It's Friday...

...thank goodness!  It's just been one of those weeks...

Not that my weekend will be relaxing.  The kids have a Halloween party tonight (must make blood/bones for them to take) and Brianna has a Fall Festival tomorrow (must make cookies). 

I think David and Bryson are going hunting in the morning, and I'm going to go watch Harlem Drama compete in their Region AAA competition.  Hmmm...I don't even know what play they are doing this year?!  Oops!

On a random note, I thought everyone knew what Angry Birds was?!  Come on, even my grandpa plays!  Well, a kid at karate had this shirt on last night:

The karate teacher asked if it was Woody Woodpecker?!  What?!  He had to ask me what Angry Birds was!  He's only 23!  I told him he needed a new phone...lol!  Then later he was asking the kids to stretch their 'Go Go Gadget' arms...really Mr. Hobbs?!  These kids don't know who Inspector Gadget is!  Hilarious!

On a positive note, I have kept up with my eating.  Something raw at every meal.  It's been an EFFORT, let me tell ya!  I feel good though :)

Yesterday was a success...

I'm not bragging, doing this one day at a time!

I did have something fresh/raw with every meal!

Success!

Here's to today...

Questions:

Do you set mini-goals?

Do you wait til you've 'mastered' one before moving on?

No motivation

I'm in a funk...I have no motivation!

My eating has been crappy, and I still haven't started exercising regularly as I intended to.

Work is still crazy...

No one else is gonna worry about ME, so why am I not worried about ME?!

It's crazy, I know!

I watched Forks over Knives yesterday, and that was a fantastic reminder of why a plant-based diet is the way to go.

I started watching it while the kids were outside playing with Papa, but it was still playing when they came home so this sparked a lot of questions from Brianna.  She is really struggling with decision-making.  I'm trying to play the neutral card and/or devil's advocate because I want whatever decision that she makes to be hers, and I will support that decision.

To get back on the path to better eating (remember Vegan isn't always healthy) I'm going to eat 'something raw' at every meal.  I don't care whether this is fruit and/or vegetables...just something raw/natural.

I'll get back on track...

Questions:

1.  What do you do when you are lacking motivation? 

2.  Do you have some motivational quotes that you like?

iPhone Panic

So, I've been meaning to put all of my music on one computer for a while so that I could dump everything into the laptop.  I managed to start this process the other night by burning a DVD of all the music off my desktop computer.  Last night, I decided I would load all of that on my laptop then sync my iTunes to my phone.  No problem!

For those of y'all that don't have an iPhone, the sync has to be done prior to any phone updates.  I got all my music and was so excited.

All of my iPhone updates have been no big deal, so I decided (at 11pm) last night to go ahead and download and install the updates.  The countdown began, and it was gonna take an hour...so I left it going and went to bed.

I 'thought' I had set an alarm to wake me up about an hour later to check on it, but I either slept through it or just didn't do it?!

At 3am I woke up on my own and went to check on it.

PANIC!!

My entire phone was re-set and NOTHING was on it?!  I think I stopped breathing!

So, as calmly as I could in my groggy state, I decided that a re-store should work, and I had just synced everything so all should be well.

Well, I went back to sleep and when I got up this morning, I had to work this dang thing like a brand new phone.  Set-up and everything!  This was more than just an update, I think it loaded a whole new operating system on the dang thing!

Panic aside, all of MY info and pictures are still there, so I guess I'm good.

I need a new manual though because this phone is now crazy different!

All this for my music...sanity must occur!

Fabulous Weekend!

To sum it up, this weekend was fabulous!  Fun-filled and stress free :)

Got up Saturday morning so that I could get my hair done.  It was time to get rid of the blonde highlights.

The kids got to play with the neighbors granddaughter, Emma.  She was happy because I let her drive the golf cart by herself.

She crashed into a tree after this, so the driving lesson was officially over!  LOL!

Then we met Joy and Julia at Steed's for some fun at the Corn Maze.

