Thanks to those who care...

9 is fine....

Really, Really cold day.....record setting cold. Could have cuddled in all day and ate comfort food...but I didn't.

Breakfast: Omelet w/ a little cheese, onion, peppers and a little ham. 2 slices rye toast w/ a lil bit of strawberry jam. Green hot tea and water.

Lunch: 2 lettuce wraps and a cup and maybe a half of beef w/ broccoli. Water and tea.

Dinner: Bowl of chicken noodle soup./ water

Snack: Piece of dark chocolate (small), a hot coco 80z. and 3 bites of Paul's cinnamon roll.

Oh and last night I had some organic chips. after i posted.

Computer out of battery, so that's all folks.

Crazy 8th Day....

Not too crazy actually. Crazy weather though....Brrr.. rainy now just in time for my run or walk, and getting colder by the minute. I know tuff it up and go...but you know, I'm getting older and I don't want to live that way anymore. Seems like everything I do is a "have to do it" so I am now living with a little less of that. Hey I'm forty....a new me, a more mature me, a more in tune with me:-) Today was a run errand day mostly- Hayden had doctor appointment this morning then I worked in office , ran errands for Aubrey, made homemade Chicken Noodle Soup and did laundry.....
Breakfast: 2 slices Ezekiel toast and a banana, 4 oz. grapefruit juice. Water................
Lunch: Ezekiel english muffin, scrambled egg and a slice of swiss cheese. Hand full of blueberries.Water........
Dinner: 2 cups Chicken Noodle soup, grilled (small) mozarella on whole grain thing with tomato and fresh basil., water...............
Snack: 4 carrot sticks, 1 small piece of dark chocolate.

Hangin Out and Hangin In There! Day 7

Did not want to get out of bed this morning...my vacation time from school is running out. So after I got Aubrey off and packed lunches I laid back down. So cozy, I love these cold mornings.

Breakfast: 1 pot. pancake (leftovers from last night) and oatmeal, w/ banana and strawberries and a dab of strawberry yogurt. 4 oz. Fresh OJ.

Cleaned Hayden's room....bored, wanted to get out of house...lunch with mom & Ericka at Panera.

Lunch: Tuna on whole grain, Onion soup (no croutons) Unsweet Tea, whole grain roll ( I know...too much bread) and I added butter....

Then sat at mom's and had a nice chit chat w/ my sis and mom! Nice day:-)

Dinner was not until 8:00 because I was on phone with Shawn helping her get her get her airline ticket. She'll be here February 8th! So we had gift card for Bonefish...why else would we go to that over priced place...sorry but it is. We ordered take-out.

Dinner: California Cobb salad. (Romaine, grilled chicken, mangos, pine nuts, tomato)

Now helping Aubrey (well proof reading her essay to PBA) she's gotta make a decision....

and sitting cozily with my warm fuzzy blanket...

Oh I fit in a 1/2 hour walk before dinner. Better than nothin!

It's Complicated:-) NOT!

What an awesome day. Began with an hour+ walk at 8:30 once the kids were off to school. It was cold, in the 30's????? It felt good though. Then spent the day with my mom filling out app. for her possible new housing. Then did some running around w/ Ericka and mom. Had mom over for dinner and then off to the movie, It's Complicated. Paul and I had already seen it, but I loved it and knew my momma would too....she did. Hayden and Aubs joined us and Paul worked at home on some new oil business. (My J.R.-he he) Great day, great meals, great movie, greatest family!!! Who could ask for more?

Breakfast: 1 slice canadian bacon, 1 egg scrambled, oatmeal, dab of yogurt, fresh strawberries, and blueberries. 4 oz. Fresh squeezed Grapefruit Juice.

Lunch: Panera w/ mom...Vegetable soup, Asian Sesame Chicken salad, small multigrain roll, and some of my mom's chips. Unsweet tea.

Dinner: Organic baked chicken (1/2 of a breast), organic green beans, a dab of rice, organic mashed potatoes.

Snack: A Peanut butter cookie flavored Lara Bar.

Lots of water....

One of those days......

Ever had one of those days where you don't accomplish much but were busy all day? That was today...So it was a huge success as far as my "change" of diet/ exercise is concerned. But hey, it wasn't a total loss.

