Thankful Thursday

I am thankful... that I made it thru the whole week... well almost... without causing myself or anyone else an injury.  Ha!  It has been a whole week of no good horrible terrible very bad days because of monogirl.  Or maybe monogirl has just merged herself into Deanna and its just me at this point?  That's a scary thought.  Because monogirl has not felt good all week.  She has been tired.  Mono tired.  Which doesn't mean, gee I need a nap. Nope.  Mono tired means like someone drugged you and then weighted down your arms and put this achy weighed down feeling in your upper back and then said OK... now go have a normal productive day.  This sometimes makes monogirl a wee bit crabby... and OK... maybe this week I have been right on the fence of either bursting into tears and bawling for you OR totally biting your head off.  It's been a toss up.  Aren't you glad you didn't come visit me this week?  Perhaps I stayed home a couple days for the public's protection?  Could be.  I wouldn't blame the public for wanting nothing to do with me.  You ever have that mood where you are just mad and crabby... so much so that you don't even care who knows you are mad and crabby nor do you care that you aren't trying very hard to be a kind human being.  Please tell me I am not the only monogirl to feel that way... cause it can be pretty close to a very bad pms kind of day kind of mood so I can't be alone in this.  Maybe I'm just really good at it... being crabby that is.  I am sure my Mother is just so proud. 

So why the happy monogirl picture? Well let's see.  I made it to work.  I was actually getting something accomplished and I thought I was having a pretty good hair day.  Do the men know how such a small thing (well small when its good... HUGE when its bad... am I right?) like a good hair day can just improve a girl's outlook?  Not bad for a good hair day right?  Especially when one is trying to grow out their hair and had done little more than wash and blow dry... oh and add the magic secret invisible serum..... I love that stuff.  I know it's expensive... but if it was making me happy this week it was worth $38.  Besides... you only need a teeny tiny little bit so I am hoping it will last forever.  Yet another thing to be thankful for. 

I am also thankful for my kittens.  Well OK I guess they are officially cats now, but I still think of them as the kittens.  They love being outside and will try to kitty tackle you to get there if need be.  This is Miss Sydney.  She likes attention very much, but on her terms.  She comes running at you like pet me now... and then at the last second runs just past you... and then comes back and flips over and stands on her head and does her best psycho kitty act before you are then allowed to pet her.  She is very soft and silky and likes to act like she is all big and bad and in charge until you come towards her carrying something she is unfamiliar with or you make a loud noise.. then she is out of there and high tailing it home.  Too funny. 

This is Sydney's sister Miss Sophie.  Don't they look like sisters? ha.  Miss Sophie is a calico which I just love.  She is definitely more social than her sister and loves attention and affection and will follow you around jumping up on things to get in your face so you won't miss an opportunity to pet her now. She is very sweet.  Believe it or not this picture is actually upside down because she also loves to throw herself down on the ground and roll around.  Apparently it is a cat thing.

I am also thankful you are here since I promised to come back for Weight Loss Wednesday and then was a no show.  You are still here right?  Can I please be excused?  I am sure I could get a note from my DR.  There wasn't a lot to report for WLW... can we abbreviate?  I'm too tired to type the whole thing again.  I pretty much kind of maintained.  The fatigue hit pretty bad about mid week last week.  I did walk onThursday and Saturday though!  Yay me.  I didn't lose or gain so for monogirl mostly being down for the count this week, I am thinking that is a very good thing.  Hang in there with me.  I am so not done with this journey. 

I've also been thankful for....

• pink sparkly fingers and toes since I have a fresh home mani/pedi today.  I did the fingers and my sweet husband helped with the toes... He is just that great.  I was going to go to the pedi place yesterday after work.  I was too tired to go to the pedi place.  Too tired for a pedi?  Who does that? 
• date night at home last Friday with pizza and movies and pretzels oh my! 
• reading.  It helps monogirl not to go nuts with all this resting....
• walking!  so glad to be out there again even if I am still struggling.
• a husband that likes to cook.
• singing at church Sunday with Darrel. We got to do a duet, which I love.
• cooking dinner and dessert for a friend.  How come when you set out to bless someone else you always end up being so blessed in return?  Love that.
• a new comforter that better fits the duvet cover so it will no longer slide all over the place!
• 3 day restful weekend coming up
• scrapping again! 
• scripture.  God has put the verse, "be still and know that I am God" in front of me no less than 3 times this week.  Perhaps he was saying um calm down... look at me... and relax! 
• its endless shrimp time! We plan to go soon.  Love endless shrimp. We look forward to it all year!
• the rain that is fore casted for our drought stricken area
• out of town family that is here to visit
• diet Pepsi... I know.  I have a diet Pepsi problem I think.
• grapes! It helps offset the diet Pepsi problem. 
• my camera, smart phone, kindle and ipod.  I use them constantly.  Everyday.  And over the course of the past what... 2 months?  I destroyed all but 1 of them... All are replaced and/or functioning now... so I am very thankful for that. 
• summer shoes
• shorts and Capri's
• that there is still time to enjoy both of the above before fall weather

Not a bad thankful list for a girl who had such a crummy week.... goes right along with this quote by Lysa TerKeurst: The Devil loves to make us focus on the little that’s wrong so we miss the big picture of all that’s right. So true.  Going to do my best to remember that, focus on what is good and right... and make this next week a better one. 

Blessings!

Ten On Tuesday

1) Yes.  It actually happened.  I scrapped.  I was sure I had forgotten how, but just like in the past as soon as I started sifting thru my stash to pick out what I wanted to use... the scrappin' lovin' girl woke up and suddenly wanted to use all the cool stuff she forgot she had.  I must thank Courtney Walsh for the inspiration and motivation.  I loved her 2 Sweethaven books so much, that when she announced a scrapping challenge - well how could I not participate in that?  So this layout was "inspired by a Sweethaven Homecoming."  Sweethaven was a place the characters in the book returned to because it was a place of peace. It sounds like a fabulous place to me.  I mean it had a beach!  What's not to love about that?  So I was inspired to scrap our recent 2nd honeymoon to the beach at Hilton Head Island.  I also thought this went well with the challenge because Darrel is my happy place.  Time with him is always peaceful and our 2nd Honeymoon was especially that.  Loved every moment. Loved this challenge!  It was fun, and I enjoyed seeing my idea to use blue pp's for water, kraft for sand, and then chalked/drew in the trees and sunset come to life!  Very fun.  Just might have to scrap again some time soon.

2) So other than the scrapping it has not been a good week.  More like a 2 day no good horrible terrible very bad day.  Monogirl was tired.  I slept 8 hours Sunday night, alarm went off for work, was tired, was feverish, called in to work and kept right on sleeping till 1 PM.  Did I wake up all energetic and ready to go after that?  No.  Still fatigued and achy and mad and crabby and discouraged and frustrated and did I mention mad?  Just sick and tired of being sick and tired.  I intended to work today but ended up getting my work from the office and coming home to work.  Have had a fever on and off again today.  Still tired.  Still achy.  Still crabby.  Does mono ever go away or should I just legally change my name to monogirl?  Maybe they'd make a movie about me like batgirl... Does she have a movie? 