Then the rest of the crew showed up...David met us there and brought Lizzie and Emma then Brooke, Mike, and Carole showed up.



Julia, Bryson, and Lizzie waiting on zip line.

Lizzie

Bryson

Julia

Kids on jumping pillow.

Finally got them to stay still!
Bryson, Lizzie, Julia, Brianna, and Emma

Carole and I chatting...we look so innocent ;)

After this we went and ate Mexican food.   Mike and Carole backed out of this adventure, but the rest of us had a good time.

Sunday the kids convinced me to take them back.  They wanted to go so bad they paid their own way in, so who was I to tell them no...

Lizzie, Brianna, Emma, and Bryson

Lizzie and Brianna buried Bryson in the corn!

Hated to see the weekend end!







A Duck on the Run: Banjees Wrist Wallet Review and Giveaway!

A Duck on the Run: Banjees Wrist Wallet Review and Giveaway!: Yup, time for another giveaway! The awesome people over at Sprigs sent me some Banjee wrist wallets to test out. Banjees are a nifty alte...

Fall Fun

October starts such a busy time of year.  Fall activities and Halloween are on the way!

Last night I took the kids to pick out their costumes:

Here's what Bryson picked (I think this makes some type of Ninja 3 years in a row):

Here's what Brianna picked:

At least they get to where them more than once.  They have a Halloween party and then actual Halloween.

Saturday we are going to Steed's Dairy to play and go through the Corn Maze. 

My niece's birthday party is next weekend at Gymnastic's Gold, then the next weekend is a Halloween Party for the kids, Fall Carnival for Girl Scouts, and of course Monday is Halloween!

Then it's on to the Holidays!

Accountability = FAIL!!

So, posting my goals did nothing in the accountability department!

I have gotten a lot of compliments lately about weight loss, and have continually tracked...so, to make it simple I thought I would post it here.  Look for new tab at the top of blog!

Thanks~~

Still working toward my goals....

2011 Article 6--Sunrays

Sunrays

2011 Article 5--End of Summer Time

End of Summer Time

Whiny Wednesday

Today has been aggravating...

No particular reason, just whiny!  Everyone whining about FB changes especially...

It's just been a blah Wednesday for me, and I have to look forward to W1D2 when I get home.  Yay! [sarcasm]

I need to write a few articles before the end of the month, and today is already the 21st?!  Yikes!

I've been a pro with the procrastination again, and have really enjoyed playing with various photo apps on my phone.  Yeah, I know...I'm not writing an article about that!

I think it may be hard to tell, but the pictures on the right are mosaic style made up of other pictures of mine.  So neat!

Then there's this one where I put my favorite sun ray pictures together...beautiful...

Just thought I'd share!  This way you're procrastinating with me...LOL!!



I survived day one!

So yesterday, I put my goals 'out there'.  I don't normally do this, and it's totally out of my comfort zone, so we will see if this whole accountability thing really works!

I weighed in yesterday, and that number had gone up a tad...ugh!  Not being in an active competition tends to do that, but a new one starts Friday, and I have some Thanksgiving goals anyway!  Coffee is going to be my biggest enemy...it's so delish this time of year!

I had to make a run to Wal-Mart, and I so wanted to use that as an excuse and skip the exercise...I was so tired.  Here was my inspiring sunset picture:

So, here are my results from yesterday:




I used a cool app on my phone named 'Get Running' that has the Couch to 5k program built in and it works with my music!  Awesome!

28:33 minutes of exercise

1.687 miles done

I wanted to NOT do it, but ya gotta start somewhere!

So, good job for me on a Monday!

Happy Tuesday y'all!

Accountability

Accountability:  the quality or state of being accountable; especially : an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one's actions.

I say it to others and encourage it in my business, but personally...I don't like it!  Why?  Because then I have a responsibility, and if I'm only accountable to myself, then there's no guilt because I can rationalize anything!

So, time for change!  I have goals that I want to reach by Thanksgiving, and that is only 9 weeks away, so I really need to focus!

