it does the ego very much good to be guessed or assumed younger!   I credit my skin care regimen!  You can read about that on my beauty blog.

:)  It’s Wednesday!  Middle of the week and we can see Friday if we stand on our toes!  YIPPIEEEEEEE!!!

DESSERT

Oh SO guilty!!!

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Friday Confessional

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Time to get some things from this week off of my chest!

I Confess….

I stayed up WAY too late last night.  Scandal was back on, and I had to watch it.  Sure, I could have watched it today on Prime Time On Demand, but it started and I was already curled up under a blanket watching TV so I stayed up.  Not good.

I Confess…

It was not good because this week my sleep patterns are all messed up.  Insomnia combined with night sweats is making it hard for me to get a decent amount of sleeping in, so I’m like a zombie walking around.  While that is mostly due to menopause, it is also somewhat stress as little things this week have all been ganging up on me and I am trying to study for my state exam next week and start two new jobs. UGH.

I Confess…

I am PMSing too…so if you crawl past me too slow and look like you might be packed with fat, sugar and calories, I’m likely to mistake you for junk food.  I’m craving chocolate and ice cream.

I Confess…

When I couldn’t sleep Wednesday  night I started googling what were the best free apps for smart phones.  I found some cool ones to use for my Avon business, some fun games etc.  but I also found one called Tagged.  I assumed it was a social media thing like FourSquare and Twitter, and being a social media junkie I created my profile.  Not sure what it is supposed to really be, but it was like a mostly free dating site or something. Suddenly I was getting friend requests and marriage proposals from all over the world.  Oh and you can “own” each other as pets…I was bought and sold and my value was simply outstanding.  And it drove me bonkers, I couldn’t keep up with all the “attention” so I dropped that one.  I am NOT looking for a relationship so it was a pointless waste of my time.

I Confess…

I am really looking forward to this weekend!  Tonight I am having dinner with a very dear friend.  Haven’t seen him in well over a year and we have a ton of catching up to do.  Both of us headed in new career directions and lots of things have happened to us both over the past year, should be a great, relaxing evening.  Then I hope to spend some time with the grandchildren this weekend, and take my granddaughter out to eat and hang for a bit for a date with granny.

Oh, How Pinteresting

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I found a new meme/hop to participate in on Wednesdays! My “Wine & Cheese” blog post will be up later today, but for now here are some of the things I’ve pinned lately that I want to try, remember or just thought rocked.

Because nothing beats working out and watching one of my favorite shows on TV

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I LOVE unique pieces of jewelry and this one doesn’t require gaging my ear!

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I thought it would make an awesome addition to my Etsy shop of handmade crochet items in the near future.

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I thought this was SUCH a cool idea that I made them as Christmas gifts. Instead of gluing stuff to the frames, I gave lots of scenic background paper to enable the receivers to change it up a bit.  Included dry erase markers and walla, instant message boards.

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This just cracked me up.

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My sister-in-law does seedlings each year, and I thought of her, how easy it would be to start them in ice cream cones then just plant the entire cone, since it will dissolve in the ground!

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Again, just made me laugh, I have a warped sense of humor.

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LOVE pink anything, and this outfit is great!

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Seriously adorable shoes!27936460160169837_EXMuGL8j_b

Being that I am a self proclaimed princess, thought I deserved a crown. But want to keep it somewhat inconspicuous as it would be rude to flaunt my royalty.  ;)

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Show Me The Money!!!

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In this economy we’re all about trying to trim back the budget and save some money.  And just in case you are wondering, there are only 352 shopping days until Christmas.  You’re welcome.   :)   Come on, you KNOW I am right, the holidays will come creeping up on us all again and there we are trying to buy gifts we have the money to purchase.  Credit cards are NOT the answer.  So, we have to resort to making things, which is a great solution.  I have no issue with being creative, and making things or giving the gift of time.  I did that this year, as did so many folks I know.  I think those gifts mean more when you give them.  But even gifts we make, they cost money.  I could make everyone a nice blanket but each one is $20-$40 in yarn, and that money isn’t out back growing on a tree!

