Things I Love...

I want this so bad!!!!

Blech!

I DESPISE packaged chocolate chip cookies!

Ho Hum The Holidays

Christmas came and went so quickly this year that it never really had the opportunity to keep me involved. I am a lover of the holidays! Especially Christmas. But this year, for some reason, it was different. Have I been jaded? I hope not. I'm looking forward to the new year, though. I'm hoping it's a really great and productive one with lots of positive things for everyone. I have a lot of things I want to accomplish in the new year including cleansing myself of all things that hold me back. Should I get a lobotomy for that part of my brain? Anyway, positive all the way, right? YES!

Better

I'm finally feeling better. I think I'm coming around now. It's been tough for me these past couple of weeks but in the end I always trust that things will work out. I need to keep a positive attitude and try to live in the day to day and stop worrying so much. I know, easier said than done. But, I will do it. I know I will.

Sometimes when we're sad...

I want to cry. I want to scream. I want to go far away and not have to think. I am, obviously, overwhelmed right now. I feel my hands shaking and I can't really do anything about it. I am on the verge of tears constantly. I hate feeling this way. I feel like the universe is testing me and checking to see how strong I am right now. I can be strong but too many things have been thrown my way at the moment and I'm dying inside. I put on that happy face every morning and people tell me how chipper I look and they tell me that my smile brightens their day. Really? 'Cause I'm freakin' out on the inside. I've never considered the fact that I may just have a good poker face. I know that what I have going on right now will pass just like everything else in life but it's really a trying time for me. I try to stay positive and move forward but the fact is that I could crumble at any given time. I'm sad and this sucks!

So Cute

via sfgirlbythebay

What a face! Love, Love, Love!

Things I Love...

As usual, all these items are from J Crew. I think they are doing an amazing job with their new collections. I, especially, love this purse. OMG!

LOVE THIS!

Crikey!

Oh dear God! What the hell is this?! I'm sure that's a real alligator too. I've seen some insane looking shoes but these take the cake. Now, I wonder how they'd look with my pencil skirt? :)

Sick

Holy crap! I am so disgusting right now. I've had a stomach virus for the past three days and I can honestly say that I haven't been so sick in a very long time. I guess having autoimmune disease doesn't help with the fact that any simple illness will be double or triple for me in terms of duration and effect. I feel awful. I'm hoping to get back to work by tomorrow and back to some normalcy in terms of how I feel really soon. I hate getting sick and throwing up is one of my biggest fears. Please let me get back to normal soon. Please!

Obsessed!

I am officially obsessed with Twilight fan fiction. I shouldn't be admitting this! What's wrong with me? :/

VACATION!

I am officially on vacation. Yes! I am so excited. We don't really have any plans that are set in stone but here are a few of the things we want to do:

1. museums

2. the beach

3. central park

4. camping

5. Great Wolf Lodge--too expensive!

6. picnic

7. Governor's Island

Sounds good, right? I think so. Let's see how much we can actually do, though.

See ya around!

Tired (again)

This weekend was a little tough for me. I am exhausted once again. It's not like I did much either. I try to take it easy on the weekends but I always end up trying to catch up on the things I don't have time to do during the week. I would love to be able to just wake up and have my coffee and then throw the hours of the day up in the air and let them fall where they may. I guess it's just not part of my personality and if I do sit down for a few minutes my mind races with all the things I should be doing. It's almost as if I feel that there isn't enough time in my day and I need to occupy every hour that passes with something. I know that there is always something I can be doing besides sitting there wasting my time (in my opinion). I think I need to find a new and exciting book to read. I've already read so much these past couple of months and haven't really found anything interesting yet. Any suggestions?

Lions

I found this through Bliss. This photograph is amazing. They look like they are blissfully in love, don't they? So, so pretty.

Breathe (I have to remind myself)

I am looking forward to this weekend. I've been very stressed lately and I need to just take some time to reflect. Things seem to pile up all at once and it really gets me down. I need to take better care of myself and focus on my health. My biggest problem is worrying about everyone and everything else before me. I know it seems like just good ol' common sense to take care of myself but I worry about the rest of the world first. A trip to the town pool and a good book should put me on my way to healing this weekend. I have many other things I need to do but let's see just how much of it I can leave undone. As my old acupuncturist used to say with a calm voice and a heavy accent, "deep breathe.... relax your mind." Maybe I should listen.

Gandhi Said it Best

"Be the change you want to see in the world." Mahatma Gandhi

P.S. Also, this guy looks just like my friend's father. Really!

Just Let It Out

This is how I feel most days! Note to self: Stop repressing the anger stupid!