To share those goals, I want to lose 16lbs and complete the Couch to 5k training plan (again).  Very attainable and reasonable in the time that I have [left], so why have I procrastinated so long?!  These were not my original goals, but I'm kinda in a time crunch, and I like to make the goals so I'm not gonna be greedy!  If I do better, that will be fantastic :)

Plan:
Weigh in today, Oct 1st, Oct 15th, Nov 1st, Nov 15th, and Nov 23rd (day before Thanksgiving).
Calendar filled with exercise plan and will record this on DailyMile.
Motivational quotes (lol)

I'm sure that there will be updates here as well, especially if they're good!

Here are the quotes that I liked:

1. Man imposes his own limitations, don't set any.
2. Vision without action is a daydream.  Action without vision is a nightmare.
3. Real athletes run, others just play games.
4. My greatest pleasure in life, is doing the things people say we cannot do.
5. Today I will do what others won't, so tomorrow I can do what others can't.
6. Ability is what you are capable of doing.  Motivation determines what you do.  Attitude determines how well you do it.
7. Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there.
8. Shoot for the moon!  Even if you miss it you will land among the stars.
9. The task ahead of you is never greater than the strength within you.
10. A run begins the moment you forget you are running.
11. Running is one of the best solutions to a clear mind.
12. Don't take anyone's definition of success as your own.
13. Anything worthwhile will not come easy.
14. It is the mind that rules the body.
15. Run hard when it's hard to run.
16. My sport is your sports punishment.

Early Release Day

Yesterday was early release day at school for the kids.  This equates to conference day for parents and teachers.  I had one for Bryson, and of course it was a fantastic report!

The plan was for Brianna to go with a friend to Jump City and David and Bryson were going fishing.  That left me by myself, and I'm really starting to like that time to myself!

Brianna got home about 4 and we rode to Riverside Park so that she could see where they went fishing and play for a bit. 

This was on the way:

The weather did not cooperate, and the boys were pulling out of the water when we got there, so we hung out with them.




Bryson, Brianna, Mr. Cooper, and David

 My handsome man:

See the cooler behind him in the picture?  There were two female black labs there and someone had set the cooler out with water for them.  Brianna was so worried about these dogs!

It's a small world though, came to work today and got to talking to someone and he saw the dogs yesterday and took them home.  Called Brianna to tell her this morning and she was so happy!

Happy Friday Y'all!

Tuesday Plans

Just another day

Glad Monday is over.  Not because it was horrible, but just because it was Monday!

I do enjoy the fact that we do not have anything in the afternoons/evenings on Monday, so the kids and I did nothing.  They got to play and I got to read...wonderful evening!

Tuesday starts chaos with trying to get all of the homework done before we have to be at karate for Bryson.  Most of the time it ends up that Brianna has to do her homework at karate, but she doesn't seem to mind.

Bryson previewed the Master's Training Program Saturday:

Bryson working the Kamas



He really liked it, but I'm just not feeling signing another 3 year contract.  He's only 8 and still has 1 1/2 years left on his current contract.  I think he's a little disappointed, but he hasn't told me that.  I would have to commit to another contract, more money, and more hours at the karate center.  He keeps wanting to play baseball, so I think his interest is changing a bit and I'm not taking that chance!

The kids tried to convince me to let them take another bath in my tub last night.  They were regulars all weekend...Friday, Saturday, and Sunday!  This is what that fun looks like:

There is water under there...



Tonight David is going fishing and won't be home til like 3am, so I'm thinking after karate we're getting our toes done again.  The pedicures we got 3 weeks ago don't look as good anymore...plus it's so relaxing!

Brianna's feet on top



So, bring it on Tuesday...we've got plans!

Nothing to say...

It's Monday after all. So, here's to photo editing being very deceptive!

Remembering

Today. 10 years post 09/11/01.

Yes, I remember where I was. Work.

So many emotions/questions that day.