3) A friend on facebook mentioned today that he thought the post office lady needed a vacation.  Why?  He said he gave her a $20 bill and she said.... credit or debit?  He said um.... cash?  Bwa ha ha ha ha.... a little comedy is a good thing when you are a mad crabby monogirl. 

4) Do you have plans for Labor Day weekend?  I plan to have quiet, rest, and fun as much as possible.  We might go to Holiday World because we still have 2 free tickets.  However it is supposed to rain due to Hurricane Issac.  If Holiday World doesn't work out we considered going to Edinburgh Factory Outlets.  Maybe.  Monogirl might not be up to it. IF I am feeling better by then we might have a slow, light day of shopping.  They have a Coach outlet there.  That could be fun don't you think? I am thinking that could make monogirl feel much better.  Maybe they will have something pink.

5) Have you heard that Scrapbooks Etc. magazine is closing down?  I had not heard this till I saw them mention on facebook that their FB page, twitter, etc. would be closing down like today maybe?  Apparently no more magazine.  I hate that.  They were my fav!  They published one of my cards once.  That was very fun! Apparently they intend to fulfill remaining subs with BHG magazine?  However they said if you call/email, you can get a refund. Now just need to determine if I had sub left or not.  This would be much easier if I could locate just one magazine with an address label.  No?

6) While resting in my chair being crabby monogirl I was perusing the Studio Calico blog.  They have such a great DT and I love their layouts!  I might have pinned one or ten... I also happened across this post with their 2012 CHA reveal.  Love the yearbook and handbook stuff.  Lots of cool project life kind of stuff.  Love the roller stamp.  Love the Polaroid frames.  Love the journal cards and washi tape.  I hear it will be coming out in Sept. Perhaps I shall become a new product stalker so I can grab some of that before it disappears!

7) Our vow renewal was what... 2-1/2 months ago now.  Is it a very bad thing that I haven't finished writing my thank you notes yet?  Are people going to show up at my door to repossess their gift soon?  I hope not cause that would make me sad.  But.. I feel bad that I haven't gotten done.  I keep intending to.  Then monogirl shows up... and all those plans go right out the window.  I know.  You are sick of hearing about monogirl aren't you?  Me too. 

8) On pinterest today someone pinned this blog post that has 25 stocking stuffer ideas for your "manly man."  Since I have one of those... a manly man... I figured I'd kick that right into my favorites so I'd have a little help at Christmas time when trying to outdo my husband and his stocking filling abilities which I am thinking is most likely... impossible. 

9) Date Night!  We spent it at home.  We had pizza and bread sticks from our favourite Bobes.  We had pretzels from Bdubbs.  YUM.  We watched 2 of the Jason Bourne movies.  Because... we saw movie #4 at the drive in the previous week and somehow, Darrel had seen 1-3, we own 1-3, and I had never seen them.  So now, I have been introduced to Jason Bourne and am only lacking seeing movie 3.  They were good!  I even downloaded a sample of the Bourne Identity book because you know, if the movie was good, well then obviously the book will be better.  Am I right?

10) I had worship leading on Sunday. I was tired, I was worried it would be stressful but I had an awesome team and it went so well.  We even pulled off a new song, 10,000 Reasons.  Have you heard that song?  Love it and the chorus is still stuck in my head! Good stuff.

Tune in tomorrow for Weight Loss Wednesday.  Thanks for visiting with me!  Blessings.

Thankful Thursday

I didn't have a picture to post today.  And you know how much I hate posting without a picture.  I have no idea why... it's just part of the "I need things to be the way I think they are supposed to be" sickness.  Apparently I have many sicknesses.  Then I say to myself... why not post another wedding picture?  Because of course no one would ever get tired of seeing our wedding pictures or hearing me talk about it.  I mean its nothing like being strapped in a chair and forced to look at people's vacation slides.  Right?  Hello? You are still there right?  Good.  Cause if you had left, you would have missed this fabulous picture our photographer (awesome photographer) took of my wedding shoes.  Unless she was perhaps focused on Darrel's wedding shoes... but I am assuming it was me.  Cause look at those shoes?  Are they not fabulous?  And if you are a high heel, platform loving' shoes kind of girl, then these absolutely rock right?  Love these shoes and am very thankful for my re-discovered love of fun girly cute shoes!  See... like 28 years ago I was a shoe loving girl.  Then I started the whole weight struggle which brings with it the feeling ugly and nothing fits right and how could cute shoes even help me non happy place.  I got used to stretchy pants and big loose shirts and things like um... crocs and other orthopedic looking shoes.  Did you know when you gain weight even your foot can change sizes?  So true.  So.. with the weight loss, I discovered shoes again.  Is it like so weird how you can forget that you used to like something or that you used to be different?  I guess that was how deep I had fallen into my ditch rut. Very happy to have climbed out of the rut.  And um even though I may now be climbing out of the rut again?  Well this time I'm doing it in much cuter shoes. 

I am thinking a second thing to be thankful for, clearly, is that we had an awesome photographer who apparently can show appreciation for said love of cute shoes by even thinking to take such a cool picture... am I right? 

I am also so thankful for all the family and friends who traveled just to be with us for a few hours as we celebrated our 25 years together.  Loved that and it meant so much to us.  Loving this picture too!  This is us.... obviously.... with Darrel's sisters.  Renita is on the left.  She is Darrel's older sister.  Deanna... yes... Deanna, his twin sister is on the right in the purple shirt.  Yes.  My husband married a girl with the same name as his twin sister.  What are the odds of that?  I am thankful for these 2 girls who traveled 4+ hours to be with us.  They brought us doilies to use for the reception.  They helped their parents to get here and be with us too and they brought our awesome nieces who got to participate in our ceremony.  All things I am very thankful for. 

 

Still so thankful for this guy.  This guy who wanted to stand up there with me and say awesome vows to me and sing to me.  This guy who still loves me and calls me Princess after 28 years together.  This guy who still sweeps me off my feet.  So blessed and thankful for this second wedding day that still comes to mind every time I see the ring on my finger.  That still makes me smile and feel like a bride... even though I am rapidly turning into a little old Deanna... monogirl seems to have a way of doing that. Or at least making me feel that way!

So thankful for some extra rest today.  It was my day at home so yes... I slept in.  I could have just stayed there and slept all day. BUT in light of the lets try more exercise and see if that helps us feel better plan I hauled my hiney out of bed and went for a 2.5 mile walk.  It was hotter today.  That made it harder.  First mile and a half were OK.  Last mile?  OK I might have had to stop and rest a time.. or three.  But I made it.  I made it back to the car and I did not collapse into a puddle or throw up once.  Be very impressed.  I did however come home and was too tired to even shower.  I did somehow manage a shower and then glued my butt to the recliner for most of the rest of the day.  I wasn't a complete slug however.  I had office work to get done still and managed to accomplish some of that for a few hours.  I am sure I will be thankful for that tomorrow when it is not still waiting for me! 