Saving money toward a goal like the holidays, is a great idea.  However sometimes we can get busy and forget, or we spend the money we intended to put away.  Recently on Facebook this image has been going around, most recently on The Prudent Wife’s page, and I thought it was just brilliant.  The idea is that for 52 weeks, you put $1 for every week it is, into the savings account.  So, week 1, which just ended, I put $1 in my account.  At the end of this week, I’ll put in $2, and so on.  At the end of 52 weeks, there would be $1378 in the account, not counting any interest that builds up.  That right there is one nice chunk of money to be able to spend.  And sure, it will be needed before the 52nd week, but so what, you will still have over $1,000 at your disposal to spend.  Then just repeat next year.  Any money left over, put it in a new account and just LEAVE IT there, or pay off/down one of your bills.

By starting off small and building slowly each week, it will be easy to manage.  No doubt, I’ll quickly notice where I’m spending empty dollars on things I don’t need that could be going into that account, and as I watch the amount rise each week, it will  motivate me to keep on putting it in there.

In addition to this, so that I can actually have the money to put in my account each week, I’ll be more closely watching my purchases as to “want vs. need”.  And I’m making  myself adhere to a 24 hour rule.  If I am out and see something I want, I will wait 24 hours before purchasing it.  Chances are really good that not only will I want it bad enough to go back out and buy it, but I will have lost that initial “OMG I HAVE TO HAVE THIS” desire.  Heck I’ll likely forget about it altogether, which would definitely mean it wasn’t needed.

I do not know where this originated to give them proper credit, but here is the chart.  Happy savings to you!!!

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Friday Confessional

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PhotobucketIt is that time again…

I confess…
I am really loving this whole grandma thing.  2 grandchildren, who knew?  LOVING it.

I confess…
It was very nice watching the snow fall the other day, pretty and all wintery like.  Day after Christmas, on my grandson’s birth day, but I’m over the beauty thing now, it can leave.  Sadly it is going to snow some more tonight.  Seriously, where is summer???

I confess…
I had great intentions for the Grown Up Christmas List posts, but then I had to jump on the chance to go to school.  I’m certified now as a CNA but the line of blog postings…well those are not going to get finished this year.  And after the baby being born, I’m just kinda of a big, mushy hot mess right now. :)   In a good way of course.

I confess…
While I have not gained any weight over the holidays, I acquired or ‘renewed’ some bad eating habits.  Especially the Grazing Habit, that one where I just nibble all day then think “I didn’t eat a single meal today”.  Nope, more like 18 meals, not one of them ‘square’ unless you can find some nutritional value in Esther Price chocolates and Christmas cookies.

I confess…
I am addicted to yet another game.  My brother and daughter play Plague, Inc. on their phones.  Now I’m doing it too. UGH…but darn it is GOOD.

I confess…
I love my new cell phone.  I was stuck between iPhone and Samsung Galaxy SIII.  My daughter, who had an iPhone, is now a reformed iPhone user, she has the Galaxy SIII.  She loves her phone so I went with it too.  I am very pleased.  My other one is a piece of crap, kept shutting off and rebooting itself all day long.  I came very close to opening up the car window on I275 the last day of classes and tossing it under the wheels of a semi.  The screen is so much larger on this one, I can actually read my Kindle books.  I need a new Kindle, I miss it. Time for the Kindle Fire HD me thinks.

I confess…
I need to get back to regular, daily posts…

He Is Here!!!!

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It is currently 1:12am on 12/27/12.  I am sitting here sipping a glass of wine, unwinding from such an amazing night!

I arrived at the hospital at just after 3pm on 12/26/12 and went right up to the labor and delivery floor in search of my son and his wife.  They were there to give birth to their son.  I was blessed that despite a winter storm blowing outside complete with snow and freezing rain, Cowboy took me up there in a 4-wheel drive truck so that I could be there to hold my grandson shortly after his birth.  I had hesitated for a while, knowing how hard it is to have others there when in labor and after, but I just couldn’t stay away.

At 10:32pm, weighing in at 7 pounds, 6 ounces, and 20 inches long, Collin Patrick arrived into this world.  Shortly after his birth, the nurse came and summoned Ryann, the big sister, to come meet her brother.  They spent some time, just daddy, mommy, Ryann and Collin, before we all were ushered in to meet the newest addition to our families.

He is a beautiful baby!!!!

OMG I am just a mushy hot mess at the moment.  All tears of joy and excitement.  Melissa’s mom held him then handed him off to me.  Guess everyone knew that the grandmas had first dibs.  I was sorry my ex and his wife were not there so that grandma Judy could hold him too.

This is the best gift ever of Christmas, this wonderful little boy!

As a typical grandma, I’m sharing the photos.  :)

Collin Patrick at around 1 hour old.

Collin Patrick at around 1 hour old.