Most of all, I remember being at home that night. Just me and my 9 month old baby girl. Feeding her a bottle in a living room dimly lit by the news on the television in Waynesboro, Ga.

Questioning my selfish decision to try to raise a child in such a cruel and horrible world. Wondering what it's gonna be like for her?!

10 years later...it's sad to know that many children don't know what 9/11 means or why the calendar says Patriot Day. A blessing in some ways, but I will remember.

Why are short weeks the longest...

I promise, I thought yesterday was Thursday.  I kept mentally planning things like it was Thursday, even though I 'knew' it was Wednesday.  Today seems like deja vu...ugh!

I did want to share a response to yesterdays post that came via Facebook.  This is a friend of mine, and the mother of one of the girls wanting to do the animal rescue center with my daughter.

I was so hoping that you would have that funding for the animal shelter! I have explained to all three of the girls that they need a real job to support this animal shelter. Your's is going to be a vet, mine and Hannah are going to be marine biologists. I am so glad they have already decided what they want to do in life. I am 38 and still not sure what I want to be when I grow up! But at last, we know how they are going to get the funding. With all of the money that Bryson will be making modeling underwear, he would love to give some to his sister.

So much for everyone feeling sorry for me when my son starts showing off in his underwear...they are trying to cash in!  LOL!

Nothing exciting going on here.  The weather has been nice, which now means I have no excuse to not start jogging again...ugh!  The countdown is on...it's only 11 weeks to Thanksgiving.  Crazy how time flies!

Today is a crazy day again.  Karate and girl scouts.  I think the boys are fending for themselves, so I should only have to worry about Brianna though.  Nice!

Happy Thursday!

Never joke about future careers

My daughter is pretty consistent in believing that she wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up.  She and two of her friends have elaborate plans for an animal shelter and rescue center.  Hope one of those sets of parents can afford to help them get that off the ground...lol!

My son has not decided on his career path yet (not that he needs to, but it comes up in conversation).  A few months ago he told us that he wanted to be a Navy Seal?!  Dang LL Cool J and NCIS...lol!  When he found out that you had to have a college education, that turned into 'I just want to be a fireman'.  Wow!  2nd grade (at the time) and already has no college plans...great!

So, the other day we are sitting at the table talking about what they want to be when they grow up [yes, again].  Brianna, in the most sarcastic tone, informs me that I know she wants to be a vet (so why the heck did I ask...geez).  Bryson tells me he doesn't know.  Then the fun starts...

I tell Brianna that I think Bryson is going to be an underwear model because he is so cute and loves to run around in his underwear.  He looks at me and asks, "What is that?"  I told him you know, like the pictures in the magazines and catalogs where they wear bathing suits and underwear in them...like Victoria's Secret.  Now, if you could've seen his face, he is really thinking about this.  Brianna was in on the action by then and tells me, "Oh my gosh Mom, my friends are gonna be looking at magazines and be like...Oh my gosh Brianna it's your brother...and I'm gonna be like UGH!"   LOL!  I told her I knew how she felt because all my friends would be patting me on the back saying "I'm so sorry honey".  Bryson is laughing so hard that he's crying at this point.  THEN...he asked me if they had directors.  What?  Does who have directors?  He says the girls in the catalog.  What?  I asked him if he was telling me he wanted to direct girls around in their underwear and bathing suits, and he just shrugged his shoulders...GREAT!!

Slacker

Well, here it is almost a week since my last post.  Not that I've been doing nothing, but you know...life happens!

Let's see if I can re-cap the last few days:

Thursday:  Work--nothing exciting here
Karate--Bryson got nominated for Master's Training.  I'm not sure that I totally know what this means beside the fact that he now thinks he's awesome and can learn new weapons?!  We find out Saturday.
Dinner at Mellow Mushroom--went to listen to Bryan play an acoustic set there, and it was fun.  My brother Nick came with us too.

