Peanut Butter Ball Time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:
2 sticks (1/2 lb.) real butter
2 lbs. powdered confectioner's sugar
2 cups creamy peanut butter
1 large package chocolate candy-making chocolate

you will also need - waxed or parchment paper, toothpicks.

Melt butter and stir in powdered sugar and peanut butter -- mix to a dough-like consistency. Form this mixture into balls, rolling in your hands until firmly formed and smooth. Place in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes to harden.

When balls are firm, melt candy-making chocolate per instructions on the package (the microwave method is easiest and works great). Use a toothpick to dip each ball 3/4 of the way into the melted chocolate and place on waxed paper or parchment to cool. For 'buck-eyes,' leave the undipped spot bare to reveal the peanut butter and sugar center. I prefer to cover this spot by spooning more chocolate over it as it is drying. (note - if you dip the entire ball into the chocolate, it is hard to get out without falling off the toothpick). Allow balls to cool. Store in a sealed container between layers of waxed paper. Recipes makes approx. 3 doz. balls.

Christmas

This Christmas is different for me.  I am trying my best to focus on the reason for the season and not get caught up and stressed on all there is to do before the BIG day.  I am thankful for so many things including my family, friends, my health, and my job where I feel like I make a difference in peoples lives.  I want to enjoy the simple things like driving around looking at lights, drinking hot chocolate and listening to holiday music.  I had a patient tell me today she wished we had Christmas music playing and I whipped out my phone and allowed soft Christmas music to play in the background.  I treasure those special moments when I can help be a small part of joy in someone's life.  I pray daily to be the light for others as God allows me to do the work He selected for me and I try to remember every time that I feel that prayer is answered.  There will always be things I want in life, but I never forget there are always someone in need.  I wish I had the means to richly bless everyone that God lays on my heart, but I know I am doing and giving what the ultimate Maker chose for me.  Funny I started this post with intentions of posting all the little things I would like if we were exchanging gifts, but I really have all I could ever need.

Collard Greens

I made the best collard greens I can ever remember making yesterday.  If you are not from the south you may not have an appreciation for these and I didn't when I was young, but I have eaten more than my fair share of these.

1 bunch Collard Greens
EVOO
Smoked Turkey Wings
Sugar
Butter
Salt/Pepper
Vinegar

To prepare greens wash them thoroughly and then fold in half to cut out stem that runs the entire length.  After doing several then roll the leaves up tightly like a cigar and then cut into 1/4 inch strips and then cut those to produce nice bite size pieces.


Place prepared collards in large pot with smoked turkey wings and enough water to submerge lower collards and wings but not enough to submerge them all because they will shrink down.  Pours some EVOO liberally over pot of greens.  Salt and pepper to taste and add a couple of tablespoons of sugar and a splash or two of vinegar and place a couple of tablespoons of butter or margarine on top. 

Cover and allow to cook down stirring occasionally.  Repeat several times adding water as needed but being careful not to add too much so the greens remain flavorful.  I let mine couple of hours (about 3) until the wings were falling off the bone.  I removed the skin and bone once that happened and replaced the meat into greens and broke up meat to distribute. 

Serve with corn bread and allow some of that wonderful juice to soak into corn bread.  It's a southern thing, and I was just craving them this weekend and they were wonderful!!!!

Chocolate Candy...in the crockpot

Crockpot Chocolate Candy
2 lbs (36 oz) salted dry-roasted peanuts
4 oz (4 squares) German’s sweet chocolate
1 12-oz package semisweet chocolate chips (about 2 cups)
2½ lbs white almond bark

1. Put the peanuts in the bottom of a 4-quart slow-cooker. Layer the chocolate over the peanuts, beginning with the sweet chocolate, followed by the chocolate chips, and then the almond bark. Set the temperature on low and cook for 3 hours. Do not stir the mixture.
2. After 3 hours, stir the mixture with a wooden spoon until smooth. Drop the candy into cupcake pan liners, using about 2 tablespoons per liner. Allow the candy to cool completely before removing the cupcake liners. Makes 30 to 40 pieces.

If you can’t find almond bark, substitute white chocolate chips. 
(Ours made more than that, more like 75 –80 pieces.  I think it depends on how much you put in the liner.)