Breakfast: 2 eggs scrambled, 6 small pieces of Kabasa and 1 slice ezekiel toast. 4 oz fresh OJ

Lunch: Moe's....Paul:-) Okay I could have said no. A small Joey Junior w/ black beans, chicken, cheese, (NO sour cream) cilantro, lettuce, salsa...and um yes the chips and salsa. Iced tea, unsweet.

Dinner: Outback- 6oz. sirloin, baby lobster tails, salad w/ vinegarette and veggies.

Water all day...

No snacks:-(

No walk/ run/ gym...don't ask- nothing went as planned and did I mention it's 30 degrees. Brrrr.

Better Job tomorrow, I promise myself.

4 in a row...going strong!

Up at 5:50 a.m.- packed lunches, folded a load of laundry, emptied dishwasher wished Aubrey well as she left for school. Vacation is over...it's a sad thing, it's been so cold here that I have to admit I was getting used to sleeping in a bit and cuddling up and watching movies. Christmas Holiday was definitely a well needed and appreciated rest. Today started off productive, and ended that way! It has been a good day. After making Hayden breakfast and seeing him off, I got busy in the office. Paul and I rearranged it, cleaned it, went through everything and threw out 3 garbage bags full. I balanced the check book (and trust me that takes awhile, I've let it go lately) then we cleaned up the garage and managed to get all the Christmas stuff to storage. Now I'm relaxing, and hoping to watch a good movie. No such luck, I've channel surfed and out of all my 500 channels I can't find one interesting thing. Ha! I remember the days when I was young and had 4 channels. I could always find something then. What's going on? Is my mind just so over stimulated by this modern world that I can't adjust. Or, is it that TV is really lousey most of the time? I think that's what it is. So anyway I'll get to it...keep me honest...what have I put in my mouth today?

Breakfast: 1 egg scrambled, oatmeal with a little dab of yogurt, fresh blueberries and strawberries. 4 oz. fresh OJ.

Lunch: Bowl of my homemade minestrone and an ezekiel turkey sandwich with fresh basil and tomato.

Dinner: small bowl of my homemade minestrone, 4-5 oz. grilled sirloin steak, and a small caesar salad with tomato and cucumber.

Snack: handfull of blueberries...

LOTS Of water...like always.

Well another good day...was planning to got to gym for strength training but didn't get there. It's okay though I was busy all day and there is tomorrow.

Day 3 ...No problem!

Today just flew by...but also seemed very productive. Church was awesome, helped a friend move, helped take down decorations at church, made homemade "Carraba's Minestrone soup" and relaxed this evening wityh my 3 favorite people. (Aubrey, Hayden and Paul). I never really even craved sugar????? Am I back or what?

Breakfast: 2 slices Ezekiel Toast w/ fresh ground peanut butter. 1/2 of a banana and water.

Lunch: California Rolls and water

Dinner: Hamburger (no bun) onion, lettuce, tomato, small salad with Balsamic dressing.

Snack: small organic apple, 4 Kashi crackers, Green tea, and lot's of water... or 5 dark choc. yogurt covered prunes. (small)- oh I nibbled on some soup (1/4 cup) (It will be ready tomorrow)

The kids go back to school tomorrow and it is my last week of SCF vacation. I plan to accomplish a lot of tasks in the office and get everything pending done. I'm gonna appreciate my brain time off for one more week.

Night Night...Brrr it's really cold out, feels good!

Day 2 -

Breakfast: oatmeal, strawberries/ blueberries and 2 strips bacon/ 4 oz grapefruit juice

Lunch: 1- 2 cups Turkey Noodle Soup and half of a cornedbeef sandwich

Dinner: Small blackbean and chicken w/ cilantro, lettuce and salsa burrito...( I was craving Mexican...so I did pretty good.)

Snack: Apple, Tangerine

Lots of water (like always)

1 hour walk with the dogs

1/2 hour walk downtown

Active all day

So it's been a pretty good day- busy, and not too many cravings. Feel good- Very cold......Brrr- saw the most beautiful moon tonight. It was huge and orange!

Not much in the mood to write tonight, but want to stay faithful to my posting.

So far So Good....:-)

It's a New Year, It's a New Day, It's a New Me!