Friday:  Work--again nothing exciting here
Dropped Brianna off for a sleepover
David, Bryson and Moody went night fishing
Mom had a night to herself...woo hoo!  I should have been productive, but I did NOTHING!  It was fabulous.  I even called my sister in Korea to catch up.

Saturday:  Time to myself again and went and had my hair colored/cut.
Picked Brianna up from her friends house
Went to an afternoon pool party...had a nice time

Sunday:  Lazy, that's it.  I didn't even go to church with my family.
Sunday night the kids went with Nana/Papa to church and I ran some errands (David worked).

Monday:  We went to the movies with Nana (since Papa was golfing) and saw Kung Fu Panda 2 at the cheap theater.  Sears for some shopping and ended up purchasing a new grill at Home Depot.  Dinner with Nana/Papa and Usry's at Sticky Fingers.  Only to have to come home and study for a test that Brianna 'forgot' about.  Oh well, just another day.

So, here we are on Tuesday and I'm back at work.  That's okay...it's not Monday :)

Wednesday Sanity

Just when you think...

You know, just when you think you are good for the week because Monday is over...Tuesday hits. This starts my own personal chaos it seems. Lack of sleep and trying to get back in a weekly routine are apparently brutal! Factor in karate, homework, dinner, and two kids that are desperate for 'down time' and you can understand. On top of all this, I have to go to the funeral home tonight. Life...

Favorite blogs

It's Monday.  Which makes it a blah day by default.  I look forward to one bloggers post today though, and today, she did not disappoint.  That being said I thought I should share some of my favorite blogs that I enjoy reading.

First of all, this needs to be looked at:  Magnificent Men of Monday August 29, 2011 Edition.

Blogs that I enjoy:

1. Obviously, from the post above, Cely at Running off the Reese's is fabulous.  I love her humor and the way that she includes pictures (with captions) that are just too funny!
2. Kris Carr is fabulous as well over at Crazy Sexy Life.  She has many guest posts as well that are always wonderful to read.
3. One of the first blogs that I started reading regularly was Peas and Thank You.  I am envious of this Vegan Supermom and all that she has accomplished now with her first book publishing!
4. Liz over at One Twenty Five just intrigues me.  I'm not even sure what it is, but she is just adorable (check out her video blogs too) and I'm envious of her plans to travel the world.

I like to read my sister's as well over at A Duck on the Run, but that's just because I'm all in her business!  What else are big sisters for?!

Glimpse of the lake...

End to the weekend

Had a great weekend! House cleaned, laundry done, lake time, church, new shirts, grocery shopping done, Sunday afternoon nap...

Okay, so not terribly exciting, but not having to be 50 different places is really nice!

Saturday at home

A Saturday at home with no definite plans is so rare and taken for granted. The kids and I have enjoyed our day and got the majority of the cleaning done. Now we are relaxing and watching The Fox and the Hound. I have even managed to squeeze in some Kindle time! Strange book I've started though. I'm not sure what time David thinks 'lunch' is since that's when he said he would be home?? Glad we did not wait on him. Off to scratch off the last couple of items on my 'to do' list.

Happy Saturday!

Finally Friday

Here it is.  The day I wait for all week!  Mainly just because I look forward to the work week being over, but sometimes it's because we have lots of awesome things planned on the weekend.

This week, it's just because I want the week to be over.  People around me have been crazy!  It's definately not me, right?!  Who knows, it could be.  Either way, I need a fresh start.

No plans (not sure how that happened) have been made so hopefully that means I'll get some things accomplished (as opposed to just laying around reading books).  Either way, I think it will be a fantastic weekend.

Perhaps I can find some time...

Life is busy

Today has just been one of those days.  My phone at work should be dead as much as it's been ringing lately.  To the point that I have missed calls and messages if I get up to even go to the printer or fax, and heaven forbid that I need to go to the bathroom or get a cup of coffee.   Just been crazy!  Even more frustrating is the fact that it seems the current problems that are occuring are out of my control.  Fun!