Things I Love...

all items are from j crew

Eclipse

My friend Maria and I saw this tonight. It was very good. I'd say the best of the 3 movies. Still, I don't think that guys would opt to see this given a choice. Edward, by far, has to take the cake for most romantic man ever. Seriously! But seriously, it was really good, in my opinion. I know Maria definitely loved it. Didn't you?

Brazilian Baby Dancing

I'm speechless!

Seagull Steals Doritos

I love how fast he walks out after casually walking in and checking to see if anyone was looking. If you can't trust seagulls who CAN you trust!

Perfect Summer Outfit

This is my idea of the perfect summer outfit. It would make me really happy. Too bad it's all from Abercrombie and way too expensive. Anything I own from there has always been off the sale rack or the salvation army. That goes for my daughter's Abercrombie clothes as well. I can't justify paying $20 for a pair of rubber flip flops (unless they're Havainas, of course).

I Hate Medicine

OK. So my doctor started me on a new medication for insulin resistence and I'm hoping that all this weirdness I've been feeling over the past couple of months finally goes away. He diagnosed me with metabolic disorder and says that if we nip this in the bud now I won't become a diabetic. It's funny how once you've acquired one disorder it's all downhill from there if you don't really take care of yourself. Domino effect in full effect! I don't like taking medication but I have had no choice due to the fact that what I need to take replaces what my body refuses to do on it's own. Yes, it sucks. I hope this really works for me. I'm, actually, being more cautious with my intake of certain foods. I've never been a big eater but every once in a while I do enjoy my sweets. But, then, who doesn't. I look forward to feeling better! :)

Lovely Door

I had been looking for an excuse to use this... :)

Nice Kicks!

My daughter got these sneakers today and she was so excited. It's actually been a while since I've seen her so excited over anything. She wanted to wear them out of the store and then with her pajamas when she got home. It was really cute to see!

She Did It!

My daughter participated in the 2nd Grade Show. I did not see that one coming at all. She had been avoiding doing anything for a full month before today. I got calls and letters of concern regarding her participation and I just didn't know what to do anymore. So, finally, yesterday we told her that she didn't have to worry about the show and that all she had to do was show up. No pressure to sing--just stand there and if she felt like it maybe she could choose one song to lip sync. Well, go figure, she goes in there and sings all 8 songs. She looked so happy and into it. I was in shock. I went into this with, absolutely, no expectations. Afterward, parents and teachers all came up to her and congratulated her and hugged her and high-fived her! She told me that she felt like she was famous. I am so proud of her. Good for you, peanut!

Books I Love...

I love this story and Mr. Darcy...

Should I admit to this one...

This one is really useful...

I love reading. I've read so many books in my lifetime. I remember spending entire summers reading whole books in a day or two. I would lose myself in the stories and become one with the characters I loved. The story of Heathcliff (Wuthering Heights) was one of my favorites. I read Judy Blume books when I was younger and remember relating to the character of Margaret in "Are You There God? It's Me Margaret." Lately, I've been reading more than I used to. I take out so many books and start to read them all at once. This is not a good thing. I tend to mix the stories and the characters up in my head and confuse myself. At my age, and with the way my brain is working lately, the last thing I need is to confuse myself further. I wish I could express how important reading is to my kids. My son would rather read freaky "Captain Underpants" over and over again than give a good story a chance. I will get him to read better books. It's my new goal starting this summer.

Olay Regenerist Micro Sculpting Serum

I recently started using this product and it makes my skin feel wonderful. It seem to work as far as I can tell. The fragrance is soft and not overwhelming like some facial creams. I'm using this in conjunction with Retin-A since I've had the most impossible breakouts lately. I feel like a teenager. I have to figure out a way to balance these hormones soon or they are going to make me crazy--literally!

I think it just may be

I think I may be suffering from postmenstrual syndrome. Not premenstrual. I used to suffer from the pre kind but now my whole schedule has changed and instead of suffering right before the onset of my menstruation it all happens right after. The weight gain, the fatigue, the irritability (well, this one happens 24/7 now, unfortunately for my kids) the adult acne--it's disgusting! I know that if I ask the doctor he's just going to think I'm nuts. I don't need another person in my life thinking that too. I need to find a natural way to balance myself out. I can't continue feeling so off.

Scorcher!

Boy, was it hot today! 92 Degrees! The kids went out and played in the sprinkler while I cooked. Afterwards, we had those ice pops that look like a rocket ship. I forgot what they're called but they always bring back memories of my childhood. The kind that are red, white and blue and absolutely delicious. It was the perfect day for them. Mmmm!

Fantastic Indeed!

Fantastic Mr Fox has to be one of the best movies out. I think I liked it better than my own children did. I think I can relate to Ash. You know, because he's just a bit different!

P.S. For some reason, this fox reminds me of my daughter--physically!

