New Office Building!!!
Gym in the Building! Free Access!
Exercise and Fitness here we come!!!
My office view from the East!
My Office view from the South!!!
SOOOOO EXCITED!!!! CAN'T WAIT!!!!
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Anticipation!!!! I feel like a Ketchup Bottle!!!!
Well Folks - after 10 long years of dedicated service to Sea Shipping, I am finally moving upward and onward. Tomorrow is my last day at Sea Shipping, and I start a new job and a whole new set of challenges with Intermarine USA. The whole thing is so bittersweet for me. Sea Shipping has been my family for 10 years now - has stood beside me and supported me during my cancer treatment, and has been quite a landmark in my professional history. This is the longest that I have ever stayed with any company in my entire professional career. Somewhat sad over leaving =( However!!! On a good note, the new company is HUGE...much room for advancement, AND I got a 10,000 dollar pay raise! Can't beat that with a stick!! Additionally - I will be working with hundreds of new people - which will give me a HUGE opportunity to expand my social life! On top of that - our offices will be moving downtown soon, which is only 12 miles from my home, only HALF the distance that I drive now, plus...I will no longer have to pay the toll fees - which will save me 40.00 a month! There are nothing but benefits! I am scared - I have to admit...it's a new set of challenges, and I will definitely be stepping out of my comfort zone...but I think this is EXACTLY what I need emotionally at this point. Oh, and did I mention - that there is a full gym in the hi-rise building that we are moving to - that we have FREE access to??? Yup!! No excuse for not working out anymore! I have to admit - that it is hard to sit here and work - I just dont want to - perhaps because I know that I am leaving - but...I just keep telling myself...plug on - plug on....tomorrow is the start of a new chapter in your life...God is Good!!!!!
Monday, April 22, 2013
With the Right Pair of Shoes, a girl can accomplish anything....Even Curtis Stone thinks so!!!!
Guys - I had the most wonderful experience of a lifetime yesterday!!! My precious daughter is a professional blogger...you can find her at http://www.charmandsass.com/....anyway!!! She totally scored a pair of VIP passes to the cooking show and book signing with Celebrity Chef Curtis Stone yesterday. For those of you that don't know him - here's a little bio! Most of you that know him, probably know him from his guest appearances on TV's "The Biggest Loser"
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Curtis Stone (born 4 November 1975) is an Australian celebrity chef, author and television personality, nicknamed "The Quiet Terminator"[1][2] by fans following his performance on The Celebrity Apprentice 3.
He was born in Melbourne, Australia. Stone began cooking with his grandmother at the age of five. He attended Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School. His father, Bryan Stone, is an accountant.[citation needed]
Stone studied for a Bachelor of Business degree before deciding to pursue a career as a chef.[3] He worked at some top Australian restaurants before leaving to work at various restaurants in London. In Australia, he debuted his cooking career at age 18 at the Savoy Hotel.[4] On completing his qualifications as a chef, Stone began cooking in London under Marco Pierre White at the Café Royal and Mirabelle.[5] He went on to become head chef at White's Quo Vadis where he worked with James Robertson who went on to own the London Steakhouse Company with Marco Pierre White.
[edit] TelevisionStone returned briefly to Australia to make the travelling cooking show Surfing the Menu (on ABC TV) with another chef, Ben O'Donoghue.[6]
Stone had appeared on a number of cooking programmes in the UK, including Dinner in a Box, Good Food Live and Saturday Kitchen. He also hosted the first season of My Restaurant Rules in Australia. Beginning in May 2006, Stone hosted Take Home Chef on TLC in the United States,[7] which went on to become an international hit for TLC.[citation needed]
Stone appears regularly on NBC's Today. His second appearance in 2007 featured him visiting the home of host Meredith Vieira to teach her how to cook, as her children had complained that she did not know how.[8] On 14 January 2011, Stone co-hosted the fourth hour of Today with Hoda Kotb.[9] He has also appeared on Martha Stewart's show Martha, Access Hollywood, Lopez Tonight and The Nate Berkus Show. On 7 June 2011, Curtis was a guest on Conan, where he taught Conan O'Brien how to prepare the perfect date night meal.[10]
Stone has appeared on Food Network's Iron Chef America in the episode "Battle Skipjack Tuna," where he lost to Iron Chef Bobby Flay.[11] Stone has also appeared on several episodes of The Biggest Loser.
Stone was a candidate on The Celebrity Apprentice 3, which premiered in March 2010 and was the third installment to the celebrity version of The Apprentice. The show premiered on 14 March 2010, and Stone was fired on 16 May 2010, placing fourth out of 14 contestants. Stone has also made appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and The Oprah Winfrey Show. Stone appeared on a segment of Oprah's Ultimate Australian Adventure, a four-day television event that aired in January 2011. Stone threw the talk show host a beach barbecue on Hamilton Island's Whitehaven Beach using Australia's best seafood, meats and produce.[12]
In June 2010 it was announced that Stone would join the judging and investment panel on NBC's new series America's Next Great Restaurant alongside Bobby Flay, Steve Ells and Lorena Garcia.[13] The first season aired in 2011 directly followed by the fourth edition of The Celebrity Apprentice, where Stone made a guest appearance on the first episode.[14]
In 2011, Stone became host of the third season of Bravo's Top Chef Masters, replacing Kelly Choi.[15] In January 2012, Bravo announced Stone would co-host a new culinary reality show called Around the World in 80 Plates with fellow celebrity chef Cat Cora. The series, which premiered in May 2012, follows 12 chefs competing in a culinary race across 10 countries in 44 days.[16]
Stone has appeared in ads for Coles Supermarkets, Hy-Vee[17] and Great Grains cereal. In 2011, Stone described to GQ Australia[2] his relationship with big supermarkets: "I never even thought about working for a supermarket. But there’s that feeling you get when you walk down the street and someone comes up and says, ‘You know what? We never used to cook fish in our house. Since we’ve tried that salmon recipe we have it once a week.’ The feeling that gives you is worth a million other things".[18]
In August 2012 he appeared in an episode of MasterChef Australia All-Stars.
In 2007 Stone hosted the Great Barrier Feast Culinary Masterclass event on Hamilton Island featuring other notable Australian chefs, including Geoff Jansz, Shannon Bennett, and Justin North.[19]
In 2008 Stone developed "Kitchen Solutions by Curtis Stone,"[20] a line of kitchen utensils, accessories and glassware. He also has written a series of cookbooks, including Surfing the Menu: Two Chefs, One Journey: A Fresh Food Adventure and Cooking With Curtis: Easy, Everyday and Adventurous Recipes for the Home Cook. His latest book, Relaxed Cooking with Curtis Stone: Recipes to Put You in My Favorite Mood, was released in 2009.[21][22]
In 2010, Stone gave a cooking class and demonstration at the Singapore Sun Festival.[23] In October 2010 it was announced that Stone had created recipes for in-flight meals for United Airlines.[24]
Curtis Stone is also creating recipes for West Des Moines, IA-based Hy-Vee grocery stores.[citation needed]
In 2011, he was appointed as an Ambassador for Cottage by the Sea, alongside Big Wave Surfer Jeff Rowley and Olympian Cathy Freeman. These high profile Australians have been enlisted by Cottage by the Sea as Ambassadors, who give up their own time to support the charity to raise needed funds and share why children in need deserve to have the experience of their lifetime.[citation needed]
(information from wikipedia!!!)