Thankful for lots of other awesome things too.... like:

• our Drive In movie date night last week.  It was such perfect weather too!
• Italian Beef combos on date night
• Date night cup cakes!
• reading!  Been going thru one book after another lately. 
• Friends who pray for me and are not sick of me after such a long time of not feeling good!
• Friends and church family who have been praying for my Dad and always ask about him.
• my husband who takes such good care of me which even includes doing laundry and cooking.
• walking again and wanting to walk again!
• singing at church, especially when I get to sing with my husband
• homemade peach crisp
• lunches at our favorite La Carreta
• weekend naps
• Saturday Pancakes
• Sophie, Sydney and Tanner
• Ugg slippers and soft fuzzy pink socks
• Autumn season approaching
• my job
• cookout left overs. 
• fresh watermelon
• sharing scriptures with my Dad
• Klondike heath bars... 7 ww pts :)
• longer hair
• a little more time to enjoy shorts and sandals

Thinking date night will be at home tomorrow.  Movies and pizza and no running around sounds pretty great to mono girl.  Enjoy your weekend.  Anyone got some scrapping planned?  I might! 

Blessings!





Weight Loss Wednesday

OK... so technically its Thursday now... but we will pretend midnight hasn't come and gone and its still Wednesday.  On the other hand, monogirl is behind on everything else in her life.. so why should Weight Loss Wednesday be any different?

The word for this week is progress.  I made progress.  I am thankful, and yes... I must remember to mention that for Thankful Thursday! ha. This past week breaks down like this:

Workouts:
Walked 2 miles, give or take a few tenths, on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Tuesday.  This is awesome progress for a girl who used to walk 4-5 days a week, but had seriously stalled.  Notice I said had stalled.  I am going to do my best not to lose my momentum again.  I wish I had walked further, but monogirl is just not able to do that yet, and since she is monogirl, she is thrilled to get in that many workouts.  Thrilled.  Let's hope I can do at least 4 days again this week.  I am also counting Sunday for activity.  We had our Faith In Action day that I mentioned and I spent 4 hours running around church taking care of details and being the photo/water girl.  Yes.  I got to drive the Pastor's golf cart.  I thought that  would be fairly easy activity.  I did not however take into consideration stopping every few minutes, jumping out of said golf cart and running back and forth getting water for everyone.  I loved doing it.  I did.  But it wore monogirl out! 

Eating:
I tracked my food with my weight watchers e-tools every day!  yay me!  Another first in a long while.  I used to track religiously.  I'd gotten very lax about it.  This week? I didn't miss a day.  It really does help.  It's easy to pop that snack in my mouth without thinking about the cost.  If I am tracking and I see that thing I am about to eat is like tons of points and is going to take me over for the day and week?   Well I don't like that so much so it makes me reconsider. 

Weight Loss:
Yes!  Down about 3 lbs.  Hoping to see that again this week.  Going to give it my best shot. 

We are getting ready to start a new Lysa TerKeurst book in Sunday School in Sept.  It's called Unglued.  I am eager to start and as materials have been coming in, I've gotten to look thru the book since I am one of the teachers/facilitators.  This quote from the book totally fits my plan for this week.  It reads: Progress. Just make progress. It's okay to have setbacks and the need for do-overs. It's okay to draw a line in the sand and start over again - and again. Just make sure you're moving the line forward. Move forward. Take baby steps, but at least take steps that keep you from being stuck. Then change will come. And it will be good.

That was good advice and totally helped me this week.  I tend to be a perfectionist.  I can feel like I totally failed because I messed up one thing.  But that isn't the truth!  One mistake does not equal failure.  Instead turn it around and ask yourself, Did I make progress?  Did I eat less this week?  Did I move more?  Did I want to do better?  Was my thinking better?  Did I try to make better choices?  etc. etc... Well I would say yes to those questions this week.  The plan?  To build on that.  Like the quote says.... Move Forward.  Even if you have to keep starting and trying... just move the line forward. 

Until tomorrow... blessings!

Ten On Tuesday

1) This past Sunday was our annual Faith In Action Sunday at church which is about not just going to church, but being the church by going out and serving our community.  We do this by doing lots of work and service projects in our town.  My husband was on a home repair team and since I was official photographer and water girl... which was much more exhausting than it sounds (for monogirl) ... I got this very cute picture of a very cute husband as he was sawing some wood for a stair repair.  Isn't he cute when he is all Mr handyman?  I thought so.

2) Speaking of monogirl it has been another rough week.  Still running low grade fevers.  Still incredibly achy and tired with very little effort.  Yet I have also really made an effort to eat better, exercise more and still try to rest.  So far... not feeling much different.  BUT it hasn't left me exhausted so I am going to keep trying and see if it helps.  At least the workouts help me feel better emotionally and I do feel pretty good while I am walking.  I love how it feels to feel my legs working and muscles working and even feeling sweaty and tired when I know its from exercise.  I know... who knew I would ever say something like that?  Um so not me. 

3) I did get in a walk today.  I was tired.  All day.. tired.  I was emotional and frustrated about that and I was upset.  Yet I wanted to walk.  I've felt much more positive and focused about it this week than I have in a long time.  I wanted to go.  I enjoyed the walk and I did more than 2 miles.  Yay me.  I may have struggled a lot this past year.  I may have back slidden a bit.  But I am not done.  I have not quit and I am proud of that. 

4) Date night this week was at the Drive In.  First stop was to head to the big city for dinner.  We needed our taste of Chicago.. so we headed to Cleavers for a couple of Italian Beef Combos.  SO good.  We stopped at Hobby Lobby for a baby gift.  We hit Gigi's cupcakes for a drive in snack. (And I made the sales girl very happy when I told her she sounded just like the people on Cupcake Wars on TV.  Apparently this was a huge compliment.  Score 1 point for monogirl)  It was a perfect drive in weather kind of night and we enjoyed seeing Bourne Legacy and Total Recall.  Both were OK movies.  I haven't really seen the first 3 Bourne movies, but still enjoyed this 4th one.  Total Recall was kind of different than the original, but we liked it OK.  Very fun date night evening with the groom.   Is there a statute of limitations on how long I can call him that?  No?  Good cause he will always be my groom.

5) On Saturday in a burst of post walking energy I decided to use up the peaches that were past ripe and near spoiling and make us a peach crisp.  Turned out quite yummy and was perfect with a little Schwan's Vanilla Ice cream. Of course after the burst of baking energy, which followed a 2.5 mile walk.... I promptly ran completely out of steam and barely moved from my chair for the rest of the evening.  It was good while it lasted... and yes, I've learned to go with it!