So, work all day to come home and rush kids through homework so that we can somehow manage to get to karate on time (it sorta went like this anyway, but Bryson finished his in the car on the way and Brianna finished at class).  Stripe testing (again?!) is today and we should have been there 10 minutes early, which we were, but he should have been ready at this point and not just arriving.  Again, fun!

Nana and Lydia met us at class to take over with Bryson so that Brianna and I can make it to her first girl scout meeting.  Yay?!  Of course, she's starving so we pick up a snack on the way to the house that I must now stop at because I've forgotten my checkbook.  Running, running!

At the meeting, I'm informed that I must 'Go'.  Oh, I don't have to stay?  So, Bryson is at dinner with the in-laws and Brianna is at her GS meeting...and mom had a moment alone?!  So, what's a mom to do?  Called a couple of people to chat and of course came home to start getting things ready for tomorrow...what else would I do on a Thursday night?  Exciting?!  I know, I know!

So glad tomorrow is Friday!

I've always heard that time flies...

People have always said, 'Time flies'!  I think you begin to understand this term once you're grown.  The entire time I was young it seemed that there was always something to look forward to.  There were milestones...makeup, dating, driving, etc.  Once I had children that phrase became even more true.  I'm still not sure how I currently have a 10 and an 8 year old?!  What the heck happened?

I read blogs daily.  Have I mentioned that I'm a blog stalker?! 

Do I keep up with mine, no!

I decided to look at mine today, and do you know what I found out?  I haven't posted ANYTHING since July 8th?  What?  It's August 25th!

Oh, and those lofty goals I had for 2011 for posting my articles--Well, I haven't even submitted an article since February.  So, only 4 articles for all of 2011.  Crazy!  I've even got some fabulous ideas, just haven't taken the time to do them.  Such a procrastinator!

I'm not making any promises, just sharing my realization. 

I love summer snacks!

Neglect

...that's all I can call it.

I'm trying to keep up with my eating, so I have neglected this blog. 

Yeah, so I have only been logging my food for 7 days and that is nothing comparable to the neglect I have shown this blog...but that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Random

You know, I named this blog random vegan because I intended to put all of my random thoughts on here.  Now I catch myself not posting...not because I forget or have nothing to put, but because I fear that my thoughts may be too random.  LOL!

Eat4Health Summer 2011 Weight Loss Challenge starts today!  Fun fun!

I really want to go to the beach, but I am running out of summer...and apparently the resorts have run out of room, and are super proud of the rooms in July...ugh!  Disney in May = no money...why can't the beach resorts understand that?!

I had a great time at VBS last night with all of the kids.  Lydia did great and had a good time.  Looking forward (sort of) to doing it again tonight...although I am tired!

Work is gearing up for the Big Bang Go Live of the EHR next Tuesday...we are not ready!  LOL!

Blah today

Do not feel good, but have not been eating well. Trying to nourish my body!

Monday again...

...but being able to come home for lunch to eat this and de-stress helps!

Rice and black eyed peas with Chow Chow, green beans, fresh tomatoes and Vidalia onion.

Previous favorite

Food poisoning obtained by my husband when dining there has probably ruined all chances of eating there again! Live and learn!

Ugh

Well, I am still not doing well with blog posting! Consistency is not me. I am still being successful at stalking. Hey...gotta be good at something.

Took the family and then some to Disney last week and have yet to recover. So tired. Work is crazy too, so who knows when I will recover! Lol!

I need to find a plan that I can follow and get back to jogging too! Lots of thoughts and goals, but no follow through. Lol

Ready

So, what are you doing in a couple of hours?

I am going to Disney World!

10 adults and 3 children. Fun times!

Leslie
www.eat4health.webs.com
www.Facebook.com/eat4healthtoday
Sent from my iPhone

Bittersweet...

Yesterday was the last day of school for the kids.

Hard to believe that they are going to be in 5th and 3rd grade?!

4th grade was a rough ride for us this year...I won't go into details on that, but I will say that my 'average' (their terminology) student was tied for 1st place on her CRCT math scores...heck yeah!