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SSSSSSSSSOOOOOOOOOOO back to my story!!! The weekend was totally busy - worked on Friday - took my boys out for Crawfish (yup - it's mudbug season!!) and a few Micheladas on Friday night, cleaned house, went to see "Oblivion" Saturday afternoon (it wasn't THAT great - but Tom still looks good for nearly 50...or is he already????) then went out to the Bar with a couple of girlfriends Saturday night (more Micheladas - too many =( honestly). I'm not much of a drinker, but I was feeling great Saturday night - so I drank....yeah....DRANK =( I had an awesome time though - and it felt so good to feel good enough to get out and have fun!!! Got home around midnight, and believe it or not, was up Sunday morning at 5 am!! I couldn't believe that! I went to the grocery store at 7...uuugh....I hate buying groceries!!! Actually - I love it - I just dont like spending the money! Came home, put the groceries away, and started getting dolled up for the Meet N Greet!! I had made a stop into Dot's on Saturday, thinking that I would like to buy something cute to wear - wasn't particularly thrilled with the outfit - but I loved the shoes!!!! Picked my baby girl up at 11, and off we went!!!
When we arrived at the Tanger Outlets, I thought I was going to just squeal with excitement! Actually - I think I did squeal! There were FOOD TRUCKS everywhere!!! All I could think of was the food network show "The Great Food Truck Race". I was like a kid in a candy store!!! Since I am a baker, we hit the cake ball store first - bought three - they were pretty - but I liked mine better - however - the taste was PHENOM!! Key Lime, Lemon, and Ginger Beer....I only had a bite of the key lime, none of the lemon, and I had the whole Ginger Beer one - and I gotta tell ya they were worth every last little calorie =) Next we hit the cupcake truck....mmmm....small selection, we chose the tropical cupcake - it was pretty - had a sugar surfboard on top that was cute but was not hand made, and the cupcake left a lot to be desired. The cake itself was very moist, but it was lacking something - needed some tang....a little lemon might have just done the trick! The last truck we hit was called "Pocket to Me", as you can tell by the name - everything on the menu was in a pita pocket! That one- I have to say, I really really enjoyed! I had the fried shrimp pocket, it was topped with mixed baby greens and remolaude sauce, and my daughter had the fish pocket, which was fried cod topped with cole slaw. It was absoloutely delish!!!
After we finished stuffing our pie holes, we checked in at the VIP desk next to the stage where the cooking demonstration was to take place. It was so neat - we got these nifty laniards that had Curtis's photo on them, and stated in BIG BOLD LETTERS - VIP ACCESS. Was so cool - we got to sit in reserved seating - just a few feet from the stage, and were first in line for book signing and photographs. I don't have the professional photos that were taken yet - I expect them to be on line tomorrow....but I digress!!!!
So - Curtis comes out, and totally charms the whole audience...can I just say that he has eyes that could stop a train, and the most beautiful pearly whites I have ever seen? Lemme tell ya ladies....the food wasn't the only thing there that was smokin hot!! And talk about funny....this guy has such a wonderful sense of humor...he had the whole audience rolling - throughout the whole presentation!
ok ok - I'm rambling....long story short - he did two demos, then it was my turn for my five minutes of fame!!! The first two demos had taken up most of his allocated time, so he asked if anyone in the audience had a stop watch, and made a bet that he could complete his beef stir fry in 5 minutes or he would stay and cook everyone dinner =) I couldn't believe it....no one spoke up...and I thought to myself...damn ladies!!! Everyone of you has a smartphone - don't you know they have stopwatches on there? Of course I took no time volunteering - and before you know it - I was being helped on stage - holding the hand of that beautiful Curtis Stone!!! And girls....are you ready for this??? The first thing he said to me was "Hello Gorgeous - by the way - I LOVE YOUR SHOES!!!" ARE YOU FLIPPING KIDDING ME???? At that very moment I thought to myself....then you should come home with me and see the OTHER 77 pairs I have!! You would love them!!! I was thanking the good lord at that moment that I made that trip to Dot's....it is TRUE! With the right pair of shoes, a girl CAN accomplish anything!!!! So - there you have it - there I was, on stage, flirting and laughing and hamming it up with Curtis Stone, and timing him to make sure he finished his stir fry in 5 minutes! I hafta tell ya - it was the experience of a lifetime - and when he finished it (in 4 min 55 seconds) he even FED it to me!! Hugs and 2 kisses and off I went, to spend the rest of the day in complete bliss!!
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Curtis Stone (born 4 November 1975) is an Australian celebrity chef, author and television personality, nicknamed "The Quiet Terminator"[1][2] by fans following his performance on The Celebrity Apprentice 3.
He was born in Melbourne, Australia. Stone began cooking with his grandmother at the age of five. He attended Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School. His father, Bryan Stone, is an accountant.[citation needed]
Stone studied for a Bachelor of Business degree before deciding to pursue a career as a chef.[3] He worked at some top Australian restaurants before leaving to work at various restaurants in London. In Australia, he debuted his cooking career at age 18 at the Savoy Hotel.[4] On completing his qualifications as a chef, Stone began cooking in London under Marco Pierre White at the Café Royal and Mirabelle.[5] He went on to become head chef at White's Quo Vadis where he worked with James Robertson who went on to own the London Steakhouse Company with Marco Pierre White.
[edit] TelevisionStone returned briefly to Australia to make the travelling cooking show Surfing the Menu (on ABC TV) with another chef, Ben O'Donoghue.[6]
Stone had appeared on a number of cooking programmes in the UK, including Dinner in a Box, Good Food Live and Saturday Kitchen. He also hosted the first season of My Restaurant Rules in Australia. Beginning in May 2006, Stone hosted Take Home Chef on TLC in the United States,[7] which went on to become an international hit for TLC.[citation needed]
Stone appears regularly on NBC's Today. His second appearance in 2007 featured him visiting the home of host Meredith Vieira to teach her how to cook, as her children had complained that she did not know how.[8] On 14 January 2011, Stone co-hosted the fourth hour of Today with Hoda Kotb.[9] He has also appeared on Martha Stewart's show Martha, Access Hollywood, Lopez Tonight and The Nate Berkus Show. On 7 June 2011, Curtis was a guest on Conan, where he taught Conan O'Brien how to prepare the perfect date night meal.[10]
Stone has appeared on Food Network's Iron Chef America in the episode "Battle Skipjack Tuna," where he lost to Iron Chef Bobby Flay.[11] Stone has also appeared on several episodes of The Biggest Loser.
