An early gift!

I love getting gifts and Brian gave me a good one today.  You know he makes the wooden bowls, he has been busy lately.  His bowls are all beautiful and I do love each one!

So today, he gave me a new box!  It is really pretty and heart shaped.  I love it and immediately put it on the fireplace.  Not sure that it will be staying there, but for now that is where it will reside!

I've been a bit lax in my workouts lately, but I've sure been complaining, so I am planning on getting my act together and getting back on track.

I am also considering posting my eating on here again.  Not so that you all know what I am doing, but more so for myself.  If I know I have to take a photos of it for everyone to see, then I will be more strict with myself.  It's time to buckle down and get serious again!  I don't want to be the statistic that gains the average 8 lbs over the holidays. 

Holiday Fun

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend.  It started at our house with a Thanksgiving Feast!!

The table looked beautiful

The food was delicious,

But the company was the best part!

That afternoon, we got to meet the newest member of our family, my great neice, Emmie!!

We traveled to my parents house, had a HUGE meal with all the family and then on Saturday, went out for a little shopping!  I got a few deals and we had a great time!

Now, I'm home and the house has been put back together and laundry has been done!  Now it's time to start thinking about decorating for Christmas......

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Good Morning and Happy Thanksgiving!!

I am up bright and early this morning to get the turkey in the oven.  It is cooking away and Brian got his family recipe stuffing in the bird and it is cooking away as well!!  I love the way the house smells on Thanksgiving!

I have so many things to be thankful for, my family, my friends, my job, I could go on and on all day long  ( I just might do that!!) 

Brian's parents are here today and Nick and Lauren and Jake will be here later this morning!  It's a small group for us this year.  A bit unusual and I will have to remember not to make as much food.  I have a tendency to make a LOT of food!  I love to cook so this isn't a problem for me, but I am cutting back somewhat this year.

Our menu includes the turkey and stuffing, corn casserole, cranberry relish, big salad, green beans, mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes and of course the rolls!  I'm sure I'm forgetting something in there.  I usually make homemade noodles, but not this year.  I'm hoping that there isn't a mutiny...... 

Isn't it funny how so many dishes become a tradition.  One year I didn't make the corn casserole and I thought the kids were going to cry.  So, I know that it has to be included every year!  But I love the traditions that our family has created.

We will travel to my mom and dad's tomorrow.  No black Friday shopping for me, but I never do that!  If I want the good deals, then I'll order online.  I am not a big fan of getting up early and shopping!

Nerium is offering a good Black Friday special.  If you want to check it out, please do so!  I absolutely love this stuff and it is getting results for me and so many other people.
  Just click here to see the great deals - psst....  free shipping is one of them!  There is also a good video of before and after results photos.  You don't want to miss those.  AMAZING!

So Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!  I pray that you are blessed beyond your wildest dreams this year!

Thanksgiving Eve

The computer is still broken.  Boo, hiss!!!!  My computer guy tried to help me last night, but since he lives in another town, he had to remote in to take a look, and unfortunately, my computer wouldn't cooperate for very long, so he gave me a list of things to do and try.  I'm hoping that I can get it done this weekend.  Then I can get back to a more somewhat normal blogging routine.

So the last time I posted that I had gone to dinner with friends.  Brian may not like me uploading my photos to his computer, but he'll just have to get over it, right? Right!!

So we all got together for dinner.   We had a lot of laughs, some good food and a great time as usual

Despite what you see in the photos, the guys really did have a good time ;)  Silly guys!

I am so thankful for my close friends.  You all mean the world to me and I needed the get together!

Today we are traveling to pick up my in-laws and bring them back to the house for Thanksgiving.  I'll be cooking and prepping for tomorrow's meal.  Nick and Lauren, Jake and the in-laws will all be here.  Chase Meredith and Madelyn are traveling to Indiana to see family there.  We will miss them, but we got together on Monday night for a family meal.  Thanksgiving isn't just one day, it's our lifestyle!!

Thank you to all of you that are hanging in there with me here on the blog.  You also mean the world to me and I so appreciate each and every one of you!