2nd grade was a little too easy and I think they did not push them hard enough.

So, one extreme to the other, and hoping for a fantastic summer and a better year next year!

I'm getting old!

Looking forward to....

...this beautiful forecast in Disney!

Confession

I am such a blog stalker!  I love to read them!

I, however, am horrible at keeping up with mine.

So, here's an update:

Funny for today:

My MIL showed up a tad bit early, so I'm running through the house pulling on jeans to find my daughter awake (early) and her (half-asleep) tell me "that was totally worth getting up early for"...what a pal!

Happy Friday...new hair this afternoon...whew!

Test from iPhone

Blog app from phone. Need to figure out how to read my favorites.

Banana and Chocolate Muffins

Yeah, I know I don't have a recipe blog...it does, however, say "Random".  So, random and vegan fits...

I needed something to do with 3 over-ripe bananas and needed to get rid of some chocolate chips before I ate them all...sooo....

Banana and Chocolate Muffins

2 c. all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 c. sugar
3 ripe bananas, mashed
1 c. Vegenaise
1/4 c. soy milk
1/2 c. chocolate chips (I'm sure I had a tad more in mine!)

Heat oven to 375 degrees and spray/line a muffin tin.
Stir flour, baking soda, baking powder, and sugar together in large bowl.
In a seperate bowl mix the mashed bananas and Vegenaise.
Add the banana/Vegenaise mixture to the dry ingredients and mix well. You may have to add soy milk if your mixture is too dry...if not, don't bother.
Stir in chocolate chips.
Put mixture into muffin tin and bake 20 min.

Delish!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Here is my green drink :)

Fasting until Easter

So, I'm a little late for Lent, but I still have 40 days from tomorrow!

Not listing the plan, see verses below for why:

 

Matthew 15:8-10 (New International Version, ©2011)

   ⁸ “‘These people honor me with their lips,
   but their hearts are far from me.
⁹ They worship me in vain;
   their teachings are merely human rules.’”
 ¹⁰ Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand.

Colossians 2:20 (New International Version, ©2011)

 ²⁰ Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules:

2011 Article 4--Getting a Grasp on Stress Eating

Getting a Grasp on Stress Eating

Warm weather is on the way...

...and I'm getting ready.  Tanning...I love this season...I went Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday (+spray tan), and today...ahhh...love the golden glow...well, reddish glow if you know me...lol! 

We are going to try the boat out today too...should have a great tan this summer :)

Must start tomorrow...

...TANNING!

Geez I'm white!

Beautiful!

Love them!

Thirty

is here...and it feels fine!

Bye bye twenties

Today is my last day of being in my 'twenties'.  Many things accomplished...feeling good!

2011 Article 3--Running Events in Augusta, Ga

Running events in Augusta, GA

MIA...

Life happens...

Unexpected loss in the family called for impromptu trip to FL for a funeral.

Now to find routine again!

Do Life

Oh yeah!

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My Vegan Valentine Lunch

Wonderful Vegan lunch today :) This is after I ate. Geez that is a lot of food!

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After

After! Happy Valentines to me :)

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Before

Before

I'm ready...

...for spring...and our trip to Disney World!

Found out there is a Vegan Bakery in Downtown Disney.  How awesome is that?!

Reminder to Myself

I cannot please everyone.  I am frustrated right now with assumptions that are made.  You could even call them accusations.  If they were not, then they would not have been questioned. 

Who decided on a family vacation with 13 people?!  I am looking forward to it, but I truly wish people did not assume that you were out to do them harm?  I'm not sure what causes this, but it is frustrating.

What if we assumed that what others were doing was for good?  How much better would life be if everyone weren't so paranoid like someone was out to get them?

Serving others and minimizing self is what we are called to do.  Researching/planning is (unfortunately at times) a talent of mine and is a way that I can serve others.

Matthew 19:30
But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.