Stone was a candidate on The Celebrity Apprentice 3, which premiered in March 2010 and was the third installment to the celebrity version of The Apprentice. The show premiered on 14 March 2010, and Stone was fired on 16 May 2010, placing fourth out of 14 contestants. Stone has also made appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and The Oprah Winfrey Show. Stone appeared on a segment of Oprah's Ultimate Australian Adventure, a four-day television event that aired in January 2011. Stone threw the talk show host a beach barbecue on Hamilton Island's Whitehaven Beach using Australia's best seafood, meats and produce.[12]
In June 2010 it was announced that Stone would join the judging and investment panel on NBC's new series America's Next Great Restaurant alongside Bobby Flay, Steve Ells and Lorena Garcia.[13] The first season aired in 2011 directly followed by the fourth edition of The Celebrity Apprentice, where Stone made a guest appearance on the first episode.[14]
In 2011, Stone became host of the third season of Bravo's Top Chef Masters, replacing Kelly Choi.[15] In January 2012, Bravo announced Stone would co-host a new culinary reality show called Around the World in 80 Plates with fellow celebrity chef Cat Cora. The series, which premiered in May 2012, follows 12 chefs competing in a culinary race across 10 countries in 44 days.[16]
Stone has appeared in ads for Coles Supermarkets, Hy-Vee[17] and Great Grains cereal. In 2011, Stone described to GQ Australia[2] his relationship with big supermarkets: "I never even thought about working for a supermarket. But there’s that feeling you get when you walk down the street and someone comes up and says, ‘You know what? We never used to cook fish in our house. Since we’ve tried that salmon recipe we have it once a week.’ The feeling that gives you is worth a million other things".[18]
In August 2012 he appeared in an episode of MasterChef Australia All-Stars.
In 2007 Stone hosted the Great Barrier Feast Culinary Masterclass event on Hamilton Island featuring other notable Australian chefs, including Geoff Jansz, Shannon Bennett, and Justin North.[19]
In 2008 Stone developed "Kitchen Solutions by Curtis Stone,"[20] a line of kitchen utensils, accessories and glassware. He also has written a series of cookbooks, including Surfing the Menu: Two Chefs, One Journey: A Fresh Food Adventure and Cooking With Curtis: Easy, Everyday and Adventurous Recipes for the Home Cook. His latest book, Relaxed Cooking with Curtis Stone: Recipes to Put You in My Favorite Mood, was released in 2009.[21][22]
In 2010, Stone gave a cooking class and demonstration at the Singapore Sun Festival.[23] In October 2010 it was announced that Stone had created recipes for in-flight meals for United Airlines.[24]
Curtis Stone is also creating recipes for West Des Moines, IA-based Hy-Vee grocery stores.[citation needed]
In 2011, he was appointed as an Ambassador for Cottage by the Sea, alongside Big Wave Surfer Jeff Rowley and Olympian Cathy Freeman. These high profile Australians have been enlisted by Cottage by the Sea as Ambassadors, who give up their own time to support the charity to raise needed funds and share why children in need deserve to have the experience of their lifetime.[citation needed]
(information from wikipedia!!!)
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SSSSSSSSSOOOOOOOOOOO back to my story!!! The weekend was totally busy - worked on Friday - took my boys out for Crawfish (yup - it's mudbug season!!) and a few Micheladas on Friday night, cleaned house, went to see "Oblivion" Saturday afternoon (it wasn't THAT great - but Tom still looks good for nearly 50...or is he already????) then went out to the Bar with a couple of girlfriends Saturday night (more Micheladas - too many =( honestly). I'm not much of a drinker, but I was feeling great Saturday night - so I drank....yeah....DRANK =( I had an awesome time though - and it felt so good to feel good enough to get out and have fun!!! Got home around midnight, and believe it or not, was up Sunday morning at 5 am!! I couldn't believe that! I went to the grocery store at 7...uuugh....I hate buying groceries!!! Actually - I love it - I just dont like spending the money! Came home, put the groceries away, and started getting dolled up for the Meet N Greet!! I had made a stop into Dot's on Saturday, thinking that I would like to buy something cute to wear - wasn't particularly thrilled with the outfit - but I loved the shoes!!!! Picked my baby girl up at 11, and off we went!!!
When we arrived at the Tanger Outlets, I thought I was going to just squeal with excitement! Actually - I think I did squeal! There were FOOD TRUCKS everywhere!!! All I could think of was the food network show "The Great Food Truck Race". I was like a kid in a candy store!!! Since I am a baker, we hit the cake ball store first - bought three - they were pretty - but I liked mine better - however - the taste was PHENOM!! Key Lime, Lemon, and Ginger Beer....I only had a bite of the key lime, none of the lemon, and I had the whole Ginger Beer one - and I gotta tell ya they were worth every last little calorie =) Next we hit the cupcake truck....mmmm....small selection, we chose the tropical cupcake - it was pretty - had a sugar surfboard on top that was cute but was not hand made, and the cupcake left a lot to be desired. The cake itself was very moist, but it was lacking something - needed some tang....a little lemon might have just done the trick! The last truck we hit was called "Pocket to Me", as you can tell by the name - everything on the menu was in a pita pocket! That one- I have to say, I really really enjoyed! I had the fried shrimp pocket, it was topped with mixed baby greens and remolaude sauce, and my daughter had the fish pocket, which was fried cod topped with cole slaw. It was absoloutely delish!!!
After we finished stuffing our pie holes, we checked in at the VIP desk next to the stage where the cooking demonstration was to take place. It was so neat - we got these nifty laniards that had Curtis's photo on them, and stated in BIG BOLD LETTERS - VIP ACCESS. Was so cool - we got to sit in reserved seating - just a few feet from the stage, and were first in line for book signing and photographs. I don't have the professional photos that were taken yet - I expect them to be on line tomorrow....but I digress!!!!
So - Curtis comes out, and totally charms the whole audience...can I just say that he has eyes that could stop a train, and the most beautiful pearly whites I have ever seen? Lemme tell ya ladies....the food wasn't the only thing there that was smokin hot!! And talk about funny....this guy has such a wonderful sense of humor...he had the whole audience rolling - throughout the whole presentation!
ok ok - I'm rambling....long story short - he did two demos, then it was my turn for my five minutes of fame!!! The first two demos had taken up most of his allocated time, so he asked if anyone in the audience had a stop watch, and made a bet that he could complete his beef stir fry in 5 minutes or he would stay and cook everyone dinner =) I couldn't believe it....no one spoke up...and I thought to myself...damn ladies!!! Everyone of you has a smartphone - don't you know they have stopwatches on there? Of course I took no time volunteering - and before you know it - I was being helped on stage - holding the hand of that beautiful Curtis Stone!!! And girls....are you ready for this??? The first thing he said to me was "Hello Gorgeous - by the way - I LOVE YOUR SHOES!!!" ARE YOU FLIPPING KIDDING ME???? At that very moment I thought to myself....then you should come home with me and see the OTHER 77 pairs I have!! You would love them!!! I was thanking the good lord at that moment that I made that trip to Dot's....it is TRUE! With the right pair of shoes, a girl CAN accomplish anything!!!! So - there you have it - there I was, on stage, flirting and laughing and hamming it up with Curtis Stone, and timing him to make sure he finished his stir fry in 5 minutes! I hafta tell ya - it was the experience of a lifetime - and when he finished it (in 4 min 55 seconds) he even FED it to me!! Hugs and 2 kisses and off I went, to spend the rest of the day in complete bliss!!