Happy 2010- so it started yesterday, I figured why not end on a right note as well. No sugar and an hour walk for 12-31-09...I have done it before and it felt great. I remember telling people that I felt like I was 18 again, so why then did I revert to my old ways? That is the question I am planning to answer and resolve this year. I still haven't drank a soda in over 5 or maybe 6 years ago, and I haven't missed it at all. So anyway my goal for 2010 is to conquer this sugar addiction and eat healthy and exercise daily. I can do it, I will do it.

So for breakfast today I had:

(My usual): Oatmeal with a spoonful of strawberry yogurt (sugar free), fresh strawberries, fresh blueberries and 2 eggs scrambled. 4 oz. of fresh squeezed OJ and 16 oz. of water...

Lunch: 1 lettuce wrap and brown rice beef and broccoli/ water

Dinner: 2 eggs/ 2 strips bacon/ 2 slice ezekiel bread/ water

snack: apple/ nuts

Walked 31/2 miles ran 1 mile

Back to School.....

Paul & me on our 1st day back to school-...hopefully I'll be thinner in my graduation picture! LOL

Aubrey & Hayden on 1st day...

So we ALL started back to school on 8-24-09... It has so far been good, but definatley a life style change. Keep us in your prayers as you all are always in ours. God has amazing plans, I just wish I knew all the details...LOL.

These are not my words- but I have learned from this story!

By: Mac Anderson founder of "Simple Truths"

I first met Charlie Cullen during my sophomore year in college. Charlie had been ranked by his peers as the top speaker in the country, and he had addressed the leaders of many Fortune 500 companies. But on this day, as a favor to his nephew, he interrupted his schedule to speak to a small group of students at the Holiday Inn. For almost an hour, I sat there in awe as he spoke passionately about the keys to success. He talked about courage, humility, perseverance, and believing in your dreams. And he ended with a story I never forgot.
He said that he was in the Oklahoma City airport when he saw a woman walking along with three little girls. They were skipping and singing, "Daddy's coming home on a big jet! Daddy's coming home on a big jet!" All excited! Eyes lit up like diamonds! Wild anticipation! They had never before met Daddy coming home on a jet. Their mother was so proud of them. You could see it in her eyes.
Then the plane arrived, the door opened and the passengers streamed in. You didn't have to ask which one was Daddy. The girls' eyes were glued on him. But his first look was for his wife. Seeing her, he yelled, "Why in the heck didn't you bring my top coat?" and walked right past his adoring daughters.
You see, here was a man who had an opportunity to be great, and he didn't recognize it.
How many times a day, a week, a month do we have the opportunity to be great, and not even know it?
I heard this story over 40 years ago, but I never forgot it. It helped to shape my life in a very positive way...to focus on what matter's most.

I thought this was a great reminder of how our actions; if only for a brief moment, can brighten a life or repress it... I want to be a light!

Back in November I blogged about laughter...I think we all need to be reminded again:)

The best times I've had over the years have involved laughter.

Jesus laughs! How could he not by looking at all of us!

Children laugh... because they find the good in everything and everyone!


Even old guys laugh...(probably a good reason why he is as old as he is.)




& Even horses laugh!



You know, sometimes life just gets too serious...too busy...and too complicated. We don't mean for it to happen, but we wake up one morning to discover the fun has slipped away.
A few years ago a health study determined there are 3 main reasons people can't cope in life:
They live in the past.
They have a low self-esteem.
They can't laugh at themselves.
In fact, the study indicated that we need approximately 12 laughs a day to stay healthy!





So lighten up...laugh a little...find humor in your self and in life!

Too hot to think... or blog:(

How hot is it?

This hot!

May 25th 1992- A Blessing Came Into My Life!

Happy 17th Birthday to my beautiful daughter Aubrey. Wow! Time has flown! I can't believe I have one more year before you're off to college. You have been a wonderful gift... I cherish your life. You are creative, caring and full of adventure. You are growing into your own beautiful person, with your own special blend of unique qualities; a magnificent combination of feelings, hopes, thoughts and dreams.

My wish for you this year is for you to Keep trusting and loving God. Keep dreaming all your dreams and don't let anyone come between you and them. Always believe in yourself, Uncover Hidden Talents, Go on Adventures, Have Fun and Be Happy, Treasure Tiny Miracles, Embrace Life and Reach for the Stars!

and always know...I want to do everything I possibly can for you because that's what love does when it is strong and grateful and giving. I want you to know what a gift it is to be your parent...

I Love You!