Chocolate Oatmeal No Bake Cookies

Chocolate Oatmeal No Bake Cookies
1/2 C Butter
2 C Sugar
1/2 C Milk
4 Tbsp Cocoa
1/2 C Peanut Butter
3- 3 1/2 C Quick cooking Oats
2 tsp. Vanilla

Add the first 4 ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil, and boil for 1 minute. Stir in the next 3 ingredients and drop onto wax/foil paper. Let cool until set. 

I made these cookies a lot when I was young.  Thanks to Pinterest they have resurfaced.

Smoked Sausage Bake

This was really good and relatively low in calories since I use fat free smoked sausage.  It made an easy weeknight meal.


Ingredients:
1 lb. smoked sausage
1 red pepper
1/2 onion
2 medium yellow squash
salt
pepper
olive oil

Directions:
Preheat your oven to 375. Cut the sausage and veggies into chunks and toss them in the olive oil, then season with salt and pepper. Bake for 30-40 minutes.

Turkey Chow Mein Casserole

Photo and recipe from Mennonite Girls Can Cook Blog.

This is in the oven as we speak.


Ingredients:

•  2 cups chow mein noodles
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 cups cooked turkey, cubed
• 1/4 cup chopped onion (red onion adds a little colour)
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1 can sliced mushrooms, drained
• 1 small can sliced water chestnuts, drained

 Topping:  Crushed potato chips, sliced almonds or chopped cashews.

Method:

1. Put chow mein noodles in the bottom of a greased 2-quart casserole.
2. Combine all remaining ingredients and spread over the noodles.
3. Bake uncovered at 350° F for 30 minutes.
4. Remove from oven and add desired topping.  Bake for 10 minutes longer.

Reindeer Land

My son has always admired the animated reindeer at Christmas time.  I surprised him by bringing home two for our front yard.  They are not exactly like these, but you get the idea.  He LOVED them!!

Bottle Tree

A friend of mine has this really cool bottle tree next to her screened porch that is so pretty.  I admired it and she offered to let me come on her property and cut a tree and take it home to make my very own.  Although I loved this idea, I knew that since I can't get my new mailbox planted I wasn't likely to get a dead tree planted :)  Anyway I found an iron version at the holiday craft show yesterday and I instantly stepped into the very long line to get one.  I came home and immediately planted it.  I may move it because it isn't as tall at home as it was in the car ride home, but it is easy to do.  I now have to find some blue bottles on ebay because I don't drink wine to get bottles the way most folks do.  Of course my husband thought I was crazy for getting it and he said it looked like something from a yard sale.  I told him he has no style and it is just jewelry for the yard.  Men!

Sweet Potato Casserole

Ingredients:

• 3 cups mashed sweet potatoes
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• .
• Topping:
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup flour
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Preparation:

Combine first 6 ingredients. Pour into a buttered 1 1/2 to 2-quart casserole dish. Mix remaining ingredients together and sprinkle over top. Bake at 350° for 30 to 40 minutes, until hot and browned.
Serves 6 to 8.

I have made many varieties of this casserole, but found that I did not have one on my blog.  This is the one I made yesterday for Thanksgiving and it was wonderful. 

Breakfast Casserole

You can make this with bacon, ham, or sausage but I always use sausage because it is easier for me.  You assemble this the night before and just pop in the oven in the morning.  This is great for holiday mornings because it can bake while you are doing other things.

Brown 1 pound sausage and drain.
Beat 6 eggs and add 1 t. mustard, 2 cups milk and salt/pepper.
Cube 4-6 slices of bread.   (I use regular sliced white bread but you could use what you have.)
Line sprayed 13X9 baking dish with cubed bread.
Top with cooked sausage.
Sprinkle with 1 package shredded cheddar cheese.
Pour egg mixture over top. 
Cover and refrigerate until morning when ready to bake.

Bake 350 for 30-45 minutes until set.

I SURVIVED MY FIRST 5K!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I didn't die and I wasn't last so all in all I consider it a success.  I don't have my time yet, but it will need improvement, but that is okay with me.  First one done!!!!!!!!!!!!

Running Update Week 11

Week 11...Just to keep me honest I am checking in. After reaching the milestone of 30 minutes continuous running I have now started the program over at a faster pace since all my body systems have now adapted. If you know me I look do not just DO something, I like to do it WELL so I will keep chugging along for now. My body is no longer in shock every time I lace up my shoes and I actually need new ones now. I also look forward to my runs again to see what I can make myself do. YAY ME!