I only have 1 photo to share right now as my daughter hasnt posted the rest of them yet....but here ya go gals!! Eat your hearts out!! Sorry - I don't really mean that - I wish each and every one of you could have been there....you sooooo would have loved this man!!
Anywho....thank you so much to Tanger outlets for putting on the event, and a huge thank you with all the love I can give to my baby girl for giving me this once in a lifetime experience!! And to Curtis Stone - you have officially replaced Aaron Lewis as man of my dreams....You Rawk!!!!
Head outta the clouds and back to work....****sigh****Happy Monday Sisters!!!
Monday, April 15, 2013
Prayers for Boston
My Heart is filled with sadness today as I read all of the headlines and comments regarding this terrible bombing tragedy in Boston. I would like to take this moment to pray for the victims and their families.
May God lift up the victims of this terrible travesty, and may they sit in glory at his right hand. May the families of the victims be wrapped in God's never ending love and comfort, and find strength through faith in him the Lord Almighty.
Many may not share my faith....many would say...if there is such a God, then why would he allow these terrible things to happen....remember....God does not allow these things to happen. When God created man, he gave us the gift of free will, and with that gift, we, as humans, have the ability to choose good or evil. We, as a nation, have allowed our Government to remove God from our schools, we have allowed our Government to make it illegal to punish our children, and many of us, of our own free will, have not instilled the values that we grew up with, in our children. WE - mankind - have created this monster, and in my opinion, the only way to fix it - is to get back to core values, and teach our children to know the one and only Lord our God. MY GOD.....you don't have to like what I have to say, and you certainly don't have to agree with it...and if you don't then don't read it....I'm sorry if this post offends anyone....I'm heartbroken
Dear God - I pray not only for the victims of this horrible tragedy and their families, but also for the tormented souls who put this in motion. May you cover them with your everlasting grace and forgiveness.
God Bless Boston
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Help! My Mom is on Facebook!!!!
Howdy Folks!!! Hope everyone is fabulously awesome on this wonderful Wednesday!
I came across this photo today, and just couldn't help but blog about it....
Did you know that there are more than 950 MILLION facebook users worldwide, and over 500 MILLION log on EVERY SINGLE DAY?
Yup - you got it....and guess what!!! One of them is probably your MOM!!!!
haha....yeah....Guilty as charged.....
I have been a facebook user since 2008, and although I don't log on EVERY day....I do enjoy getting my dose of funnies every chance I get!
Lucky for me, I have one kiddo that interacts with me often on Facebook...It's a great way to keep up with the things that she and the grandkiddos are doing, and to share our family photos
#luvmyminime HEHE...Yeah...a little twitter humor there =0)
The other kiddo...hhhhaaaaa....not so much....I think that I have embarrassed him on more occasions that I can even count....not intentionally of course...but you know - Mom WILL NOT be censored on the FB page.....NOT HAPPENING!!!
I have finally learned to stop posting on his FB in order to save him the embarrasment lol...I think he hates it most when I refer to him as "Mama's Boy" lol!!!
So dooooo tell??? Are your parents on Facebook? Are you FB friends, and if so.....what is the most embarrassing thing your parents have posted on your wall???
Love to hear this!!! Ought to be a riot!!!!!
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
The Ugly Truth
Well folks,
I gotta tell you that I had a true "Aha" moment today....one that I have been waiting on for a very long time. I'm not sure what prompted it....but when it hit me..it hit like a ton of bricks.
I've always been one to believe that people are a product of their environment. You know - if you are around positive people, you stay positive...if you are around people that suck the life out of you....you become listless....if you are around people that are mean, you yourself become mean....if you are around people that have a low self image, your self esteem plummets....
Unfortunately, I haven't done a very good job of keeping those people at bay....largely because I have a huge heart, and always try to see the best in others, and secondly because I always think that I have to FIX people...even when I cannot even fix myself.
It dawned on me today, that several people who I have been very close to over the past several years....are now almost completely absent from my life....even in areas as easily accessible as social networking sites. Leave a comment or tag them in a comment or post...and get no comment or even acknowledgement that you have mentioned or spoken to them....it really sucks...and can I just say that it really does a number on your feelings and emotions....Sooooo...I spent the better part of the afternoon analyzing the situation, and it revealed to me some very viable reasons why things may be this way.
First and foremost....I have to admit that for the last 14 months I've been pretty damn self absorbed....yeah....I admit it...and I'm definitely not proud of it....however - in my own defense...give Cancer a shot....it'll kinda do that to you. It kinda screws your brain up...til you can't tell which way is up...fortunately - by the grace of God, I think I've finally found it!!!
Second....I have had to take a good hard look at some of the people I have held close to me during that time....and while each and every one of them I love dearly....I have found traces of their personalities that totally infected me to the very core....and I am completely ashamed of it. Some who gossip incessantly, some who are continually depressed and will not fight to pull themselves out of it no matter what opportunities are laid before them, some who take pleasure at the misfortune of others, some who are self righteous, and some who are just plain mean. I honestly, could count on two hands, the number of people in my life who have been a positive and loving influence in my life over the last couple of years. Please understand..I am not being judgmental....these are people that I love dearly...but lets face it....we all have character flaws, and are sinners by nature. God knows I am....Looking back on the last year or so, I have come to realize that at some point or another, I have exhibited each and every one of these actions....and did so of my own free will. Not intentionally...but by way of allowing myself to succumb to my surroundings and feeling sorry for myself. The gravest of these, being not standing up for the people that I love, and falling into the trap in order to please someone else.
With that said, I would like to take this time to express my sincerest apologies to my friends and my family....for allowing myself to become a victim of my own circumstances and for hurting anyone that I may have been unfair to along the path to destruction. I found it easier to wallow in my own self pity, and in the hurt inflicted on me by others....than to pick my fat behind up, dust it off, and never look back. I pray for forgiveness...and am thankful to those who loved me enough to put up with my insanity and still hang around.
Today....I closed a door so that God may open others for me....I let go of "what could have been's" and made it my solemn vow to find joy in every moment that I could possibly find it in, and made a promise to myself...that if someone I love is not good for me...I will love them from afar...and wish them sunlight and happiness every time they cross my path or cross my mind.
I gotta tell you that I had a true "Aha" moment today....one that I have been waiting on for a very long time. I'm not sure what prompted it....but when it hit me..it hit like a ton of bricks.
I've always been one to believe that people are a product of their environment. You know - if you are around positive people, you stay positive...if you are around people that suck the life out of you....you become listless....if you are around people that are mean, you yourself become mean....if you are around people that have a low self image, your self esteem plummets....