6) I have decided that I need a new solution for organizing my many bottles of (pink) nail polish.  OK.. there might be a few other colors in there.  Who knew there were so many shades of pink?  It occurred to me why not see if I could find some shelves like they have at the mani/pedi place?  So of course... what does one do but google it right?  I found this. Hmm... wouldn't it be great if I knew a guy who could probably whip one of those up for me?   I am thinking it would fit quite nicely next to my full length mirror behind the bedroom door. So hopefully sometime soon I can show you my custom made nail polish shelf!  All monogirls should have one.

7) I am going to have to refrain from taking advantage of the free samples Sephora offers when you place an order.  Why?  Because they keep sending me stuff I really like until I find out the full size costs 1 million dollars.  Well OK... $38.  Just seems like a lot for something called Bumble & Bumble Hairdressers Invisible Oil.  It's invisible.  How can it cost $38?  BUT you only need a tiny amount so I am thinking it would last like forever and it made my hair so shiny, smooth, silky and um non frizzy.  Now that alone is worth the $38 am I right girls?  Let's hope Darrel sees it that way.  I could let him borrow it... but I am thinking non frizzy hair has not often been high on his priority list... well maybe that one time when he had a perm in high school.... who wants to see a picture? Trust me.  He was still cute.  I think he has that gene that makes it impossible to ever have a non cute day.  Where do I sign up for that?

8) Vera has some new patterns coming out at the end of the month.  I've barely had time to see or get used to the last release.  Apparently I can no longer keep up with Vera!  You can take a peek at the new patterns here.  I think the Provencal is my fav.  Wonder if there will be new bag styles too? 

9) Supposed to sing for special music Sunday.  I cannot make up my mind on a song.  Seeing as how it is about to be Wednesday I am thinking I should make up my mind so I can practice.  Good plan right?  I am torn between this song, this song or possibly doing a duet with Darrel that we've done in the past, I Give You My Heart.  Of course that would require finding the CD which um so far... not successful.  Show of hands if you think I will get this figured out before Sunday without totally stressing out....keeping in mind we are dealing with monogirl here...

10) Finished reading the book The Violets of March today.  I liked the story, had a good bit of mystery was really into it and couldn't stop reading till I found out what happened... only to be totally disappointed with the ending.  I hate when that happens.  I'm like serious?  That's it?!  Is there another chapter I'm missing?  A book 2?  No?  Well someone should have warned me before I got all into the book.... Grrrrr.  I am now currently reading The Amish Nanny...which is a book 2 to The Amish Midwife which I read recently.  Book 1 had a good satisfying ending... so I am thinking this time around there is hope of no disappointment. 

OK... be very impressed we made it thru 10.  I almost did no blogging... the fever this evening has made me tired, sluggish and feeling kind of flu like.  I thought maybe I'd get thru 5 and we'd have a part 2... but look there.  Spending time with you must have perked me up and we made it thru 10.  Thanks for spending some time with me!  See you tomorrow for Weight Loss Wed.  Blessings!

Thankful Thursday

Yes... here you have it.  The promised spaghetti.  Well... promised to my husband anyway.  Remember I said I told him if he'd buy the 2nd pasta bowl, I'd make him spaghetti?  One of his favs.  Today I delivered on that promise so yay me.  Why yay me?  Well for Monogirl its been a full day.  I did sleep in... which seems to be a requirement for monogirls... but then I wanted, yes wanted to go walk even after I thought I might die yesterday.  I woke up not nearly as tired and wiped out as I expected to be so out for a walk I went!  I did another 2 miles.  Much less than I used to walk...slower than I used to walk....BUT after missing so much, and all this mono crud... I was so excited to be able to do 2 miles 2 days in a row.  I can't even remember the last time I went and wanted to go 2 days in a row.  It felt good too!  I did get pretty tired, but I did better than yesterday.  All progress is a good thing right?  Not only did Monogirl walk 2 miles today, she came home and did laundry and cooked dinner and did a little cleaning and now here it is all of 7:19 PM and she has not passed out in a puddle anywhere.  Huge progress. Mr Monogirl is slightly concerned that his wife may have overdone it these two days...meaning is all of this going to sneak up on her and tackle her to the ground at any moment.  Very possible.  But I feel like I have to try.  All this resting and waiting doesn't seem to be getting me very far so we are trying plan B and hoping for the best.  So far... so good.  Very thankful for walking and cooking all in the same day.  Who even remembered such a thing was possible?  So not me. 

I am also thankful that I am feeling excited about scrapbooking again.  I've mentioned the Sweethaven Books (here and here), and that there was going to be a scrapbooking challenge right?  Well the details were posted today and I am like yes... count me in!  Not only do I have an idea for my layout... I have lots of ideas.  So much so I had to make a sketch today so I could get my ideas on paper lest I forget!  There may also be some artwork involved... You will have to tune in later to find out!

 

 

BUT before Monogirl can scrapbook... there is a problem.  Her room is messy.  Well OK.  One side is messy.  The desk with the sewing machine has her buttons and jars all in a mess because the jars were used for the wedding reception and then there is another pile of wedding cards, and stuff saved from Hilton Head. Messy.  Now... the place where the scrapping actually happens, for the most part is on the other side of the room.  I am thinking normal people probably would just go over there and scrap to their little hearts content and ignore the mess on the other side till later.  I am sure you will be quite surprised to hear that apparently I am not capable of happily scrapping and ignoring the mess.  I must clean the mess... and the rest of the room first before the happy scrapping can commence... it's a sickness with apparently no cure. 

Lots to be thankful for... as always... such as:

• thankful that not only did I track my eating these past 2 days, but I wanted to track and I wanted to stay in my boundaries.
• thankful for 2 days of walking and that it felt good and that I still love it and love how it feels and love how it helps me handle stress and my emotions better
• thankful that phone case #5... or was it #6... looks quite cute on my phone (its fuchsia metallic) and it fits in the cover that has a belt clip that came with phone case #1.  This makes it much easier to have my phone with me when I walk in case of emergencies... or in case I need rescuing from approaching passing out! ha!  Case #4 did not come close to fitting in the cover.  Not a good thing. 
• thankful that 2 of my online friends told me I was having a great hair day at the fair when i posted pics on FB last night.  Am happy to be growing my hair out.. but am feeling some days like its too flat or too frizzy or too something... so it was nice to hear someone liked it!
• thankful for finding new TV shows that we enjoy to watch with my husband.  Lately we've found Chopped on the Food Network and have been enjoying watching old episodes that are all new to us!
• thankful that my Dad has had a better week than he did after the last round of chemo.  He is sick right now with a tumor at the base of his tongue.  He is undergoing chemo and possibly radiation.  This was round 2 and he got thru the after effects much better this time around.  We are thankful for that!
• thankful that tomorrow is date night!
• thankful for our day at the fair.  Monogirl and all we had such a nice day. 
• thankful for the beautiful weather on fair day!
• thankful for comfy shoes that got me all the way thru fair day with no blisters or hurting feet!
• thankful for this band aid friction stuff which is also helpful on days like fair day.  When I had one strap stating to get just a smidgen uncomfortable, this stuff took care of it! 
• thankful for longer hair... I am enjoying it and also thankful that the growing out process isn't driving me nuts.  So far.
• thankful for my ipod. Love the ipod/nike+ for walking
• thankful that even though I was pretty wiped out and not feeling well last weekend, because of that, I ended up getting to spend 3 uninterrupted quality time kind of days with the groom!
• thankful for books.  LOVE reading. 
• so thankful for my husband
• thankful that I can talk about things like cancer... mono... depression... and still find so many things to be thankful for.  God is so good.