Pumpkin Bread with Mini Chocolate Chips....YUMMY

3 1/2 c. all purpose flour
3 c. sugar
2 t. baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
4 eggs
1 can pumpkin ( not filling)
1 c oil
1 c water
1 pack mini chocolate chips

bake at 350 for 60-70 minutes. 

yields 2  9 inch loaf pans...plus some mini muffins :)

It's a Southern Thing

When the crisp fall air begins we all know in the south that it is time for beans.  Pinto beans with corn bread specifically.  We like to crumble the corn bread in the "juice" pintos and eat it like that.  This is one of those things you don't really like as a child but then you grow up and want it because it reminds you of all those childhood memories with grandma making pintos and then you wonder why you didn't like it as much as a child.  A meal in itself!

P. S.  That meat in the beans is ham in all it's goodness.  Now I just need to make some good old sweet tea to make it complete.

Running Update

 UPDATE:  I have now lost count of my weeks. ...I am 9 or 10, but it really does not matter anymore because I want to continue, I will continue and I look forward to my runs even though they are still very challenging and I had a rough week of CNS fatique recently that made me think I was going to die.  

I have altered my running plan to try to increase my speed and distance.  Once I made it to run 30 minutes continuously I felt I really needed to back up and start working on intervals to get me into better shape.  I am thinking I probably won't run the 5K this weekend and that is okay because I have been running consistently for over 9 weeks and that in itself makes me happy.  I want to run the 5K when I feel most ready and I don't want it to end up being a discouraging thing instead of a positive thing because I am hard on myself.   I will keep you posted.  I am drinking water now - woohoo and eating more fruits each day so I am trying very hard to change my lifestyle.  I am really not dropping weight yet, but I am proud and happy with my progress and that is what I want.

  I am a runner now...not a fast one, but a runner!

8 Weeks DONE

28 Minutes straight baby!!!

Meal Plan for the Week

Salmon Patties

Chicken Pan Pie

Spaghetti

Mexican Chicken Soup

Grilled Marinated Pork Chops

Ikea Meatballs ...maybe

Hello

It is hard to believe how infrequently I get to update my blog lately.  I guess life has various seasons that we go through and recently I have not had time or content to write about.  I am focusing on making some changes for myself that I hope I can stick to and will improve my quality of life.  I am on week 8 of my couch to 5k training.  I have been excited and discouraged all at the same time with this.  I ran one mile continuously this week and was really down on myself that is all I could do and that I am no faster than I am, but then I tried to pick myself up and realize I started this program running (jogging at best) 60 seconds at a time.  I guess I expect too much from myself.  I have been eating better most of the time and I have actually tried drinking water (which I hate).  With all of this I still have not lost one red pound!!  I am not doing this as a weight loss only thing, but I admit that if the pounds were dropping somehow those runs might not seem so difficult.  I still have that little voice inside my head that one day wants to complete a marathon and then I look at where I am and think she is one crazy lady.   I still think we are eating out too much.  I try to pack my lunches but I get bored with them easily and it seems like nights during the school year have so many obligations and I am so tired only about half the meal I plan actually get made.   I am trying to make it work, but blog stalking is about all I have accomplished lately. 

6 Weeks

Yesterday completed six ...count em s-i-x "6" weeks of 5K training.   Yesterday was the first time I have not completed the mission as scheduled.  I had run the last week and a half intervals on the treadmill due to timing, but yesterday was beautiful and I wanted to savor and enjoy the outside so off I went.  I probably should have prepared and drank more water, but at this point I really thought if my program says to run 25 minutes straight without stopping that my body would just do what I told it to do because it had already been surprising me.  WRONG!  First there was the dead snake...when I first say him/her in my path I wasn't entirely certain he/she was dead but my options were oncoming traffic, breaking my leg going off the road or believe it to be dead as I thought it was.  Thankfully it was dead and I just had to run over it....have I mentioned I hate snakes.  Anyway at this point I am thinking I am pretty tough and I got this baby licked.  I can see my destination where I will turn around for my halfway point and thinking it looks pretty far away.  Next thing I know I am right there in this large parking lot making my turn and about to head  back when BAM...my legs just stopped running (jogging at best really).  Stopped!  I am thinking to myself and looking down realizing I did not tell my legs they could stop, but they just did like it or not.  I walked for about a minute and was on my way back and it was then feeling really, really hard.  I felt like my legs were lead!  I could see the end in sight and my house was in full view and I thought I can do this and guess what happened - you guessed it...my legs just stopped.  Again I was confused because I thought they did what I told them to do, but I realized they had a mind of there own.  At this point I wanted to cry.  I was feeling very defeated and could not understand.  I know there were cars in both directions, hot humid weather and a wind that I had not had on the treadmill for the last week, but I still felt like I was ready.