Have an awesome 17th year-

Aubrey hangin out in the bay-fishin!-

My little baseball player... the only girl on the team!



Basketball... many wonderful years watching you play! (You could dribble in the crib!)





My little princess!



Stylin Profylin!

What a sense of humor- the photographer put this umbrella on you and your eyes said it all.

(1 month old)

Skater Girl! :

Reagan & Aubrey... (always lovin your family!)

All about havin fun!

Always up for an adventure!

Beautiful!

ENC1101: Explain Life Changing Event in your Life!

My Life Never Was a Fairy Tale

I was fifteen years old and thought I knew everything. The world was at my feet and I was happy. I was finally coming out of my gawky middle school years and was turning into quite a pretty young woman. My parents had been divorced since I was five years old and a “two” family life was really all I had ever known. I t never bothered me, as I saw it I had the best of both worlds. My dad was the successful parent (“My King” if-you-will) and when I was with him I felt like a princess in his castle. I was safe and secure and his vision of my future had nothing but smooth roads ahead. My life with my mom was comforting and cozy. An almost old fashion lifestyle that everyone loves or wishes they could experience. My mom was simple and required nothing but simple results from me.
It was Christmas 1984 and it would be the first one I had not spent with my dad. My dad had flown down to Florida to visit my sisters. I had stayed in cold, snowy Pennsylvania so as to be able to celebrate the holiday with my new boyfriend and his family. He lived across the street and his family was famous for the huge party they threw for most of the town. All my friends would be there and I didn’t want to miss out on all the fun. My Christmas was a happy one, I missed seeing my dad but I was a teenager and life was just beginning. I had all the time in the world to spend with him.
The party came and went and I was making plans for my Christmas break from school. I had talked to my dad on Christmas day and he had informed me that my gifts were in the mail and I probably would receive them by the 26th.
On December 26th I woke to a frightening cry coming from my mother’s room. I knew undoubtedly something was devastatingly wrong. I had never witnessed a cry like that before. It was like a soul being yanked from heaven. It was haunting. I couldn’t move. I just sat up in my bed and looked out my window. The window was cold and icy and I rested my forehead against it. I had no idea why my mom was crying or whom she was talking with on the phone. I just knew in my heart that my life was different and that I would never be the same. The coldness felt good on my face and I couldn’t move. I sat there in my bed, face smudged into the window and I called to my mother. “Mom, what is it?” I still couldn’t move. I think I cried out a few more times but I really don’t remember. My mind, my spirit and my heart were eerily still. The last thing I remember my mom saying to the person on the phone was “Why?”
My mom finally came into my room, she was an emotional wreck. Her face was red and wet from crying and she was hunched over. She sat on my bed. I couldn’t look at her at first. I was afraid. I knew it was something terrible, I could feel it in my bones. “Your Father was killed last night.” And then she paused. “He was pushed from his balcony at the Hyatt and fell eight stories.” “He’s gone honey, “she said. I just cried. I cried so much that my throat and eyes were swollen. I had been catapulted into adulthood by my father’s death. I would never be able to go back to who I was. My father’s death was an unexpected murder. He was forty two years old and I was fifteen. He died young and because of his death I would never be young again.
My father’s life ended on December 26th, 1984 and my new life began. The events leading to his death and the possibility that his wife and friends son were suspects only created a soap opera drama that I was now a part of. Suddenly lawyers and newspapers and police questioning were all a part of my life. It’s all my family could talk or think about. My life became insignificant. I wanted to be the princess again. I wanted things back to normal. After all I was going places, the world was at my feet and my future was bright. At least they were until he died. I decided to look for a new king. I looked for him in boys, alcohol, school, friends, and loneliness. My mother was there for me, but it wasn’t what I wanted. I was grief stricken, full of doubt, and guilt filled my every bone. I knew that if I had only gone to Florida with him, then none of this would have happened. I had been cheated; this was not what I had planned!
It took a long time for me to come back to me. The me that died with my dad. I walked a long road and have made many mistakes. I finally realized that this was my life. The life God planned for me. I grew up fast, but I grew up wise. I realized that my dad was not my king and I definitely am not a princess. I have come to realize that I cannot heal the things that life has done to me. They were done before I could realize what was being done. They made me do things in my life, things that were constantly coming between me and what I’d like to be. And it is in that way, that I seemed to have lost myself for awhile. I am back though and so is my dad. He just lives in my heart!