It's been a good week... somehow... and I am thankful.  Blessings!

Ten on Weight Loss Wednesday?

1) Did you miss me?  Was there a search party?  Anyone put me on a milk carton?  No?  Good... cause I've been here, just not functioning so well.  Since last Wed/Thurs. the mono fatigue has been back with a vengeance so Monogirl?  She hasn't gotten a whole lot done... but... she did not forget you and the promised state fair saga!  The fatigue and fevers have been back so do I have energy and motivation?  Um not so much.... but... we did make it to the state fair! 

2) When we picked our fair day, we worried that it would turn out to be one of these 105 degree days we've had this summer.  We've been on really hot days before so we figured we'd manage.  Was it 105?  Nope!  It was in the 70's!  So awesome.  It was cloudy and spit rain just a smidgen but for the most part?  It was sunny and perfect.  Darrel took this photo of us just after we got there... and just after our first fair food which was those things they call a milkshake... but are totally more like a big cup of soft serve.  YUM. 

3)It appears that at the fair nothing is safe from the deep fryer.  This year?  Deep Fried Bubble Gum.  I am wondering how does one eat Deep Fried Bubble Gum?  Do you eat the deep fried part and then chew it?  Ha!  Do you swallow your gum?  Or I am guessing perhaps there is just bubble gum flavor injected into fried dough?  We didn't try it... Didn't even have a deep fried twinkie this year?  What is wrong with me?  ha!

4) We saw lots of animals of course.. Well maybe not lots.  Actually some of the animals we avoided.  I had heard via Facebook that the pigs were sick this year.  Apparently they were concerned enough about it spreading, most of the pigs were sent home, to return next week when it was time for their exhibit/judging.  I read a news article also that the illness could spread to people, so we felt it was best for Monogirl to steer clear of the pig barn... which she did.  She also probably used a bottle of hand sanitizer and tried not to touch things too much like stair railings, etc. because monogirl, being monogirl, could more easily pick up another illness and trust me, we do NOT need that!  We did see a cow....

and some baby goats that had been born just a few days before our visit!

The official goat family portrait.  There was also this goat... who was just a wee bit pregnant... you think?

Poor thing!  I felt sorry for her.  She didn't seemed all that bothered by the fact that she looked like she swallowed a tire or something.  How many little goats do we think are in there?

5) This.... well this is what your camera looks like if you happen to accidentally dip your camera lens in the um pretzel cheese.  Yes.  It would be me that did that.  We sat down to enjoy said pretzel and I took a picture and then was starting to freak out about - oh my goodness what is wrong with my camera - before my husband pointed out to me what I had done.  For some reason he didn't think it was a good thing to dip you camera lens in pretzel cheese.  At least it worked out better than when I dipped the camera into the ocean.  Right?  So I should get points for being a good girl right?  Makes total sense to me.

6) There were lots of cool exhibits.  We loved this pumpkin carving guy.  I mean how cool is this Indian with the feathers made out of pumpkin pieces?  His stuff was pretty amazing! There was also the canstruction stuff. 

This was a tractor made out of canned goods and soda bottles were used for the wheels.  There was also all the exhibits for the photos, art work, baked goods, and other things that people had entered.  There was even a scrapbooking category.  Always make me wish I had entered!

7) By the end of fair day monogirl was quite tired, but it was so worth it.  We rested when we needed to and my sweet husband took good care of me as always.  I was so tired by the end of the day I get to where I am kind of stumbling as I walk because I am not picking my feet up so good. Well right before we started walking back to the car we got one last corn dog for the road.  Besides.. the vendor was selling them for $1 to get rid of the ones he had left.  To get to the car we had to walk down the steps to a tunnel to go under the track and then back up steps to get to the car.  Well picture if you will a tired stumbling monogirl walking up steps while eating food that is on a sharp stick... As I tried to convince my legs to carry me up the steps.. and stumbled a little we decided perhaps Darrel should take the sharp stick away from me before I caused myself an injury....  Good plan don't you think?

8) So lets talk about Weight Loss Wednesday.  How did I do?  Well.. sorry to report that yet again it was not a good week.  Weight is about the same but I expected that.  Really since last Wednesday I've been sick (mono stuff, sinus infection, and that time of the month... sounds fun right?)  I was too tired to work out and was running fevers.. still am... and so except for going to the fair, I've pretty much been resting.  It's so stinking hard.  I keep trying to get out of the ditch here and get on the road again and the fatigue wrestles me to the ground and then I don't know if working out will help?  Or will it make me so tired it sets me back several days?  Confusing.  I have done pretty well eating wise this week (Mon-Wed) and even got a good walk in today. I have also felt more peaceful and focused today, like I used to before all this started and that has been very encouraging to me.   So I am going with that and going to give it my best effort. 

9) The walk I took today?  I almost backed out.  I felt the heaviness and fatigue most of the day today.  I am SO sick of it.  I've read and been told by the DR that exercise can help so today I thought I can't keep waiting this out. I need to try and go even when I am tired and see if it actually helps the fatigue.  I told myself all day I was going to walk after work, which is my normal time.  As I was leaving work, I started to waver... which has also been happening.  I started to pray that God would help me to know what he wanted me to do and what was just Satan trying to stop me and to help me do the right thing and have the energy to do it.  By the time I got home I just wanted to go so I threw on my walking clothes and headed for town.  I decided to start with the 1.5 miles I did last week and see if I had an easier time.  I walked that and did OK, so I decided to take it a little farther... by the end... I had done 2.3 miles.  I am thrilled that I did it and wanted to go and liked it.  I am not so happy with my pace and time because they are quite different then where I was... but I think that will improve as I feel better.  I probably pushed a little too far today because I did have to rest 2-3 times for a moment and I almost... almost... called my husband to come get me back to the car.  But I didn't.  I made it! How was I after the walk?  Um almost too tired to walk from the car to the house... or to take a shower.  I've been pretty exhausted this evening.. but... I also feel better emotionally and walking/working out always does that for me.  So... going to take it a day at a time and build from here. 

10) While monogirl has been resting she has been giving the Kindle a workout.  Just finished this book.  LOVED it. Could not stop reading.  It was totally not a normal genre that I'd pick, but it was so good!  It kind of had the dystopian thing going on like Insurgent and Hunger Games.  It's also kind of sci fi... and some of the futuristic stuff might have been a little unbelievable but all that didn't matter.  The story was just so good I just had to know how things turned out for Rose so I kept reading and reading.... Not that that would be abnormal for me. ha! I am so hoping there will be a book 2! 