Later I looked it up on the internet and it seems my muscles ran out of glycogen and this happens even to marathon runners and the muscles basically quit on their own to recover.  Who knew?  I guess I should have, but today I have been able to reflect and realize that even though I have not lost "one red pound" as I like to say, I have gained a lot!  I have actually stuck with this program and exercised three days a week for six weeks straight.  That is huge!  Not only that, I actually like it and look forward to it.  Even though I do breathe hard, my lungs and heart are not what has been the hardest...my muscles and legs are my sore areas.  I am proud of myself.  I want to complete this.  I am still not doing the distance that I think I need at this point, but I am happy that after this amount of time I still WANT to do it! 

Tomorrow I turn 44 years old and it is time I take time for me!  My house needs cleaning and the laundry is behind and mildew on the back of the house needs to be cleaned, but right now I need to focus on me and the rest will come.  I like this new me.

5 Weeks Done

I may not be fast, but today I finished week 5 of my training that consisted of 20 minutes of continuous running.  I had to psyche myself up because I really didn't think I could do it.  I did it on the treadmill which probably made it a little easier but I was still sweating like crazy.  My lungs and heart seem to adapted to my new life...my legs are sometimes not so sure.  I got so excited today that I ran again during my cool down because I was so happy.  I remember that sweating is a good thing :)   I will do this!

Couch to 5k

I am still hanging on and keeping up with the program.  This week consisted of 3min run 90 second walk 5 minute run and repeat.  I did this week on the treadmill because the wind was up or it was dark each time I was doing my run.  So far I highly recommend this free app for my phone.   Four weeks complete!!!  YIPPEE!!

Candy Corn Bark

24 oz. vanilla candy coating, broken into chunks

2 c. pretzel sticks, broken

2 1/2 c. candy corn

Spray 15x10x1-inch pan with spray. Line with wax paper.

In a large  bowl, microwave candy coating on high 1 minute, 15 seconds, stir. Continue heating and stirring in 15-second intervals until melted and smooth. Stir in pretzels and 2 cups of the candy corn. Spread mixture evenly in pan. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup candy corn evenly over top; press in lightly.

Let stand 1 hour or until completely cooled and set. Break into  2- to 3-inch pieces. Store covered at room temperature.

It would go great with this.

Slow and Steady She Goes

Week 4 has begun.  Run 3 minutes, walk 90 seconds, run 5 minutes, walk 2 1/2 minutes, run 3 minutes, walk 90 seconds, run 5 minutes.  Warm up and cool down not included in these times.  Slowly I am chugging along and trying to make progress.  Breathing today was easier than I expected and my calves burned during walking but I didn't notice it during my running (jogging).  My biggest challenge today was keeping my phone from dropping because I was using my husbands headphones since mine broke and also keeping the music what I wanted during the run.  I still found myself looking at the timer to see how much time I had left during each run, but I managed to keep my head in the game and complete each one and I was really doubting that I would be able to when I started. 

Channeling my inner Pioneer Woman

After watching my taped Pioneer Woman yesterday I thought I would give her Pot Roast recipe a try.   We had roast, mashed potatoes and this wonderful blackberry cobbler with ice cream.  What a great meal.

In case you missed it...
Brown onion and carrot in olive oil over medium high heat and remove.  Sear  chuck roast that has been liberally seasoned with salt and pepper in same pan.  Remove and pour can of beef broth in pan to remove seared goodness in the bottom.  (She was able to return it all to the same pot and return to the oven, but I don't have an oven proof dutch oven to I transferred it all to a baking dish.) Add fresh rosemary and thyme to broth. Bake at 275 degrees for 3 hours.  Serve with bread and mashed potatoes.

The cobbler is the recipe I have used my entire life, but I never even considered blackberry, but boy it was so good.

Melt 1 stick butter in pan in 350 degree oven.
Meanwhile mix 1 c. self rising flour, 1 c. milk, 1 c. sugar. 
Pour into pan over butter.  Sprinkle mixture with berries and dust with sugar.
Bake 45 minutes or until golden brown.  Serve while warm with ice cream.  Don't hate me because it is so good.

