Juicy!

Juicy, RED strawberries from a roadside stand...This says "SUMMER" to me!!!


Join Sue for Rednesday!

Hey, y'all!

Happy days are here again:) I have been running around like a lunatic, trying to keep up with my kids' practices,games,birthdays,etc.It's weird, because it seems like the happier I am, the less I blog.I guess I'm a whiner:( lol But I'm still here, safe and sound! You are just precious Carol-Anne, for worrying about me:)

(my husband, Jamie, and MEEEEE)

(My daughter,Camilla)

(My son,Grey and my daughter, Cat)

Part of the problem is that I have a perfectionist streak, and if I hit a stumbling block, I'm more apt to just say "Forget it!', than to make do.So when the camera doesn't automatically take perfect pictures, or the printer is unhooked, I just find something else to do.Terrible, aren't I?I know.I'm going to do better, I swear:))) Love you guys!

Luxury

Luxury is defined as something inessential but conducive to pleasure and comfort. Today, in NC, it's all wet and sloshy outside...but as I sit in the warm glow of my lamp,I am comfy and cozy.

There is something about winter that I will be sad to see go...and it is these days of enforced "home-yness".You see, I live in southern North Carolina, and Mother Nature is pretty fickle when it comes to our winter weather. It is usually mild, yet, in the past 2 months we've had both snowfall and 70+ degree days.I'm not complaining;Far from it, actually.If it's pretty, I throw the windows open, air out the house and get outdoors...if it's cold and rainy, though, I just relish it.I know that my day will be spent in my house, tidying up, ironing, reading, crafting.All those things make me feel so feminine.I LOVE knowing that I am the "keeper" of THIS home.Hang on a second,I am putting on a pot of coffee...the comforting scent fills the house and somehow SMELLS warm...

So, my plans are to drink coffee, TRY to reorganize my vintage cookbooks and just tidy up around the house, maybe get a little crafty...Y'all,I STILL have Valentine's Day crafts all over my dining room table.I suppose I should make whatever I'm going to make or just go ahead and clean off the table!

And, as always, thank you to my husband for taking care of us financially, so that I can take care of us at home.I'm so happy.I hope this never ends:)

New and Improved...Now With Less Fat!!!

Ok, so I've been on this high-protein/low-carb diet for a week...and I've lost 9 pounds!Woooo-hoooo!Not enough to drop a size, but I can feel a difference.
I eat mostly meat, with some egg and low-fat cheese.I am drinking Diet Mountain Dew and water. I am never hungry.I don't "crave" foods that normally drive me insane...Reese's Cups, anyone???

Dieting is hard.Not because of the dietary restrictions, but because of all the conflicting ideas out there...We are assaulted with headlines and magazine covers screaming { Don't call it a "diet"...Cut out carbs...Eat only raw foods...Eat low-fat...NO! Low-fat has too much sugar...Just eat a balanced diet and watch your portions}...Damn all those paralyzing and conflicting rules.So much confusion...When I eat salad, thinking I'm doing good, getting my vegetables in, I feel chastisment from the front of a magazine for how much dressing I use.JUST SHUT UP...That's what I feel like saying to all the diet "experts".

No,I don't think that my DIET is the heathiest...but I do know that it keeps me motivated, not hungry...and it's healthier than carrying around 75 pounds too many.So,I am breaking all the rules, y'all! I AM calling it a diet.I AM eating meat three meals a day.I AM satisfied with how it is working... And, maybe,when I'm skinnier, I'll BE healthier and I'll work on liking raw vegetables without Hidden Valley Ranch dressing...like THAT"S gonna happen;)

The woman I want to be...

(image http://www.artfulwendy.blogspot.com/ )

I am this impulsive, fun, spontaneous woman inside...I swear...but outside...I'm plain ol' MOM material. I did what I caution other women NOT to do.I succumbed to the blahs.I have let myself go...I've gained weight,stopped wearing make-up, my nails are chipped...Gahhh, I've got to pull myself together!

(image http://www.femalenetwork.com/celebrities/ladies-and-gay-gentlemen-10-famous-gbffs )

I recently reconnected with a dear friend.God bless him, he told me he was gay when we were high school sophomores, but I knew from the time we met in grade school.We were friends from the start.I was Karen to his Jack...we had the best times, even went to our senior prom together...I gotta tell you, he tried on my dress and looked better than I did! Anyway, we were zany, fun-loving and SPONTANEOUS! Talking with him has made me remember the girl I used to be, and it's made me miss her.I wouldn't change anything about my life now, it's just that the "me" that I used to be got buried...and he's reminded me how much I loved that girl:)

My sister and I are tanning...not good for my skin, but oh-so-great for my morale, and we're going to start walking...I AM going to get this weight off.I signed up for a Calorie-Count account and it's enlightening, having to document every bite that goes into my mouth.It makes me think twice, you know?I'm drinking diet soda, God help me.But every little bit helps...It definitely helps having a motivated partner like my sister.My sister will be turning 49 on her birthday, and I'll be turning 40 in a few years.We'd like to meet those milestones with a selves that we're proud of...

My husband...oh...I LOVE that man.I do.He's never said a word to me about my body, other than to say he doesn't want me to get "too skinny"...thing is, I don't FEEL sexy, so I know I don't ACT sexy, or DRESS sexy...for him, I mean.I used to enjoy surprising him, but now...eh, you know, lights off,clothes on...He deserves my best and so do I.

Was that TMI? Sorry.I get to rambling...and I'm not as modest as I should be...I just feel like I can share these things with my readers...I feel like you aren't judging me, but more likely, nodding your head and thinking encouraging thoughts for me.Y'all are awesome:)

Anywho...wish me luck, pray for me...

I'm trying real hard to be the woman I want to be.

That statement is so freeing...