Thanks for visiting!  I am hoping to join in a few scrapbook challenges this week!  Waiting for the details to be posted on one of them so I might be able to link you up tomorrow.  Maybe we can scrap together!  Have our own virtual blog crop.  :)  I plan to be back for Thankful Thursday so please tune in tomorrow. 

Blessings! 

Thankful Thursday

This is what occupied some of my husband's time this evening.  He made laundry detergent.  Months ago we saw a "recipe" for making your own detergent on the Internet somewhere... perhaps Pinterest?  Don't remember.  For some reason he was intrigued and wanted to give it a try, perhaps the price tag on a bottle of detergent at walmart had something to do with it?  He had to grate a bar of laundry soap (fels naptha?  or something like that.. .) and then mix these 3 ingredients and then run it all thru the blender to powder it.  I guess now we are all set to wash us some clothes!  Apparently one needs only 1-2 tablespoons per load?  Guess we will give it a try.  Hoping it lasts a long time AND that it is as cost effective as they say?  It would have to be to make the time involved in making the stuff worth it.  I am very thankful for a husband that likes to do stuff like this and.... of course helps with the laundry.  Especially when they are married to monogirl. 

I am thankful for my now functioning Kindle, all nice and set up with my books and collections like I like it and with a battery that works like its supposed to.  All very good things that enabled me to finish this book last night.  Loved it.  Every bit as good as the first.  Can't wait for book number 3 that comes out in October I believe.

I am thankful I made it through the day.  It was a not a day filled with happy places.  I was SO tired.  Had trouble functioning and just wanted to lay down some where.  At one point at work my boss discovered that I had picked the wrong key for a song that I had printed and put into the praise team books already.  9 praise team books with an 8 page song in the middle of the book that was wrong.  As soon as he said, "we do that one in b-flat... " I was holding back tears.  Gee... crying over messing up the praise team books... do we think I am perhaps a bit over tired and emotional.  I managed to get the song in the books without having to redo them and made it thru the rest of the day.  However this evening I am running a fever and am fearing I am on the verge of an actual mono relapse!  What is going on with me?  So I have been resting.... and praying this was just a bad day and more energy and no fever tomorrow!  After everything I said to you about mono yesterday though I am thinking you can understand why it makes a girl wonder. 

On that happy note... how about switching gears and listing some other things to be thankful for like...

• Mexican food.  I swear I could eat it every day.  Perhaps I just need to move in to La Carreta. 
• getting to go to the state fair tomorrow.... We are thinking positively.  Monogirl will be functioning.
• Have I mentioned husband's who do laundry?  It bears repeating don't you think?
• my pretty pink laptop
• a husband who doesn't like for me to have to carry things on state fair days... or shopping days.. I am sure you can imagine what a bummer that is.
• pizza and movie date nights at home
• beach days... especially since they are becoming more scarce
• pink things... Haven't mentioned that one in awhile
• good friends
• my parents
• sharing scripture with my Dad
• Mrs Richardson's hot fudge... and no... that is not a part of weight loss Wednesday.  :) 
• air conditioning.  can you imagine this summer in Indiana without a/c? yikes!
• fresh corn on the cob, cucumbers, tomatoes and peaches.  Good stuff
• a husband who seems to think my list making is cute.  He's got it bad doesn't he?
• my anniversary ring from our ceremony.  LOVE it and still look at it all the time and think about that day.
• getting to sing at a friends wedding
• walking... I only went one day but I went, I liked it, even though it was hard, and I still want to go.
• Sunday naps
• allergy meds.... does anyone survive in southern IN without allergy meds?  I am sure Darrel and I don't get to have all the fun by ourselves.
• my new phone.  so happy to have my phone back...... yes still. 
• cooler weather on the horizon
• the salad bar at jay c

See... lots of stuff to find my happy place about.  Always a good idea to be thankful. It usually is good for a quick attitude adjustment. 

Hope you have an awesome Friday!  I plan to have a great date day..... not to be confused with date night.  Might be back on the weekend with some pics! 

Blessings!

Weight Loss Wednesday

Generally I am not a fan of the millions of quotes you see in your facebook newsfeed.  Actually I am usually thinking.... I am not enjoying scrolling past all these word picture thingys.... This however was not true today.  This little dog has been making me smile all day.  I mean tell the truth... he already made you smile too.  Cause first... he's like smiling... and then he is like um flying.  And with that caption I can just like hear his thoughts "oh boy oh boy I'm out I'm out... where can I go.. what can I get into.. is that food I smell... running.. I love running.  My favorite thing....." And um I guess you are getting the idea.  Plus.. what a great idea to live life that way with fun, with passion, with abandon, with joy!  Guess you could say the little dog spoke to me today.  Which was a good thing.... cause having a little trouble finding my happy place.

For Weight Loss Wednesday I wondered if I should perhaps just come and post "nothing good to report" and leave it at that... cause um that would about cover it.  ha!!  But of course... would I leave you hanging like that. Of course not.. you said no too right? 

I am not off to a stellar start here folks, but as we did last week.... lets try to start with a few positives. 

#1... God keeps putting this verse in front of me. 

Psalm 63:5 New Living Translation (NLT)

⁵ You satisfy me more than the richest feast.
I will praise you with songs of joy.

Wow... I've seen it several times in various places.  I feel the message coming thru loud and clear.  When my heart wants too much food.... which is pretty often... food is never going to fill up that spot.  Only Jesus can do that.  I know he is telling me, let ME satisfy you instead of turning to the food when you are bored... tired.. upset... overwhelmed.. happy... sad... I mean lets face it... which one of those things is not generally an excuse to eat something yummy? 

#2.... this quote from Joyce Meyer
Every time you make a single good choice, you're closer to breaking a bad habit and forming a good one. - Joyce MeyerAnother good message I needed  to be reminded of.  I learned this so strongly in this journey that every time I make a choice not to eat when I don't need to eat, I get stronger.  I handle it better. AND every time does count.  Otherwise you can get sucked into that endless cycle of it's OK this once.. I'll do better next time or later or tomorrow.  Um yeah... that never happens.  I have to make the choice in the moment. 

OK... all that being said.  Did I do that this week?  Not so much.  I didn't do so good tracking.  I did do a few days.  I didn't do so good working out.  I did walk one day.  Did I lose?  No... up about a pound and a 1/2 which is a blessing because I was afraid it would be much worse because of all of the above and the fact that I haven't had my water pill meds and it's about to be that fun time of month which usually messes up 2 weeks of weigh ins. 