Unfortunately, I haven't done a very good job of keeping those people at bay....largely because I have a huge heart, and always try to see the best in others, and secondly because I always think that I have to FIX people...even when I cannot even fix myself.
It dawned on me today, that several people who I have been very close to over the past several years....are now almost completely absent from my life....even in areas as easily accessible as social networking sites. Leave a comment or tag them in a comment or post...and get no comment or even acknowledgement that you have mentioned or spoken to them....it really sucks...and can I just say that it really does a number on your feelings and emotions....Sooooo...I spent the better part of the afternoon analyzing the situation, and it revealed to me some very viable reasons why things may be this way.
First and foremost....I have to admit that for the last 14 months I've been pretty damn self absorbed....yeah....I admit it...and I'm definitely not proud of it....however - in my own defense...give Cancer a shot....it'll kinda do that to you. It kinda screws your brain up...til you can't tell which way is up...fortunately - by the grace of God, I think I've finally found it!!!
Second....I have had to take a good hard look at some of the people I have held close to me during that time....and while each and every one of them I love dearly....I have found traces of their personalities that totally infected me to the very core....and I am completely ashamed of it. Some who gossip incessantly, some who are continually depressed and will not fight to pull themselves out of it no matter what opportunities are laid before them, some who take pleasure at the misfortune of others, some who are self righteous, and some who are just plain mean. I honestly, could count on two hands, the number of people in my life who have been a positive and loving influence in my life over the last couple of years. Please understand..I am not being judgmental....these are people that I love dearly...but lets face it....we all have character flaws, and are sinners by nature. God knows I am....Looking back on the last year or so, I have come to realize that at some point or another, I have exhibited each and every one of these actions....and did so of my own free will. Not intentionally...but by way of allowing myself to succumb to my surroundings and feeling sorry for myself. The gravest of these, being not standing up for the people that I love, and falling into the trap in order to please someone else.
With that said, I would like to take this time to express my sincerest apologies to my friends and my family....for allowing myself to become a victim of my own circumstances and for hurting anyone that I may have been unfair to along the path to destruction. I found it easier to wallow in my own self pity, and in the hurt inflicted on me by others....than to pick my fat behind up, dust it off, and never look back. I pray for forgiveness...and am thankful to those who loved me enough to put up with my insanity and still hang around.
Today....I closed a door so that God may open others for me....I let go of "what could have been's" and made it my solemn vow to find joy in every moment that I could possibly find it in, and made a promise to myself...that if someone I love is not good for me...I will love them from afar...and wish them sunlight and happiness every time they cross my path or cross my mind.
what used to be
closing the door on what will never be.....
placing it in the waste receptacle, in the past, and moving toward the future
Let's hear it for new beginnings =o)
Monday, April 1, 2013
Bittersweet Mondays - Happy Birthday Mama
Afternoon Folks =)
Let me apologize first hand...you will have to excuse the melancholy today....
While today I rejoice that our Saviour has risen, and today I give thanks for my my beautiful family, the memories we have made, and the memories yet to come....this day is bittersweet.
Today, WOULD have been my beautiful Mother's 67th birthday. I grieve mostly, on this day, because I wish so much that my mom were here to know her grandchildren and her great grandchildren. She would have been so in love with them all!
What I wouldn't give - just once more....to be wrapped in her arms again =) I won't make this post long and sappy....I'm already boo hoo-ing at my desk.....I love you and miss you Mom
Let me apologize first hand...you will have to excuse the melancholy today....
While today I rejoice that our Saviour has risen, and today I give thanks for my my beautiful family, the memories we have made, and the memories yet to come....this day is bittersweet.
Today, WOULD have been my beautiful Mother's 67th birthday. I grieve mostly, on this day, because I wish so much that my mom were here to know her grandchildren and her great grandchildren. She would have been so in love with them all!
What I wouldn't give - just once more....to be wrapped in her arms again =) I won't make this post long and sappy....I'm already boo hoo-ing at my desk.....I love you and miss you Mom
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Wednesday Blahs!
Well...its been a helluva week so far! Monday started off not so great...had a doctor's appointment due to extreme pain that I've been having underneath my rib cage for several days now, got a text message it's 6 a.m. for my coworker telling me that she was not want to be in because she had a migrain, immediately had to cancel my doctor's appointment. by the time 4 p.m. rolled around I was in excruciating painand told my boss that I had to leave. Headed straight to the ER. Since I am a breast cancer survivor, and was having chest pains I didn't even sit down in the ER. They took me in immediately and let me just say that the male nurse was absolutely HAWT!!!! that definitely makes things a little better :-) 4 and a half hours later, a big fat shot of morphine, a cat scan, chest xrays and an ultrasound of my liver and gallbladder the ER doctor proceeded to tell me that all test came back negative and they could find absolutely nothing wrong with me. Insert :-) here? Yes, I should have been happy that there was nothing found however, I'm really pissed about the fact that no 1 seems to be able to find out what is wrong with me and why I'm in so much pain! Stayed home from work yesterday, in bed all day still in excruciating pain.Drug myself to work this morning and then to a doctor's appointment at 12:20 . Oncologist said that it didn't seem to be breast related,so I needed to see my general physician. when I arrived for my appointment 15 minutes late (totally not normal for me, I'm a total time freak) the first thing out of doctor Wong's mouth was "where the heck if you been?" I quickly retorted "to hell and back" with a snicker and proceeded to explain the breast cancer....would you believe it? Doctor Wong is currently going through breast cancer also! terrible for her, and my prayers are so with her however it was a blessing for me because she understands completely what I'm going through (most people don't have a clue!) after an examination an hour and a half conversation it appears that I have IBS, as a result of the radiation and pain medication. No wonder I've gained 8 pounds in the last 3 weeks! I exited the office with new medication in tow and headed back to the office! Took the medicine when I returned to the officeand can I just tell you if that's the fastest working stuff I've ever had in my life! I'm feeling a little bit of relief already! So, overall it turned out to be a very productive day.
on top of that when I stepped on the scale this morning this is what I got!
yep down a little more than a pound already today! Can't beat that with a stick!
on top of that when I stepped on the scale this morning this is what I got!
yep down a little more than a pound already today! Can't beat that with a stick!Monday, March 25, 2013
Skinny Bitch Saturday - March 23rd 2013
Morning Folks
Let me just start out by saying that I HATE MONDAYS!!! And...today - has already been one for the record books.....Carefully packed my food for the day, and apparently left it on the kitchen counter....hope Jessie hasn't helped herself to it!!!
So - I was pretty busy on Saturday, and didn't have time to post - 1st episode of "Skinny Bitch Saturdays". I am, however, extremely happy to report that I am down 1.2 lbs from 169 in 5 days....Now that's something to smile about!!
Let me just start out by saying that I HATE MONDAYS!!! And...today - has already been one for the record books.....Carefully packed my food for the day, and apparently left it on the kitchen counter....hope Jessie hasn't helped herself to it!!!