1 Peter 4:10
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.

I know that serving is others is what we are called to do, but nothing ever said it would be easy. 

2 Corinthians 12:10
That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Wow!  What a great reminder.  If it weren't for the anger/hurt I feel then I wouldn't be turning to the Word.  There are no coincidences...God has a Plan!

Oolong Tea--Part 2

I'm armed...first cup made and in hand, and some more teabags for today.  I'm trying it, can't hurt.  I love hot tea anyway.

I did mean to link to the inspired post though.  Check out this post on Oolong Tea.

Oolong Tea

First cup today. Not bad, but I like the flavor of Green Tea better. Could just be that its different.
*Leslie*

Slacker

What?!  No post since Friday indicates busy weekend!

Friday night Brianna went to Miyabi's with friends for a birthday dinner.  So, we decided to let Bryson pick dinner for the 3 of us.  Hmm...Pizza Hut?!  Oh well, sure.  Now, I could list my complaints from bad service, my order was wrong (I did not even get to eat pizza at a pizza place...ugh), but the waiter made up for it by not charging me for it.  REALLY?!  Thanks for not charging me for something I did not even receive...way to go!  Anyway...Bryson had a good time, and that was what counted.  After we went by Sam's to look at their K-Cup selection.  Hmm...left with no K-Cups, but groceries...imagine that.  The good news is that David had to take them home and unload them...woo hoo.  Bryson and I went to Wal-Mart, poor thing can't stand having money to spend.  Then we had to pick Brianna up.  Late, fun night.

Saturday we were kinda lazy and did laundry before getting ready and heading out to the grocery store.  Someone could've reminded me that the next day was Superbowl and that everybody would be out shopping.  Oh well, it was done.  Went by the Oriental Market for seaweed and cucumber kimchi :)  Home in time enough to unload groceries, put them away, change clothes, and head back out for a 50th birthday bash for Ronald.  It was great to see everyone!

Sunday morning, missed Sunday School, but made it to church.  Took the kids to Moe's for lunch, then we headed to Party City to look for birthday themes for Bryson.  He 'thinks' he has decided on Ben 10, but I need to see if someone makes cakes for that.  Went next door to Hallmark to get Valentines Cards for David.  I even got Lydia's and snuck the kids cards in there too...go Mom!  Bryson picked out his Valentine's present, he did not want me to surprise him...when did he get so grown?  Brianna tried her best, but couldn't find anything.  She told me, "I guess you have to surprise me".  Thanks for the support!

When we got home, the kids went to ask Papa if they started ordering the newspaper, or if the one in their driveway was really ours.  So, he brought me my paper and came over to help Bryson make a bird feeder that he's been wanting to make.  They got it put together, now it just needs some paint.  Brianna worked on her math work that I made her do all weekend.  She's gonna learn some responsibility one way or the other.

We made Chili, Mock Tuna, and a Cheese Ball (all Vegan of course) for the Superbowl!  It was just the four of us, but we had a nice time :)

Today is Monday...ugh!  It's raining AGAIN...ugh!  That's all for now!

Coffee mug insight

Cold weather = Coffee. I have been thinking lately of getting back on track. Today my coffee mug is speaking to me. Lol!

2011 Article 2--Meant to Be

Meant to Be

A story I submitted for a Valentine's Day Contest :)

True Story!

2011 Article 1-Osteoporosis Treatment: Fosomax

Osteoporosis Treatment: Fosomax

Do the Benefits of Fosomax Outweigh the Side Effects?

Groundhog Day

I really wished that crap worked and Spring would come already!

The kids finally went back to school today.  They stayed home yesterday with their dad, who slept half the day.  I called about 11am and was informed that they were watching TV.  Brianna had a granola bar and Bryson made himself pancakes.  Wow!  Who taught them to be so independent?!

I published another article today, and need to get one more out (today).

It's like throwing money away.  I have these article offers waiting on me to publish.  Why throw it away?  I've got to change my attitude!

I do not have enough money to throw money away!!