Happy Thanksgiving Eve!!

It's a love/hate relationship

I think my computer caught the same virus/cold that I had.  It seems that she (yes, my computer is all female!) isn't feeling well these days.  I have run my anti-virus and spyware, but nothing is turning up, yet I still have a LOT of trouble staying online.  It seems that my web-browser (Internet Explorer and Firefox) are not working properly.  I can be online and browsing away and then all of a sudden the whole thing will stop responding.  At least that is what it is telling me.  Have any of you had that problem?  Any suggestions on fixing it.  I've googled it on Brian's computer and done what it said, but it hasn't worked yet.  AND, Brian's computer is working just fine.... hmmmm.  I have that love/hate relationship with my computer.  Love it when it is working properly, hate it when it isn't!

I've been recovering and that means, not much in the way of workouts.  I hate that I started this challenge and I've missed a complete week.  I'm planning on trying a workout tomorrow, but I may have to modify a little.  I'm okay with that as long as I can get something done.  My eating hasn't been the greatest either, but I'm just going to get back on track tomorrow.


I've had plenty of time to work on my Thanksgiving meal plans.  I got out my favorite cookbooks and have made my list.

I am hosting to Brian's parents, Nick and Lauren and Jake.  It will be a bit smaller than usual for us, but it will still be good!  Can't wait!!

Since this has taken me so long to get typed up and photos downloaded, I guess I'll end it here.  Look for a post tomorrow about our friends night out last night.  We had a good time and I got photos of everyone.  Hope my computer is better tomorrow!

too much fun?

It's been a weird couple of days.  I have been sick.  I hardly ever get sick and it always surprises me when I do.  I am guessing that Miss Madelyn has brought it to our home from pre-school, but I don't blame her :)  Maybe I just had too much fun over the last week?

Over the weekend we went to Tulsa with friends.  The gun show was in town and us girls decided to do a little shopping.  It was nice, because we got to make a new friend, what is better than that?

We went to Super Target, Sephora, Dillards and then met up with the guys for dinner at Los Cabos and a trip to Bass Pro.  I was amazed at all the stores that were already playing Christmas music.  Geez, let's get through Thanksgiving first, please!!

On Monday, we headed over to Chase and Meredith's for an impromptu dinner with the kids (  I( was just starting to feel a little icky) and we had a great time as usual.  I absolutely love that my kids get along!  Hasn't always been the case, so if you have little ones that don't get along, they will in the fuutre!!



Madelyn wanted Uncle Nick to build her a chair out of lego's.  So, of course she got one...

The last couple of days have been quiet, lots of rest, lots of fluids, lots of hot baths and lots of sleep.  I am feeling better today and off to get my monthly massage.  I hope I can stay awake for the whole thing!

Hope you have a fantastic day today!

No More Tears

It is that time of year again to be cooking our hearts out for the holidays. This video is my friend Jan, we met through marilu.com, and she is showing you how to cut an onion with no more tears. Best advice EVER! I have been doing this since I watched the video a few months ago and it is so easy and it works!

Let me know if you try it and how it works for you!

Do you have your Thanksgiving meal planned? Do you have to host the meal or are you attending this year?

I am hosting on Thanksgiving for Brian's parents, Nick and Lauren and Jake and Morgan. Chase and his family are going out of town this year and then on Friday, we are going to my parents. I can't wait. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year!

Where YOU live?

Madelyn was here this week as usual, We decided this week to venture out and not stay home and watch Nick Jr or Disney Jr.  She would watch that all day long if you'd let her, so Bumpy and I loaded her up and went out for a little adventure.

We stopped by 17th St to check on the progress of the house.

  Madelyn's favorite thing to talk about these days is where things/people live.  I hear Where you live, Nona?  so many times each time we see her that I have started asking the same question to other people.  She knows where I live - Carl Junction, of course, and I love to hear her say it.  But, she has to ask about everyone and everything she sees.  Todd was there, her great uncle.  Working on the house.  Where Todd live, Nona?  Who he live with, Nona?  So there was a LOT of conversation.  When Todd came over to the car, she freaked out - started crying and wanted Todd to leave.  On Todd's behalf, he had no idea that Madelyn was even in the car, so he was just chatting with me until the screaming started.  He departed quickly, I don't blame him.