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Ryann and her new little brother, Collin

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Me and my grandchildren

#7, #8, #9 ~ My Grown Up Christmas List

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7 8 9To see the full list click  HERE

First, let me apologize for having to put 3 together in one post.  I’ve been sick and just not feeling up to sitting down and actually engaging  my brain into a post.  Thanks to the visit to the clinic, I’m good!

#7 ~ My Friend, Cowboy

Long time readers will recall this was a man I was going to marry.  Things changed, but we are still the very best of friends.  In fact we text and talk daily and sometimes multiple times a day.  He is one of my best cheer leaders to encourage me, and I certainly hope I am one of his.

As with all the men I’ve become serious with in my life, he is one of those I believe I was meant to help fix broken pieces of their hearts and souls, but not a forever love.  Friends but not meant to be lovers and spouses.

This time of year is often very hard on those that have shattered memories.  So for Cowboy I wish for a special Christmas this year, complete with a Christmas angel.  A renewed, inner child-like spirit of the holidays that sees it all through the eyes of innocence.   For some happy memories to be made this Christmas.  For fences to be mended wherever possible, and for the love of the Lord and the joy of the Lord to be his strength.  I believe in miracles and I wish several to come his way this Christmas season.

#8 ~ My Daughter-in-Law

As her pregnancy is winding down to the end she is doing all of those last minute things around their new house to be ready when my grandson arrives.  She is swelling a bit in hands and feet and I know she is starting to get tired. I pray for peace in her heart and spirit,  lots of good solid rest leading up to the delivery.  I pray God’s angels will watch over her and my granddaughter when my son is at work, and over him while he is working, bringing him home safely to his family each day.  And for an easy, complication free delivery and a very healthy mom and baby Collin.

I’m so thankful for her and her beautiful, spunky daughter that have been added to my family, giving me the new title of grandma.

#9 ~ For My Car

I really need my car to be right now, it has been fixed for multiple issues this year.  I need it to be reliable so I can get too and from school the next 2 weeks, and then to and from my job that I will be starting in January, Lord willing.  I need it to also keep my Avon business going.  I had to let that slide for a while without a car to drive.  I really appreciate any and all prayers to this effect so that I can accomplish these things and get myself back on track financially.   I have many bills that need catching up and then back on a regular payment schedule.

Friday Confessional ~ Derailed Diet Edition

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I confess… 
I did not get my 6th wish posted until this morning (it was due up yesterday) because I was just too tired and brain dead by the time I got in front of my laptop.  Gave up trying to get all the pieces in place and went to bed.  So I posted it this morning and the 7th will go up later today.

I confess… 
I totally went off the rails last night as far as my eating healthy and counting/tracking all grams of any type going into my mouth.

My son and his wife and daughter came over for dinner and grilled up some bacon wrapped venison steaks and OMG were they delicious.  The venison, corn and small potato were not the problem.  My choo-choo jumped the track at the peanut butter cookies, white chocolate peppermint M&Ms (available exclusively at Target) and a few beers.

*hanging head in mock shame*

Yeah, not really all that upset with myself over it to be honest.

I confess… 
There is cinnamon, walnut iced coffee cake sitting on the kitchen counter calling my name.  I am resisting at the moment but it would be best if the cats grabbed it and hid it some place far from me.  I’m weak in the area of sweets, I admit this.

I confess… 
I just caved and had a small piece.  I just had to have it.  I’m placing all blame on the cats for not acting fast enough.  Okay not at all…but then they have no interest in coffee cake.  We need a dog.

I confess… 
It is after 10am and I am still in my jammies.  I haven’t had a shower either.  And the worst part? I really would be just fine with staying like this all day, complete with the smeared mascara on my face from yesterday because I also confess I didn’t bother to wash my face before bed.  Just do not feel like getting myself together and getting ready to face the day.  Some times I just LIKE being lazy.  Okay I love it.  However that isn’t an option today so I’ll be headed to pull myself together as soon as this post is finished.

#5 ~ My Grown Up Christmas List

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5To see the full list click  HERE

#5 ~ My Brothers

I  love my brothers.  Both are amazing men, and great fathers to their children.  Both have good hearts, and both have made some mistakes in life.  But both have done their best to fix any wrongs and make them right.

Baby brother has a birthday tomorrow.  I still remember coming downstairs to see what St. Nick  brought us to find out my mom was at the hospital having him, and shortly after that learning I had another brother.

My other brother, younger than me, has a big event coming soon in his life as well, one that makes me very happy for him.