I talked to Darrel a lot after work today trying to figure out what is going on with me and you may be sick of hearing my mono sob story... but mono is still having a lot to do with it.  I was diagnosed with mono back in January.  It took till at least April before I stopped feeling completely exhausted all the time and the swelling in my glands went away.  Since then, I feel better BUT I am no where near back to the stamina I had before.  I can sleep for 12+ hours and keep on sleeping.  I still have to think ahead if we are going to walk around the mall on date night... then I probably am going to have to rest for the weekend so I am functioning by Monday.  When its my period time or allergies are bad or I have even like a sinus infection?  It really zaps my energy.  I seem to get back down easily.  My DR told me it takes a year for some people to get past the fatigue.  He told me sometimes it turns into chronic fatigue and we've been doing things to try and avoid that with vitamin D supplements, etc.  I just can't function like I used to yet.  I've done some research and it scares me a little.  There are other mono sufferers that say they were never the same after mono.  They always had to deal with a lot of the things I just described to you.  They talked about the same struggle I am having right now.  Which is... supposedly healthy eating and exercising is important to fighting the mono effects, however when you feel so tired you just can't function its hard to imagine going and walking 4 miles.  I never know what is the right thing to do.   Go ahead and work out and I won't get overly tired and I'll do better?  Or if I do that will I get overly tired and spend the next 2-3 days recovering.  I never know the right thing. 

When I am not working out, I have trouble with my eating because they go hand in hand.  You can tell yourself well I ate way too much so why bother exercising today... which is stupid logic I know.  Or you can say I never lose weight when I don't work out so what difference does it make what i eat?  Both of those are huge lies from the devil... but have I been battling them?  yes.  This whole mono thing has messed with my life all year and at this point I have to admit I am quite frustrated, discouraged and perhaps a little depressed about the whole deal.  Depression was another common thing mentioned from other mono sufferers.  It's hard to not be able to do what you want to do or what you used to do. 

So.... did all that sound like excuses?  I always fear that is exactly what it sounds like or that people don't understand or they are sick of hearing about it, or they see me and think well you look fine and that mono thing was months ago... you still milking that?  See... ya'll don't have to be hard on me... I do quite nicely coming up with those thoughts on my own. 

I will also admit though it isn't only that.  I have gotten lazy and complacent about doing the right thing.  I've let all this get to me.  I've had plenty of stinkin' thinkin' and I've made lots of bad choices and told myself the I'll do better tomorrow crap. 

So what is the plan from here?  Not to give up for one.  I still want this and really for my health with this mono stuff I know I will feel better.  So I need to keep with my ww points.  And I need to keep trying the workouts.  Going to get past this week because we are going to the state fair on Friday and I am not sure how much more I can handle (because that will be a ton of walking) but depending how that goes, either this weekend, or Monday I am going to try and walk a minimum of every other day 1.5-2 miles.  Once I can do that well again, I'll increase my distance and I'm going to pray and ask God to try and help me discern between what is true mono fatigue and what is normal work out fatigue, and just me making excuses so I know when to push myself and when is my body really needing rest.  I am having a lot of problem with that.  I always think the worst of myself and think I'm just being a baby and don't really need rest.  

So are you totally confused?  Are you still with me?  I hope that all made some sense.  I appreciate your support and encouragement just by being here with me.  

Blessings!  

Ten On Tuesday

1) I heart Fiestaware! For most of our married life our everyday dishes were stoneware plates that my Grandma got us from Dominicks grocery store.  You know those promotions they do where you earn different pieces based on your grocery receipts?  Well we always loved those dishes because Grandma loved doing that for us.  But a few years ago I realized that I always loved Fiestaware when I saw it and I was quite jealous that all the new brides at church seemed to be getting it on their registries.  I finally asked my 40 some year old self.... isn't it OK to get some cool new dishes just because we love them, even though there is nothing wrong with the old ones?  Well my self answered and said yes!  So we started getting the cobalt blue plates, cereal bowls, etc. a little at a time.  Then a year or so ago I decided the yellow was pretty and wouldn't that look cool with the cobalt blue... and so we got some of those plates.  Then we got a gift card to Kohls for an anniversary present and I had another chat with myself... apparently I do this quite often... I don't answer out loud... don't want to scare you too much... and I said well if I like the look of mixing the colors... why don't we use our gift card to get a few pieces in some other colors.  Well again... self agreed... and here you have it.  We are now the proud owner of 2 smaller plates, I think they are the salad plates, and two 1 quart bowls.  I thought they'd make a nice pasta bowl.  The fiestware was on sale, and I had a coupon for 15% off of that, and then a gift card.  It covered all but one pasta bowl.... I asked Darrel if I promised to make spaghetti this week if we could get the extra bowl.... apparently he likes my spaghetti.

2) Yes folks it is that time of year.... State Fair Time!  We love the State Fair and it is one of our favorite date days of the year!   We plan to go this week and have already been checking the weather hoping for the perfect day... which would hopefully be not one of these 100+ degree days we've been having. 

3) If you live in Southern IN, well then you probably know that mid to late summer is fresh peach time and um wow... have they been good.  We got our 2nd batch on Sunday and they are awesome.  They are huge, juicy, sweet... yum.  I am thinking some of them would like very nice in a pie..... I have pie crust in the freezer.  ha!  I live in my Mamaw's former home and now I sound like her.  She was forever telling us she could whip up a pie because there was crust in the freezer.  Proud to say the crust in my freezer is even her recipe.  She was well known for being an excellent pie baker. 

4) Date night this week was at home.  Monogirl was tired.  Darrel brought us home some yummy pizza and bdubbs pretzels... YUM.. and I was in charge of movies.  We watched um... Lockout and In Time.  Both were OK... neither had me like glued to the screen. 

5) Often for date night at home... I seem to get a craving for cheese popcorn.  Generally I am not a cheese person... so this is not so understandable.  If we want to psycho analyze (did I spell that right or did I just suggest I am a psycho in need of analyzing?  bwa ha ha ha ) the craving... it could be because I used to watch movies with my Grandma when I was a little girl when I would go to stay with her during spring break week.  Grandma was a night owl.... gee I wonder where I get that from hmmm?  After the news she would get her soda, and her Jay's snack of choice and we'd watch us some movies.  Do they have Jay's chips where you are?  It seemed to be more of a Chicago thing, but I do see them around here on occasion.  My great Aunt (grandma's sister) worked at Jay's... another reason we were partial.  Besides.. they have great chips (most especially the hotstuff!!) and great cheese popcorn.  It is normally my fav, but hard to find.  Grandma and I loved the hotstuff barbecue chips!  So much so... for my bridal shower, which Grandma hosted for me, she didn't get the chips from Aunt Delores, she got the actual hot stuff seasoning they put on the chips so we could sprinkle as much as we wanted on our own chips.  That was a very fun treat!  Anyway... we were talking about popcorn right?  Well in our tiny little town, no one has cheese popcorn. I got really happy when a month or so ago I found some at our new Shopko store.  So this date night I headed there to get more.  Wrong.  They didn't have the same stuff anymore.  I was sad.... until I spotted this! Orville's farmhouse cheddar popcorn.  OK.. new fav cause it was quite yummy... Now here is just hoping I can find it existing somewhere more than once!