3 Weeks Complete

No this isn't me, but it was one of the few blonde running figures I could find on google so I chose her.  Three weeks down and so far I have survived.   This week consisted of 90 second run followed by 90 second walk and three minute run followed by three minute walked- both of these repeated for two rotations.  Total time is 30 minutes with warmup and cool down.  I have really been proud even though three minutes of continuous running (jogging) is not even close to where I need to be, but I am trying really hard to stay with the program and not do too much too soon.  I'll keep you posted.

RUN

Meal Plan for the Week

Pesto chicken with rice, vegetable

Spaghetti

Stuffed chicken and mashed potatoes , vegetable

Taco Soup (pumpkin or banana bread day)

FF smoked sausage / Mac & cheese

Potato Soup

Homemade Calzones

Week Two

Week two and I have completed day one of three.  So far so good! 

The Bucket List - 5K

You have heard me say it before, but I truly want to run a 5K.  I have prepared for one before and something always happen and I have fallen off the wagon.  This time I want to finish this!!!  I want the bumper sticker, the t-shirt, and the proud feeling of accomplishment it will bring.  I have started my training and the hubby is even doing it too!!  I used to run years ago and I hope my muscles will eventually remember that this is not an attempt to kill them :)   I just want to stick with it and do it once and for all so please send me any words of encouragement that you see fit. My primary goal is not for weight loss, but that would be a big fat BONUS!  November 19th...I have to do this!

Lucy

My kitty Lucy doesn't get enough face time so I thought I would post a photo of her sleeping like an angel.

September

Today I came home from work early because my son is sick.  I noticed on the way home that leaves are just starting to turn and make an entrance of yellow in the sea of green.  I know it won't be long before the other colors emerge and it will become the patchwork quilt that God graces us with each year.  Maybe it is because I am a fall baby but I always embrace fall.  I love the changing of the seasons and I am so thankful to live in an area that truly experiences each one so I try to savor them all and do little things for each one.  There have been times in my life that years have gone by and I felt like I wasn't even aware of the changes because I was so busy, stress, or otherwise caught up in things.  I try very hard at this point in my life to really take in the beauty and wonder that God provides for us and take time to truly appreciate it. 

Some things I look forward to this month:

Pulling out a few items of fall decor to add a touch here and there.  I am past decorating every room seasonally.  I am in the "less is more" season of my life.

When the coolness sets in I will make my first batch of soup in the crockpot - probably taco soup.

Pumpkin candles and pumpkin bread time will arrive soon....maybe even pumpkin pancakes.

I plan to sign up next week for the 10 week 5K training program.  I hope you will make me keep my word.

I do not look forward to the sinus infection that I usually get with the changing of seasons.  I am taking my meds and staying hydrated and keeping my fingers crossed.

Starting my new "Our Daily Bread" devotion for September.  Oddly I do most of my devotions and prayer time in my car waiting to go into work, but it is a time I am alone and focused and it seems to work so I stick with it for now.

I knew God was right when he told me that now was not the time to return to school just yet.  I know if I had I would not be writing this post because I would be working on homework.  I am sure He will let me know if/when he thinks it is the right time.

10 Days of Me Challenge

Two Songs

1. Amazing Grace - I especially love the Leann Rimes version on youtube.

2. How Great Thou Art - Carrie Underwood also does a great rendition of this if you haven't heard it take a moment and listen.

10 days of Me Challenge

Three Films

I LOVE watching movies so narrowing it down to three is quite a challenge.  Off the top of my head I would pick:

1. The Blind Side

2. The Bucket List

3. Fireproof

Can you tell I tend to gravitate toward "feel good" movies.  I recently watched Unstoppable with Denzel Washington and it was a really good action movie.  I really like most movies except sci-fi and horror.  Some I like with friends, some with family, and some just to watch alone.

10 day Me Challenge

4 Books

1. The Help - I read it before all the craze began with the upcoming movie, but I can't wait to see the movie too.

2. The Shack - If you have not read it, consider it because it is quite good.

3. Heaven is for Real - I just read this over the summer (actually in a few hours and it is really a good little book too.)