So - I was pretty busy on Saturday, and didn't have time to post - 1st episode of "Skinny Bitch Saturdays". I am, however, extremely happy to report that I am down 1.2 lbs from 169 in 5 days....Now that's something to smile about!!
I actually got a little bit of extra inspiration yesterday....in a way it was negative inspiration - but inspiration none the less.....
My friend, visited me yesterday - I have not seen her in a few months, and the first thing she said to me is "omg you look great! I'm so glad to see you with a little meat on your bones". I am sure that was meant to be a compliment -but can I tell you that it just down right PISSED ME OFF? So badly that I did not even eat the yummy Fettucine Carbonara that I made from SCRATCH for my son and I for dinner....and I've had nothing but 3 celery stalks and 2 tablespoons of peanut butter today. I have to admit I am HUNGRY...but I forgot my lunch on the counter remember???
Back to work so I can get through this SUCKY day....Peace Sisters!!!
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Hi, My name is Celeste, and I am an Addict!
Eeeeaaassssyyyyy Folks...yeah...it's true...I am an addict....
a
SUGAR
ADDICT!!!!
Cupcakes, cookies, buttercream, cinnamon rolls, maple donuts, Reese's, Kit Kat...BRIDGE MIX...gooey butter cake....the list goes on and on and on and on.....=o(
During Chemo and radiation, I have to admit, that BESIDES not having to shave a single crevice of my body....the best part about it was I HAD NO DESIRE FOR SUGAR!
When I was diagnosed with Cancer on 12/6 - I was a pudgy little piglet.....weighed in at 192 ugly fat lbs!!! Check out the photos taken just a couple of months before I was diagnosed
yeah yeah - I carry my weight well - but that was 192 lbs!! During my chemo treatments - at my smallest - I got down to 156 lbs - This photo was right about that weight - and yeah - it's a wig....but it was cute!!!
Since I am not standing you cannot really see how much smaller I was (you can definitely see that the DOUBLE CHIN is gone!), but I went from busting out of misses 14's to Junior 11's being too big....hoooray for that!!!
uuugh - I digress - back to the sugar addiction - much to my shagrin, as the chemo medicine depletes from my body, my craving for sugar has returned with a vengeance!!!! It doesn't help much when I make Bacon Cinnamon Rolls, but lucky for me, the ones I made last night, I only got 1 of because my youngest ate ALL THE REST!!!!
Gah - I know - get to the point - get to the point....distractions...the point of this damn post is that in the last two months I have gained 10 lbs back!!!!! Aaaaawwwweeeee HEEEEEELLLLLL NOOOOOOO!!!!
Sooooo here we go....How in the HELL do you kick the sugar addiction?????
I'm not sure - but the research starts today....and 1 thing that I am sure of, is that it starts, for me...with kicking the diet soda habit....Did you know that drinking diet drinks actually triggers sugar cravings? Well....I'm here to tell you it does...and unfortunately for me...I'm also a diet coke addict as well!
So....the journey begins today....at 169 lbs, and 32 ounces of diet soda already today....time to kick the habit! I have, however, consumed 128 ounces of ice cold water (geesh - that's more than I normally drink in a week!) and have started Spark People - AGAIN (I'm a repeat offender)...gotta make it work this time!
My mini-me (you can snag her button off my page) and I are on a mission....she already does Wednesday Weigh Ins and is doing GREAT...down 7.2 lbs since she started...but I have decided that I will start "Skinny Bitch Saturdays". Saturday morning weigh ins will show me my progress for the full week, and let me know if I can treat myself (in a small way of course!).
Stay tuned as I research Sugar Busting and journey towards my weight goal of 145 lbs.
Ha! if I can beat BREAST CANCER....this should be "literally" a PIECE OF CAKE!!!
FIGHT LIKE A GIRL!!!
(a skinnier one!)
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
It's My Party and I'll Cry if I Want To!!!!!
Okay - so everyone deserves to have a pity party once in a while....so I'm gonna just call it like I see it....
I hear it every day...OMG - you look so cute with short hair!!! Why don't you like it????? You look 20 years younger!!!
uuuhh hmmm....Bull ****.....
I'll steal this from e-how
Read more: Why Men Love Long Hair | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/facts_5498695_men-love-long-hair.html#ixzz2O1PH3gVXyes, yes, and yes....men prefer long hair.....perhaps I have the male mentality....I dunno....all I know is that my long, beautiful, dark hair made me feel beautiful, defined my femininity, and was what I believed to be my most attractive physical trait.
anyone know any tricks to make it grow back faster??
BTW -
IT'S MY PARTY AND I'LL CRY IF I WANT TOO!!!!
Peace Sisters!!!
xoxo
I MISS MY HAIR!!!!
I hear it every day...OMG - you look so cute with short hair!!! Why don't you like it????? You look 20 years younger!!!
uuuhh hmmm....Bull ****.....
I'll steal this from e-how
Read more: Why Men Love Long Hair | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/facts_5498695_men-love-long-hair.html#ixzz2O1PH3gVXyes, yes, and yes....men prefer long hair.....perhaps I have the male mentality....I dunno....all I know is that my long, beautiful, dark hair made me feel beautiful, defined my femininity, and was what I believed to be my most attractive physical trait.
anyone know any tricks to make it grow back faster??
BTW -
IT'S MY PARTY AND I'LL CRY IF I WANT TOO!!!!
Peace Sisters!!!
Monday, March 18, 2013
We were dating???? I'm so confused!!!!!
I'm so confused!!!!!
ok - so it's no secret, that last year - before my "thing" (I dunno what to call it --so I'll call it a thing) with Groceries, as kind of a joke - I created a Plenty of Fish Dating Profile. Holy smokes....I have to admit that I have "talked" to some really nice people, but to be totally honest - since all the cancer crap, I just don't really have the dating thing in me. Not to mention the fact that I guess, well, really, I know...that I'm not completely over "him".
I've been feeling a lot better lately - so I decided that maybe I would give it a try again. Back in October I met someone that within a couple of weeks had us damn near married and riding off into the sunset, and although he was very nice, it just wasn't there. Perhaps it was because I wasn't over "him", perhaps I just wasn't ready, perhaps he moved too quickly and my darn head was spinnin like a windmill - but I choked, and crawfished right back into my little hole.
Soooo....a couple of weeks ago, I logged into POF for the first time, and 73 unread messages later, I responded to a few, not many. I had a blurb on my profile - that if anyone was interested in doing so, they could reach out to me on facebook. I kind of have this theory...aren't many people that don't have facebook these days, and if you aren't afraid to add me on facebook - then you don't have anything to hide. Right away, if I ask someone and they tell me "yeah - I have one - but don't add me - I never get on there" RED FLAG!!!!!
I call bullshit.....you are either married, have a girlfriend, or playing the field...and I have no desire for any of these traits! I would rather walk fearlessly solo than be poorly accompanied!!!