I wish them both all the happiness in this world, and love and blessings.

Family is the most important thing a person has on this earth, Grandpa Fred always told me that.

People are human.

People make mistakes.

People sometimes can be in so much pain already that they can find the demon under every rock, even if it only looks like it is there.

And sometimes people purposely set a stage to make others think there is a demon when there isn’t even a rock.

My prayer is for communication, forgiveness where it is needed, and understanding to see the truth.

I love you both with all my heart.

#4 ~ My Grown Up Christmas List

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4To see the full list click  HERE

#4 ~ My Ex-Husband

This wish is for my ex, Pete.  We were married just under 22 years before the divorce was final.

My wish is 2 fold really.

The first part is that the day will come when he can forgive whatever perceived wrongs he feels I’ve done, and that for the sake of our children we could be around each other in some form of harmony.  I’ve long ago forgiven him for those things I felt he did to me and pray the same may come my way from him.

He is a good man, was a good husband and a fantastic dad.  We were pretty much as close to oil and water as it can get as far as personalities.   I have a multitude of very happy memories from our marriage, and while losing him was incredibly painful, as the song says, “I could have missed the pain, but I’d have to miss the dance” and for all the good memories I have in my heart to treasure, that pain was worth it.

The second part is for his new marriage.  He is getting married next week to a very wonderful woman who is beautiful inside and out.  I really do in all sincerity wish them a very happy, joy filled marriage that lasts the rest of their lives.  I hope and pray (yes really do pray for them) to be showered with many blessings and good things in the years to come.

#2 ~ My Grown Up Christmas List 2012

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2To see the full list click  HERE

#2 – My Son & His Family

My second wish on my list is for my son and his family.

For his beautiful wife and he to have a love that lasts their lifetime, with “Just Enough” and be faithful and loving to each other always.

For his beautiful little girl, who to him is every bit as much his as his soon to be son.  For her to grow up to be a Proverbs 31 woman one day, who has a heart that desires to serve the Lord.

For his son, who is due to arrive this month, may he be born healthy and strong, and that he will grow up to be a man of God, and make his parents proud.

May all their lives be full of “just enough”, always.

Seen as part of a post on another day, entitled “Just Enough”. Author unknown.

“I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.

I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.

I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.

I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.

I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.

I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.

I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.“

- Author Unknown

Ready, Set, Go!

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Once again I’m going to make the attempt to keep up with the fitness journey posts.

I decided that I would do this as a way to be accountable, and maybe even inspire someone else.  Hopefully, others will come along that inspire me too!

You can read about my purpose behind all this in the My Fitness Journal – Making Marti Marvelous section.

I began this week with reactivating my SparkPeople account.  It wasn’t inactive, just sitting there unused.  Not so much anymore.  I got on the scale and nearly stapled my mouth shut when I saw the results.  I don’t FEEL like I weigh this much but I do.  I don’t look like I weigh 183 pounds, but I do.  And that is not acceptable.

So I began tracking what is going in my mouth and that is always an eye opener for me.  I am a grazer when I go through my day.  Open fridge, grab something to chew on.  Wander to the kitchen for coffee, reach for a snack to munch.  And so goes my day.  Trouble is I don’t reach for the healthier options.  I go for the crap.

51YPNYK1B5LExample: cookies!  Pecan Sandies at 170 calories for 2.  UGH.  I don’t usually get by with just two…more like 4 or 6.  Yeah, that isn’t helping one bit.  10 grams of fat in 2 of them isn’t good either. That racks up to be 340-510 calories just on that one trip through the kitchen.  10-30 grams of fat, as opposed to the 3 grams of protein. Not a healthy or wise choice.

I could have 5 large baby carrots and rolled back out with only 35 calories.  And once I stopped eating sweets the first thing I noticed is just how sweet carrots are, and green grapes.  I can have a whole cup (may not sound like much but measure them out) for 110 calories.

Last night, instead of grabbing junk for a snack, I decided to go with a serving of raisins, green grapes and baby carrots.  3 servings of fruits and veggies in one sitting. First of all that is high volume food so it wasn’t easy to eat all of it!

1 cup of green grapes
1/4 cup of raisins
5 baby carrots.

It took a while to eat it all, while sipping water.  I was ready to just stop, but I also had not hit my minimum calorie intake of 1200 so I had to finish.  It was SO good.  I was more than satisfied by the time I finished.