6) I got a walk in yesterday.  It was HOT.  I was tired... what else is new.  My ipod was about dead.  I couldn't find my water bottle.  My new phone case no longer fits in the holster clippy thing I use.  It was one thing after another trying to be a roadblock to convince me not to go.  I almost gave in.  I didn't.  I went.  I started out with a shorter distance but did complete 1.5  miles.  I thought I might die by the end because I discovered I am not so use to walking in the heat right now, but I did it.  I love that when I started out I immediately thought - this feels great!  I love this.  I am glad I am back out here.  I was going to go again today, but Darrel and I were both concerned about my fatigue level today.  It gets bad quickly sometimes and so am going to ease back into the workouts and try going every other day for right now and build from where I am.  I know I need to go regularly or might as well not go at all because you have to build on what you can do.,  So happy I went.  So happy I want to keep going.  I am struggling... but I have not and will not give up. 

7) Have you checked out the Lands End last of summer swim wear sale?  I try to remember to check it out every year.  Their stuff is pricey, but great quality and lasts me several beach seasons.  I love to add a new swim mini or top a piece at a time and then I have a whole cute mix and match swim wardrobe for the beach season.  I might have picked up a new black swim mini this time around...

8) Been perusing a few new recipes via Pinterest this week like Crock Pot Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli, Instant Oatmeal Jars,  Homemade Chicken and Dumplings, Boston Market Cornbread, and Creamy Chicken and Noodles.  I ought to be able to figure out a dinner or two in there somewhere don't you think?  I'm thinking it will likely involve buying chicken... although I still have that promised spaghetti dinner to make. 

9) Are you a Coach purse fan?  I always like the look of them, but I have never indulged in a Coach purse due to the cost.  The company I worked for in Illinois used to have a managers dinner every year and the women managers usually got a gift.  One year it was a coach purse... can you say jealous?  Of course I wasn't jealous... well maybe a little.  Lately the idea has entered my mind that maybe.... just maybe I want to save my spending money and splurge just once... on a Coach.  Then the next minute I am like what am I thinking?  I don't need an expensive purse.  Then the next minute, the book I am reading, (OK was reading) the woman in the story splurges on a Coach.... No, it wasn't the Amish woman.  So then I decide just to take a peek at their web site and I spot fabulous things like this pink quilted bag.... So I don't know.... are you a Coach purse lover?  Is there some way that they are worth the cost?  Cause I am also remembering their is a Coach outlet not too far away.....

10) Is it a really sad thing that I was just in my kitchen.... you know in August... and it occurs to me I still have a snowman and a snowflake in the kitchen window?  You'd think I might have noticed that before now right?  Perhaps I would have if I had spent more than 5 minutes in the kitchen this year... I also have a hutch covered with Anniversary gifts I need to put where I want them... and wedding stuff still sitting in the floor that I haven't figured out what to do with.  Oh.. and lets not forget the front room with the desk full of wedding, honeymoon and birthday week stuff.  Maybe someday I will actually have enough energy to have a clean an organized house... just for a little while.  I'd like to enjoy it for at least a day or two. 

Hope your week is going well.  Thanks for visiting with me today.  I plan to be back tomorrow for Weight Loss Wednesday!  Blessings!

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for.....

This guy.  My Dad.  He is a pretty great Dad too.  He played with me.  He used to sing to me.  He took me to church. He taught me about Jesus and taught me Bible verses.  He prayed with me.  He told me I could get the gold class rings when everyone else was getting silver.  I liked that... He bought me a flute when I wanted to be in the band.  He likes to hear me sing.  He used to tuck me in and tell me bedtime stories and made my stuffed dog Oscar walk all over the bed.  He taught me how to drive a stick shift... even if it was a like 15 minute lesson.  He used to take me for walks and buy me ice cream.  Very thankful that God blessed me with such an awesome Dad.

I am thankful for the rain.  It has been a long drought filled summer. This evening a few inches.. yes.. of rain have fallen!  wow.  Thank you Lord for the rain and thank you that I have shelter when it rains.

Thankful for electricity.  It was a long, hot, uncomfortable night on Tuesday.  I was thinking today what a baby I am because a few towns over they have storm damage and are still without power and here I am pouting because its hot for a few hours one night?  Bad Deanna. 

Thankful for my new phone!  I missed it.  I always loved my Motorola Droid, the original one and actually wasn't so sure I wanted to give it up when we first got the Razr Maxx a few months ago.  But!  After a few months of use, and then having to go back to the old phone?  I am very blessed to have my new one back!  It is so much easier and faster for texting.  The processor is quicker which makes a lot of the web apps work soooo much better and my new phone makes it much easier to do my job because my phone is used a ton for text and email communications.  Still upset with myself for ruining the first phone, but so blessed and thankful that we were able to replace it... without paying full price for a new one... cause yikes! 

Thankful for my last weekday at the beach for this summer.  Love my Thursdays sitting in the water, enjoying the sun and reading my book... um books!  Even though there was some woman there today trying to ruin beach time for everyone... still thankful that I had a few more hours before summer is officially over. 

Thankful for books!  Finished The Amish Midwife today.  Good book and wow... what a complicated story that finally was resolved by the end of the book.  I am now starting A Sweethaven Homecoming!  It is available for Kindle and yes... I was allll over that! I am also thankful for Author Blogs like this one that lists other interesting books to check out so I can add them to my "TBR" otherwise known as "to be read" list in case I should ever be in danger of running out of something to read.... which I am guessing is not likely.

Thankful for turquoise toes and a few very nice hours with my Mom.  Cause guess what?  Not only do I have an awesome Dad?  Pretty blessed in the Mom department too. 

Thankful for my sweet husband that takes such good care of me.  He did a project for me this week... one that I can't share right now.  He handled the majority of the laundry.  He even thinks to do things like bringing Miss Sophie in to see me.  Best Husband ever.

Thankful for summer shoes... ankle bracelets... toe rings... pedicures.... shorts and Capri's.... and all that cool summer fashion kind of stuff.  Love it love it love it. 

I am thankful that my husband has not threatened to divorce me even though I felt the need to acquire no less than the 6 phone cases I mentioned.... Not only does he not get annoyed?  He actually seems to find me entertaining.... He just looks at me, smiles and shakes his head like what am I going to do with you. 

Thankful that the tree branches that came down in the rain this evening did not damage the house, garage or cars.  It bumped the house... but did not damage the house.  Thank you Lord for that!

Thankful for date night and an awesome meal at Red Lobster last Friday.  We had an anniversary gift card.  I had a $10 coupon.  We got a very nice Red Lobster meal for a grand total of $9 out of pocket.  Very nice treat right there!

Thankful that today was a day off.  I think I've gotten myself over tired this week.  We've been running like every day.  I had a sore throat for a few days.  I had the storm night of no sleep.  I had a gall bladder attack this week... probably brought on by stress??  So last night and today?  Monogirl has been worn out.  Could not get enough sleep.  7 hours last night.  Up for a hair appt. this morning.  Came home and fell asleep twice for a nap and then had trouble staying awake before dinner! 

And of course... now that I have talked about how tired I am.... I will take that as my cue to head for the bed!  I hope you've had lots to be thankful for this week and that you have an awesome weekend ahead.  Blessings!