4. The Art of Dancing in the Rain - I read this on vacation too and it was a really neat book to read.   

10 days of Me Challenge

5 Foods

1. Favorite food - steak and twice baked potato with soft yeast rolls.

2. Mexican - love enchiladas, tacos, refried beans, chips and salsa, and rice

3. Raspberry white chocolate cheesecake from Olive Garden

4. Drippy gooey cheeseburger with all the fixins and french fries with salt and kethcup.

5. My homemade pound cake or peach cobbler with ice cream

Now you know why I need to lose 50 pounds.

Oops

Silly me...I never knew I could set up my blog to email me when someone left me a comment.  I was just browsing some of my settings and found comments that I had not seen before.  I know not many folks read  my silly little blog, but if you do and I have not responded to a question I am terribly sorry.  I will try to be a better blogger   :)

10 days of Me Challenge

6 Places - easiest topic yet

1. Italy

2. Hawaii

3. Turks and Caicos

4. Outer Banks

5. New York City

6. Washington, DC - mainly for historical value.

10 days of Me Challenge

7 Wants

(Today I am keeping it light on what my wants are - the obvious things like good health and relationship with God are understood and this list is not intended to leave those out.)

1. I want to eliminate as much unnecessary debt as possible and save money.

2. I want to further my education and get my BSN and possibly my MSN.

3. I want to have an in ground swimming pool in my back yard that has nice landscaping to have a place to entertain and have friends and family visit and enjoy with us.

4. I want (need) more kitchen cabinets (preferably in white)

5. I want to lose at least 50 pounds and complete a 5k.

6. I want new furniture, new carpet, new blinds and new paint...to make a long story short I want a total makeover of our home so it can be the place we are comfortable and proud of that represents who we are as opposed to what I feel like it is right now. Some how this keeps getting moved to the back burner and it really affects my mood some days.

7. I want a newer car...both of our cars are so old and we are being patient to not have a car payment, but my patience has got up and gone.

10 day Me Challenge

Eight Fears

1. Snakes are my number one fear.

2. Fear of disappointing others, even though I am working on realizing that I cannot please everyone.

3.   Bats- I am really afraid of bats ever since I was a little girl and hundreds came out of an eave of a  house of a relative we were visiting. It was like a scene from The Birds for real.

4. I mentioned previously that I am afraid of water that I cannot see through... I don't go out far in the ocean and I always wear a life vest if on a boat on a river.

5. I fear I will not be the best parent for my children that I desire to be.

6. I fear that I do not do enough to please God.  I try to have a good prayer life and devotion time yet I know I fall short of what I could do.

7. I fear not having enough of.....anything.  I guess when you grow up without a whole lot you always live in fear that you won't have "enough" of whatever you need / want. 

8. I guess this goes back to my insecurities, but after giving it some thought I think I fear making mistakes.  There are not a lot of tangible things that scare me or make me afraid other than the snake/bat thing, but this post made me realize that most of my deep fears are a result of insecurity.  At one time I was a very confident person, but I think changing careers late in life and letting myself go as far as my weight have left me feeling less confident than ever.  I am working on this....really I am. 

10 Day You Challenge

Nine Loves

1. I love My Lord and Savior

2. I love my husband as much as he drive me nuts I love and adore him.

3. I love myy children - my daughter was the greatest blessing to me at an early age and my son has been the greatest blessing later in my adult life.  I think I am doubly blessed to have had my children spread with 13 years between them, of course God has the perfect timing.

4. I love my other friends and family - I am blessed to have people from various places and times in my life that help keep my grounded and give me comfort.

5. I love blogging, but of course you knew that.  I am thankful I found this means of not only recording things for myself but also learning about others.  The more we think we are all different, it is comforting to know that there are other moms going through the exact things you are.

6. I love my private and quiet time.  Maybe being an only child started it, but I like spending some of my lunches alone and I really miss having a day (or two) off during the week to have to myself.  I am not one of those people who has to have someone with them all the time.

7. I love people - it sounds contradictory to #6, but I love helping people!  I like to go out of my way to do for others sometimes to a fault.

8. I love magazines!  I can usually find a magazine to suit whatever mood I am in. All types - decorating, food, gossip, local, etc.

9. I love Diet Coke.  I should not have such an emotion for a soft drink, but honestly sometimes a cold Diet Coke can just make my day.  Some people drink coffee or other things, but this is my drug of choice :)

10 day challenge

I stumbled across a blog having a linky thing and I thought I would try it.  I think the blog was called "leggins are not pants" or something similar.  I want to give credit, but I thought on it for awhile and now I am not sure.  Anywho....here goes.