The minute he closes the door and walks away - Nona, where Todd live?  All is right with the world.

We also had a fun morning playing kitchen and jewelry.  This might not bode well for her future husband.....  She only wants "onies" (think macaroni) and peas.  I hope she expands her diet in the near future.  Of course, she LOVES jewelry. She wanted several necklaces, 2 bracelets and 2 rings.  Especially on Bumpy.

If you are wearing a ring, you are married.  News to you?  Not so much to Madelyn.  Rings are a MUST to be married.  She asked me who I was married to,  Who you marry, Nona?   I do have a ring....  I said Bumpy. She went over to him and asked to see his ring, there isn't one, and came back and informed me that Bumps isn't married.  News to me....  atleast she knows Bumpy lives with Nona in Carl Junction!

Fun Friend Weekend!

It's always fun to get together with friends.  Especially friends you haven't seen in a while.  I think that one of the best things about facebook is that I have connected with so many of my friends I had lost touch with since high school!

Saturday, I met up with Robin and Patty!  We had a good time catching up, seeing photos of kids and furry babies and just hanging out!

Brian and I also visited the George Washington Carver National Park.  We hadn't been there and decided to venture over and take a look around.  I think it would be gorgeous in the spring when everything is in bloom.

We have decided that there are plenty of things to see locally that we need to check out.
If you have a favorite local place, be sure to share it with me!  We love a good adventure!

Today started my 90 Day Health Challenge.  90 days of clean eating, working out and getting healthy.  I did ChaLEAN Extreme this morning and after more than an hour, my arms and legs are still shaky!  I love that.  Finished up with my results and recovery and muscle formula.  I am planning on seeing some GREAT results!

Not sure if you are aware of it or not, but I have started another business.  I am working with Nerium.  It is an anti-aging night treatment.  There are some really good results happening and I love it.  If you are local and would like to try a sample for 5 days, please get in touch with me.  I tell you, you will NOT be sorry!  My skin is so smooth and age spots are fading, pores are shrinking and lines are filling in!  YAY!

How was your weekend?  Do anything fun?

A little fun

We had a fun Halloween at our house.  The evening started off with a visit from my very favorite pirate! 

We gave her a Tinkerbell movie and some fruit snacks, but somehow she managed to raid the candy too!  She was a little wound up when she was leaving :)

Because it was Monday, Brian's poker night, he went off to play with the boys and I got to hand out our candy by myself.  Yes, I handed out candy.  I've tried other things - raisins, pretzels and even quarters (they were a hit, but it was just too expensive), and I've seen the disappointment on the faces.  So, I am back to candy.  I'll just have to deal with it, however the kids were happy! 

We had a Spongebob, thing one and thing two ( I so wish I had taken their photo - adorable twin girls - a little over a year old) and then of course my favorite SpiderMan....

This is my friend Cole, he broke his elbow a couple of weeks ago and is a huge Spiderman fan!  His mom decorated his cast and it looks just like his costume.  I told him I loved his muscles - he was very happy!!

As the night went on the trick or treaters got older and the costumes less.  So I turned off the light after my gangster stopped by to say hello.  He went up to visit the poker buddies and came back down a few dollars richer! He was also happy!!!

I've started a new very quick morning workout - I'm posting it here and you can join in the fun with me if you want.

Do this 5 days per week when you first get up in the morning: -repeat this cycle 2x:

50 jumping jacks
5 pushups
20 sit ups
20 mountain climbers
30 second plank
7 burpees (used to be called squat thrusts)
 total body

I have done this the last two mornings.  My arms are sore and my booty is feeling it too!  Today I logged it with the fitbit, it took me 11 minutes to do it twice including stretching before and after and a little cool down walk around.  I burned 57 calories and took 431 steps!  

Let me know if you give it a try!