I Forgot How Much Fun Little Ones Are...

So my niece Bree is off to another race, this time in St. Croix. She is an awesome athlete and mom...she was however NOT a very good babysitter... Back in the days of her teens she babysat for me once! (Notice once...) I arrived home to find my bathroom door shut with towels all piled up in front of it. (so as to keep out the smell...) My son Hayden was learning to use the "kid's potty" at that time and Bree would have nothing to do with it! I won't elaborate, but I will let you know that my walls were never white again...just a nice shade of beige! It's kindof been the on-going joke between Bree and I over the years... So today I had the honors of keeping an eye on her little boy Kainoa. I documented my beautiful 2 hours with this wonderful little boy and asked him to tell his mommy all about it. (I don't believe in paybacks!!!! :) :) :)



Hey Mom Look at me I got a haircut!

Aunt Cricket cutting my hair... I did pretty good...it's mostly even...

I kept moving around and around- but she could handle it!

Aunt Cricket said I was a "big boy" and did a great job...

She fed me pretty good- and I ate everything!

I even was her "big helper" and walked Phoebe all by myself! We took a long walk

out to the celery fields and I handled Phoebe all by myself!

Hello...do you hear me? I'm talking to you.

Remember talking? Remember using the voice God gave us to communicate with others? That beautiful voice that you can hear laughter in...sorrow in....truth in...sarcasm in..strength in...love in...people can hear you in....

It’s happening more and more. You look around in a crowded coffee shop, or in the airport security line, or at a sporting event. Everyone, and I mean everyone, is on their cell phone, or sending a text message, or checking their emails. There is now a term for this state of mind: “continuous partial attention.”*

Granted it can be a great thing- I love sending "I love you's" to my children, I love staying in touch with old friends but...

I find it sad. There is a time and a place for that. I feel we're missing out on conversations with strangers at the table next to us or in line with us; all because we're looking at our dumb phones.
To surf the wave of information comin at ya’ everyday, you can only be somewhat accessible and somewhat inaccessible. For if you dive too deep into any one email, your inbox will fill up faster than you can say, “I’m going crazy!” You know you suffer from continuous partial attention if:-You don’t have time to stop and listen to a random street musician playing beautiful music, because who the heck has time for that when you have 13 text messages to reply to and 43 emails in your inbox?-You dare to read your text messages while you’re driving.-Hello???? You can no longer sit through a 2-hour movie at the cinema because you're too busy. (Watched the man in front of me surf- (the net) at the last movie I was at.) He was with his children too:-(
The answer to continuous partial attention is learning to ward off distraction and be present in the moment. By taking the time to turn off the cellphone before important meetings, by having the respect to be fully present when around your children (and for all you "children" be present when around your parents), and by daring to take 2 hours to set your mind free at the movies, or on a walk, you naturally become more present.

It doesn’t feel good when you’re at lunch and the person across from you is multitasking. It doesn't feel good when you're riding in the car with someone who is focused on their phone. You are trying to get their attention, but they keep checking their BlackBerry. How annoying! According to Tim Sanders and his book "The Likeability Factor," the way you make people feel is more important than how good you are at your job.
It feels nice to be in a meeting or out to dinner with someone who looks you in the eye and takes a deep interest in the subject at hand. As Maya Angelou said, “People never remember what you say, and they never remember what you do, but they always remember how you make them feel.”

One who is more present is a better parent. We best teach our children that information overload is not a positive thing. A wise one said, “Children don’t need your presents. They need your presence.” I have a mantra that I believe is a good example to set for children: Everyday of your life (no matter how busy you are), enjoy one beautiful moment, one delicious moment, and one funny moment.

God Bless You Everyone- & Remember Your Presence is your Present... make it whole. No one wants half of anything-

Can You Feel HIS Love?

Me and my music man...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_ssRKcNaiU&feature=email

Click and listen & read...

I've been spending a lot of time looking for piano music for Hayden. I was listening to a Garth Brooks CD and liked this song. I kept saying to myself, "This could be a Christian Song." Sounds like God is singing to me...to the world... I came home and found it on YouTube... and guess what? Someone else thought the same as me and made this video- It's awesome!

My New Goal...

Michigan Sand Dunes...

Be kind and merciful. Let no one ever come to you without coming away better and happier.-- Mother Teresa