Day 1 10 secrets

1. I really, really want to run a marathon one day.  It is not looking so hopeful since I haven't even completed the 5K that I keep wanting to do too.

2. I am very afraid of bats since I had a bad childhood experience.

3. I am not a great swimmer and since I learned how to swim later in my teens I still have some childhood fears in water when I can't see the bottom.

4. I really want to go back to school for my BSN, but God made it clear that now was not the time for that.

5. I have gained more weight than I will admit on this blog, but I am working (ever so slowly) on fixing that!

6. I like liver pudding - most people think it's gross, but since I grew up having it I actually like it fried and on a sandwich.

7. I can't carry a tune in a bucket - I sing so terribly that it is embarrassing.  Thankfully God gave me a strong voice that I have used in my job in many ways, but NOT singing.

8. I worry way too much about what other people think of me and I wear my heart on my sleeve.

9. (or 8b)  I am a perfectionist to a fault - I hate making mistakes and not excelling at things.  (For some reason this does not apply to my eating habits, but I keep trying to talk myself into it.)

10.  Most of my friends know I blog, but really don't understand why...I think it has become an outlet for me to organize thoughts, ideas, recipes, and random musings.


I think the next days will be easier than today's post.  Let me know if you play along.

Progress on Goal Post

I did not get to cleaning car or garage, but everything else got done.  Meals to come soon.  This pictures sums it up, except I am not that cute when I sleep and I don't have legs as long as this dog :)

Cleaning Day

Today it is all about cleaning, laundry and grocery shopping.  No more fun day for me, but I will so much happier when it is all done.  Recipes or something food related coming soon - I promise!

Special Day before School Starts

We started our day with fuel in the form of waffles and bacon before heading out to pick up new eyeglasses.  We also made a stop at Target for a new Lego set and drove nearly 50 miles to watch The Zookeeper because it had already left theaters in our town.  Lunch for his royal highness was at Chick-Fil-A.  I think he is a pretty happy camper right now.

Goal Post

Since the Taking Care of ME is going rather well at motivating me I thought I would try posting what I plan to get accomplished BEFORE I do it and see if I can have one of those super-duper productive set of days off that make me feel happy and less stressed.

1. Friday - special day with son before school starts- get glasses, see The Zookeeper movie ( which we now have to drive 50 miles for since we waited so late), eat at his favorite Chick Fil A and visit Target for a small Lego thing he needs and Michael's for some paint for said legos.  As far as he is concerned this is a perfect day!  (I have to have a little buttered popcorn to make it complete for me, but otherwise I think he chose some of my favorite things too.)
2.  While out of special day sneak in Lowes Hardware and buy two (yes that is 2) toilet seats to replace the two that need it at our house. 
3. Clean house - the good kind with all the bathrooms all the floors and get it back to it's original starting point that does not include boy scout camping gear in my bedroom. 
4. Laundry - again get back to point zero before school starts with all clean clothe and sheets and everything -not just most- put in it's place.
5. Purge - get rid of all the extra junk (goodwill, dump stuff, etc.) that keeps accumulating and making me crazy.  I like organization and I am convinced I live with two farm animals.
6. Clean car - again the silver queen needs a bath in bad way and she would really like it if I could find time to get the diet coke out of the carpet on the passenger's side that has been there too long to admit.  Clean out trunk, try to remember to place an old set of my uniform in my bag in the trunk to have for an extra.
7. Straighten and possibly reorganize garage a little...nothing major, but at least make dog food and recycling easier to get to since I am the once that is climbing to get to where my husband thought they should be- funny huh.
8. Actually plan meals and maybe even post about food again.  Sorry I have been so busy that I have not been able to even cook for us much less share any new and exciting recipes...I will try to do better.
9. Strip wallpaper border in son's room - I know this probably won't make the cut of what gets really done but a girl has to stay ahead on her list right?
10. Exercise and listen to music and read...or take a little day trip with the family on Sunday after church.

Taking Care of ME

Okay so Charlie hadn't been on an official walk in a couple of weeks due to the heat so tonight he took me for a walk.  It's probably better that way because I probably got more of a calorie burn with him pulling me along.  Every little bit helps.  I have also consumed two bananas and two bottled waters in the last couple of days and just so you know that is a record because I am not a huge fan of either....but I am taking baby steps.