Some days are bad

My son is having a really hard time today. He's been on the brink of tears since the day started. When we came back home today from our outing I ran him a very warm bath with 5 cups of epsom salt to soothe him back to normal. I think it may have worked because he seems much happier now. I hate days like these. They smack me in the face with the reality of his condition. I tend to forget. I wish that speaking to him would take some effect with him when he's feeling overwhelmed but that's easier said than done. Sometimes I just have to let him be. Hopefully, tomorrow is a better day. Here's hoping.

Simplify

Hi. It's been a while. I've been trying to keep my self together and sane for the past couple of months. We've had a lot going on but all I can say is that I'm positive that all things happen for a reason and that in the end things always work out. I've been meaning to start fresh in many aspects of my life. You know--getting rid of the toxic elements in life and starting new. I've made some changes already. One has been the removal of toxic individuals in my life who took up so much time and effort and in the grand scheme of things were not worth it. I tried, though. I always do. But is it really worth giving up my health and my happiness for people who, no matter what you do, will always find something to bitch and moan about? Not in my book, at least, not anymore. It took me almost forty years to finally stand up for myself and I'm positive that this time it's for good. I'm premenopausal for God's sake. It's about time I started realizing what I should have realized many years ago. So, with that in mind, I have all kinds of plans to follow through on. Here's a short list:

1. Stop being such a consumer. The world has enough crap in it already and I don't need to add on to that. I've been a pretty good consumer for many years and I think there's a whole lot of other things I can spend my energy on.

2. Downsize. And by this I mean reducing the amount of things I have. I have a love of purses and bags. Ooh, I love them. But do I really need so many. So, in this respect, I plan to keep only what I use and need and get rid of the rest. My husband is one of those people who needs two pairs of shoes. One pair for work and one pair for going out. That's it. Life really is much simpler that way.

3. I've never been one to keep up with the Jones'. But now I think I'm just gonna keep up with myself.

My list is longer. But I can't think of all the things I want to do right now so when I do I'll post them. For now, I'm going to start with the basics and that means use what I already have and not purchase anything new until everything is used up. I'm going to do it. You'll see.

Things I Love

These boots are amazing.

I absolutely love this outfit. It is perfect.

Look what Santa bought us!

As I was downloading pictures from our digital camera today I came across this. This is my daughter. She made herself into a gift for us and I had no idea this picture was in there. This picture made me laugh!

Snow!

I HATE SNOW! And you know how much we're supposed to get? 18 inches! The only positive thing about this is that I get to stay home today.

Just a thought

You know what weirds me out? That one shoe you see in the middle of the road every once in a while. I can't help the thoughts that run through my mind. Especially, if it's a little shoe. Eeek! Heebie Jeebies!

WTF

I'm watching a documentary on Janis Joplin at the moment and all I can say is "I don't get it!"

The Dream Car

This is it! This is the van. The Freedom Rock Van! I can just see myself now...driving up to my farm in Montana. I love it!

New Cookbook

I'm checking out this new cookbook. I'm looking it over to see if it's worth keeping. Isn't it pretty? And it's huge, too.

Shame On You Target

This morning I took a quick trip to my neighborhood Target to pick up a box of cereal for my breakfast at work. As I walked through the clearance aisles, I came across a bunch of plain Kix cereal boxes and realized that they weren't priced for clearance so I picked one up and walked over to one of the nearest scanners. As I attempted to scan the box the price kept coming up as $0.00. I asked one of the associates if she knew what the price was and she asked me where I got it. I told her that there were a bunch of them on the clearance rack. She then told me that she couldn't sell it to me because after several markdowns the price comes up at 0.00 and that means that it is due to be disposed of. I asked her if they were going to throw them out and she said yes and that at that point she would have to take them off the shelves. I asked her if they would consider giving them to a homeless shelter or a food bank and she told me that they don't donate any food items because of legal and liability issues. At that point I became really sad inside. I couldn't believe that a perfectly good box of food, especially in these economic times, would be discarded. In a country of such abundance we are so wasteful and obnoxious. She told me that I didn't know the half of it. She told me they don't even let the employees take the food home. When I got to work I did a quick search on companies and their policies regarding food and almost all large companies have the same way of dealing with food. It is absolutely disgraceful. It really makes me think about our priorities as a country. We seem to be more concerned with a lawsuit than the well being of our people. Target--I'm not happy with you. I buy so many things there including my medication. I may have to reconsider my buying options. What an absolute let down.

Happy New Year!

Wishing everyone a very happy and prosperous new year! Out with the old and in with the new. I have a very good feeling about the year ahead. We've got to believe that the best is yet to come. We've had one hell of a lesson learned in the past year and it's time to put that knowledge to work for us. Good luck and blessings to all of us. Be back soon.