I’ve also been told that often when we think we are hungry, we actually are dehydrated and need water.  I’ve taken to keeping up with 8 glasses of water a day.  I carry around my 24oz tumbler that is spill proof and filling it 3 times a day.  That has helped me get the water I need to drink, and it is healthier than a Diet Coke.

ProduceI’m going to be getting very familiar with the produce section at the store, and hopefully over time, with much determination and help from the site, I will be successful this time.

Friday Confessional

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FridayConfessionalMamarazzi

AH Friday at last.  Time to confess for the week.  Confession is good, they say, for the soul.  It can also make for a good post, though if you came here looking for “naughty” stuff, sorry, I’m being a ‘good’ girl, no seriously naughty things to share.  And this is a family friendly post, after all.

I confess… 

Despite the decent efforts, I did not lose a single pound this week.  But I have to admit I broke from the restraints, and chewed my way to a few beers and snacks that, while I recorded them, weren’t good choices.  Last night, my snack was baby carrots, raisins and grapes.  Oh and water.  No beer.

I confess… 

I figured out how to get an additional handful of calories into my count.  150 to be exact.  I now prepare my old fashioned oats in water rather than whole milk.  Even with a bit more brown sugar to flavor it, I’ve managed to carve out some play room to add other things like nuts or raisins, or even banana slices.

I confess… 

It is most unlikely that I will give up the coffee in any amount.  I like coffee, even if it makes the breath smell like, well, butt.  Being fairly sure that I’m at least somewhat ADD, based on how I am without the coffee (ie: 1000 thoughts flying around in my head and I cannot focus at all on one), I think for the sake of daily accomplishments this is good.  Especially if I’m driving a car.

I confess… 

Last night I was mean to my cat.  I took her little fuzzy away from her again.  She was playing fuzzy soccer all over the room, driving me bonkers when I was trying to sleep.  The look on her face was priceless when she realized it was now mine, under my pillow, under my head, where she wan’t going to get to it.  She plopped herself down by my leg and pouted.  I fell asleep so I guess she was there most of the night.  She came right up to my face this morning when I stirred and just glared at me until I gave it back.  Sadly, she won’t ‘learn’ anything by it, so it won’t be the last time I have to take it away.

I confess… 

I don’t have writer’s block…I have total ideas for posts static confusion.  I have SO much I want to write about but cannot ever nail it down to one.  Nothing feels right.  Maybe I need more coffee.

Monday Quiz About Me

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Acting Balanced

Welcome to Monday Quiz About Me - hosted by Acting Balanced and Touristic

Here are FOUR QUESTIONS that everyone can answer and then you have the option to add a fifth question of your own for those who are visiting your blog to answer in the comment section, along with commenting on the four standard questions you answered!  Click the badge above to link up and add it to your post:

1. Do you decorate outdoors for the holidays?

2. What is the best thing about office Christmas parties?

3. Gloves or Mittens?

4. What do you think of Secret Santas?

**Bonus question for visitors to the post to answer**

5. What is your favorite holiday indulgence that you only find during this season?

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

1. Do you decorate outdoors for the holidays?

We put up lights but not a lot of them.  When I was married the outside was always nicely decorated on the marital residence.

2. What is the best thing about office Christmas parties?

NOT having them!  We never had parties in the 26 years I worked for the company, that included spouses or significant others.  It was usually a ‘party’ all day while working and frankly I do not miss those one bit!

3. Gloves or Mittens?

Mittens are warmer and I love them!  Gloves when driving though, I don’t feel I have a good control of the steering wheel in mittens.

4. What do you think of Secret Santas?

They can be fun.  I prefer the Secret Encourager program at my church with the Ladies Outreach.  You fill out slips with some general information and then they go in a ‘hat’ and are drawn by someone who secretly encourages you all year long.  I love that!

5. – Bonus Question – What is your favorite holiday indulgence that you only find during this season?

Eggnog shakes!  McDonald’s has a good one.  But by far the best is from UDF (United Dairy Farmers) and because they are only available during the Christmas holiday season, they are a wonderful treat.  I shudder to think of the calories and fat content, however.  I’ve never looked, just don’t want to know!

Day 25 ~ 30 Days Of Thankfulness

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Today I am thankful for food to eat.

If my weight is any indication, I have an abundance of food.

So many go to bed hungry, and I can simply walk into the kitchen and find plenty to eat, is something to be very thankful.

The fact that I’ve reactivated my my Sparkpeople account again is a good indication that I’m not lacking for food!