So.....with all of that said - this brings me to my latest "acquaintance"
We'll call him "Forest" .....my son was home visiting for the weekend - so I thought perhaps that would be a safe time to invite him for dinner. I know, I know...I shouldn't invite people I don't know into my home - but I always feel more secure in my own territory. I figured that since I would not be alone - I was safe. And safe I still am....that is not the issue. Dinner was nice, and "Forest" was nice, but.....yup .....there is always a BUT......1st, there was absolutely NO spark....not for me anyway. Unfortunately - I'm one of those that believes that there has to be an "instant" spark, or chemistry so to speak. NOT THERE. We had a nice dinner, got along nicely, and I thought perhaps that maybe I was just being too picky, and I should give it a little more time. Second date...I mentioned that I wanted to go to the farmers market. I have put on about 8 lbs in the last couple of months, and as hard as I worked to get it off during chemo - that is totally a NO GO for me, so I decided it was time to start eating healthy and juicing again. Forest quickly obliged, and I explained that since I wake early every morning for work, I intended fully to sleep in until 9:30 on Saturday, and asked him to be at my house around 10:30. Oh Lord here we go again......text message at 7 am Saturday morning "wakey wakey!!!!" I read the message - threw my phone on the floor....groaned loudly, and went back to sleep. 9:30 am....phone rings...."I'll be there in 5 minutes". WTH!!!! Are you kidding me???? I wasn't even out of bed yet!!!! Soooo....I got up, answered the door, had a smoke with Forest, then told him that my son would have to keep him company until I was ready to go.
20 minutes later I was ready to head out the door....we hit the market, spent maybe 2 hours there, and then he sprung on me "my Dad just lives about 6 miles from here - he said he would so much love to meet you. Although I felt it against my better judgement, I obliged. Pop was super nice, and I enjoyed visiting with him, but I could tell from the conversation that Forest already had us in a committed relationship and planning our future together. XXXXXXXXXX......as if it wasn't bad enough that he didn't follow my direction or take into account the fact that I was completely clear about sleeping in. OK, that may seem a little stupid to some of you...but it's not. REALLY - it's not...and if you are a breast cancer survivor, you understand the exhaustion and physical pain that still lingers, even 6 months after treatment has stopped.
So, we got home around 3, I made us a yummy lunch (recipe courtesy of my sister - will post that later!) and after lunch, I let him know gently that I was really tired and needed to nap. He hinted that he didn't want to leave - but I was having none of that, and by 4:30 he was on his way.
That night was a little rough for me....all I could think was how this was something that "groceries" and I should have been doing together...all of the memories flooded back, and I had a near lapse of judement...almost sent a text message...but talked myself out of it, because there is no reason to start something all over that is never going to go anywhere. At about 3 am, It dawned on me ....that either I was just not ready to date, or I had just not found the right person yet. Not that I have really been looking...but I really don't want to.
As we rolled into Monday, my conversation by text only with Forest was brief, then Tuesday, I got a little quirky, snarky message, and finally had to tell him that I was not ready to date. Response...are you ready for this?? "I figured something better had come along". I tried to explain....Response "save it for the ones who treat you like shit".
I am not an arguer or fighter - so I let it go. Deleted the messages, and THOUGHT that I blocked his number. (ok - my smartphone is smarter than I am apparently). As of today, he has messaged me again, telling me that he still loves me unconditionally blah blah blah.....
Folks - really - I never led him on. When he would make remarks like "can I keep you?" I would respond with "we will just have to wait and see what God has in store for us. I am very jaded - so please be patient with me...one day at a time"
Apparently, he doesn't understand nice speak.....and I unfortunately, don't know the first thing about BITCH speak.
I don't want to break anyone's heart - God knows that mine has been broken enough, and I don't wish that on anyone....but I think this is really out of line. He has even gone so far as to message me on another dating site that I joined two years ago and didn't even realize I still had a profile on.
I guess the real question for me is, how in the world, can someone I have spent a total of 9 hours with, be head over heels for me, and someone I have known for a lifetime, and spent a year with....throw me out like yesterday's trash????
I don't believe I will ever understand, but I do believe that for the time being....men are off limits.....my heart just can't take the good, bad or the ugly!!!!
Friday, March 15, 2013
Bacon Chocolate Fudge
Afternoon all you fine folks!!!
Here's to a big 'ol helpin of today's little
'slice of bacon'
This recipe, I am sad to say - I was NOT so thrilled with. Don't get me wrong....not a single piece of it went to the dog....but it just didn't hold a candle to the other two that I have tried so far.
Here's my take: TOO MUCH CHOCOLATE!!!
The problem is - that the chocolate totally overpowered the bacon...and I dunno about you - but if I'm eatin bacon - I wanna know it!!!
So - the question of the day is...How do you fix it????
Duh....make Maple Fudge instead!!! The maple would be much milder, so the bacon can take center stage, and who the heck doesn't LOVE maple and bacon??? This lil gal sure does!!!
Thumbs down to this recipe - plan to create my own - so be on the lookout!
Happy Friday Y'all!!!!
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
More "Makin Bacon" - Bacon Cinnamon Rolls
Doctors say that each piece of bacon you consume takes 9 minutes off of your life....hah!!! based on that math, I should have died in 1732!!!!
Seriously folks....Here's the second recipe review from "50 Shades of Bacon"
These little jewels, oh yes.....I have absolutely nothing bad to say about them, except that every time I took a bite, I kept seeing that commercial - you know the one - I can't remember - special k, or yogurt or something, and the woman's backside was HUGE cinnamon rolls!!! Of course - that was a fleeting thought...I think at that moment I didn't really give a DAMN about them going straight to my "a**" =o)
These are definitely worth the time and effort - however - if you want a quick fix - buy some Grand's Cinnamon Rolls...unroll and sprinkle with cooked, chopped bacon, re-roll and bake - then sprinkle more bacon on top once you've iced them and you are good to go!!!
These delish rolls and a yummy cup of Spicy Eggnog coffee.....perfect way to start the day!!!
Happy Bakin Ya'll!!!!
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookies
hmmmpp.....people that say "nothing tastes as good as being skinny feels" have obviously never had bacon!!!
The first recipe that I opted to try in the book - "50 Shades of Bacon" was the Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookies. As if Chocolate Chip Cookies aren't sinful enough????
The first recipe that I opted to try in the book - "50 Shades of Bacon" was the Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookies. As if Chocolate Chip Cookies aren't sinful enough????
These cookies are absolutely delightful!!!!!
Crispy bacon, bacon fat, chocolate chips, brown sugar, a few other ingredients, and one little secret....
instant vanilla pudding!!!!
I gotta tell you that these were absolutely the chewiest, gooiest, fluffiest cookies that I have ever made!
I'm not really one to eat the dough, but I would be remiss if I were to leave out the fact that every 5 minutes I had my grubby little fingers in the bowl!
I brought a few to work (sorry - only a few - I didn't REALLY wanna share) and they didn't make it past noon!
Be sure and pick up the book or download it and try these cookies - they are a guaranteed hit!!! Almost as good as my maple bacon cupcakes!!!
Oink Oink!!!!
Makin Bacon!!!
Howdy Folks!
It seems like it's been forever since I have had a free moment to blog...but guess what!!! I finally found a few!!! I'm still at the office - waiting for my son to get off work. Second day on his new job, and since he works at the mall right across the street and is getting off at 6:30, I decided to wait around so he didn't have to ride the bus home!!! NOT THAT I WOULDN'T RATHER ALREADY BE AT HOME IN MY JAMMIES THOUGH!!!
So - any of you that KNOW me...I mean REALLY KNOW me....know that I have a completely encompassing love affair with....haha.....BACON!!!! Yup...Pork Fat Rules....There is little that I would rather eat, on any given day, than PIG!!! Any way you like it....baked, fried, roasted...I like it!!!
My best girlfriend, tagged me in a post on facebook a couple of weeks ago, and turned me on to a book called "50 Shades of Bacon"....uhm...yeah - I've read 50 Shades of Gray, and I loved it....throw a little bacon in there and you DEFINITELY have my attention!!! I downloaded the book on my Kindle, and I swear, I think I slobbered all over the screen (and I'm out of windex - go figure!!!!)
Forgive me folks, I cannot share the recipes - I am sure they are copyrighted, so you will have to buy the book.... instead - I have decided to do somewhat of a "book review" ....one by one, every single recipe in the book....I'll be posting photos and giving my thoughts of the recipes...I hope that you enjoy the reviews and buy the book so that you can try them for yourself!!!!! Kudos to the author - cuz I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!
It seems like it's been forever since I have had a free moment to blog...but guess what!!! I finally found a few!!! I'm still at the office - waiting for my son to get off work. Second day on his new job, and since he works at the mall right across the street and is getting off at 6:30, I decided to wait around so he didn't have to ride the bus home!!! NOT THAT I WOULDN'T RATHER ALREADY BE AT HOME IN MY JAMMIES THOUGH!!!
So - any of you that KNOW me...I mean REALLY KNOW me....know that I have a completely encompassing love affair with....haha.....BACON!!!! Yup...Pork Fat Rules....There is little that I would rather eat, on any given day, than PIG!!! Any way you like it....baked, fried, roasted...I like it!!!
My best girlfriend, tagged me in a post on facebook a couple of weeks ago, and turned me on to a book called "50 Shades of Bacon"....uhm...yeah - I've read 50 Shades of Gray, and I loved it....throw a little bacon in there and you DEFINITELY have my attention!!! I downloaded the book on my Kindle, and I swear, I think I slobbered all over the screen (and I'm out of windex - go figure!!!!)
Forgive me folks, I cannot share the recipes - I am sure they are copyrighted, so you will have to buy the book.... instead - I have decided to do somewhat of a "book review" ....one by one, every single recipe in the book....I'll be posting photos and giving my thoughts of the recipes...I hope that you enjoy the reviews and buy the book so that you can try them for yourself!!!!! Kudos to the author - cuz I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!
Here is a link to the book on Amazon if you have a Kindle or device that has the Kindle App!!
Friday, January 18, 2013
"Letter to Juliet"
Sleep escapes me again, although I am in a place that i am soooooo comfortable. Watching a movie, and silently being embarrassed because it's making me cry :) It also made me think of all of the wonderful, beautiful people in this world who live a life of loneliness...without ever knowing true love. Even those that are in marriages or relationships that are of convenience or habit and are void of REAL love. I have been blessed by knowing true love...irrespective of the fact that the love was unrequited. The thoughts have been trampling through my head for what seems like hours now....If I could go to Verona, and post a letter on the wall for Juliet....what would it say? well.....here it is...heart and soul.
*****************************************************************
Fairest Juliet,
Many months have passed, yet my heart still weeps for my "Romeo". The agony of unrequited love is nothing short of a curse from the heavens that pulses through my veins during every waking hour. J'ai peur.
Am I destined to be a lone soul wandering infinitely, seeking he who would help me to write the next page in the tale of my life ? How weary am I, of living this life, devoid of my angel, and longing for something that I know shall never be.
I write to you dear Juliet, not asking for a solution to the love I have lost, but only for you to help inspire my belief in true love, and that I will someday experience a love that i would happily fall upon mine own sword...just as you did.
Help me to believe that someday I will love...and be loved
********************************************************************
If you could write a letter to Juliet....what would you write?
aaaaahhh.....enough of the mushy stuff! Time to catch some z's woth Joseph =)
*****************************************************************
Fairest Juliet,
Many months have passed, yet my heart still weeps for my "Romeo". The agony of unrequited love is nothing short of a curse from the heavens that pulses through my veins during every waking hour. J'ai peur.
Am I destined to be a lone soul wandering infinitely, seeking he who would help me to write the next page in the tale of my life ? How weary am I, of living this life, devoid of my angel, and longing for something that I know shall never be.
I write to you dear Juliet, not asking for a solution to the love I have lost, but only for you to help inspire my belief in true love, and that I will someday experience a love that i would happily fall upon mine own sword...just as you did.
Help me to believe that someday I will love...and be loved
********************************************************************
If you could write a letter to Juliet....what would you write?
aaaaahhh.....enough of the mushy stuff! Time to catch some z's woth Joseph =)
V-I-C-T-O-R-Y!!! Girlie Style!!!!!
Well Folks....I made it!!! Yesterday was D-Day....One year check up at MD Anderson...Mammogram, MRI, and appointments with Radiation Oncologist, Breast Cancer Oncologist, and Psychiatrist....When I tell you that I have been a nervous wreck all week, that is probably the BIGGEST understatement of the year! OK-OK - it's only January 18th, but it was STILL the biggest understatement of the year!!!! I woke up every hour and a half Wednesday night...didn't sleep worth a flip (Jessie didn't help matters either....she always knows when I am upset, and I woke each time to a German Shepard licking my nose as if it were an Ice Cream cone! eeeeeewwww!!!!)Anxiety was to the moon and back all day at work, and I had to literally take medicine to calm myself before the Mammogram....however - I need to put a little plug in here for MD Anderson Cancer Center....They are the ABSOLUTE BEST, and I would never recommend ANYONE to ANY other place for cancer treatment. I arrived at 2:20 for my check in - they took me in at 2:45, and Rhonda - my mammogram tech - was absolutely the sweetest ever....I begged her to be gentle - because the pain is still very prominent where the scars are, and where the lymp nodes were removed, and 45 minutes later - without a single tear - the process was over...AND...I had the good news before I even stepped out of the office!! Talk about a big sigh of relief!!!!
PS....Dear Breast Cancer ....
I WON!!!!!!
so - here's a little pictoral time line
Before Cancer
Sixth Week of Chemo
With a wig during chemo
December 9, 2012...little bit of hair!!
Today!!! Hair growing back like wild!!!!
Through it all, the ups and downs, the trials and tests, the pain and fear.....there is light at the end of the tunnel, and today is VICTORIOUS!!!
But thanks be to God
who gives us the Victory
through our Lord
Jesus Christ!!!
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