Wednesday, June 30, 2010

So...I was thinking.....

I am going to try a new diet to go with my new found love for Yoga. It's quite simple actually and it's a NO FAIL diet. Those are the best right??? So.....here is it....

"If it's bad for you... DON'T EAT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

If I can just stick to that I will be good to go! I know what's good for me and what's not....so..that's what I am going to do. Will it be hard?? Um YEAH! But....it doesn't sound too bad....I will try. I really like healthy foods too....bad foods are just easier...go figure:-)

So...starting tomorrow I will NOT EAT BAD FOOD. Now...we all know that no one is perfect...so I am not saying that I will NEVER eat bad foods again. But I am going to make a HUGE effort to ask myself before I eat something "Is this bad for you??"....if it's bad I just won't eat it and I will trade it for something that isn't very bad or that isn't bad at all! Sounds like a plan to me!!!

KP

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Things I like:-)

There are so many little things in life that make me so happy:-) So many little things that make me smile...make memories...and make me who I am. Here are a few:

I love to laugh and smile....even if it's for no reason...you should try it sometime:-) It works! I love the way it feels to wake up in the spring with all of the windows in the house open with a nice cool breeze flowing through the room. I love the sound of rain on the roof at night. I love the feeling of cuddling up with my dogs...and the way they smell. I love watching my mother do stuff...anything...she does everything perfect....and it makes me smile! I love watching my son grow...what an amazing journey! I love singing a song at the top of my lungs while driving:-) I love finding the "perfect" outfit that makes you feel beautiful! I love mint chocolate chip ice cream:-) I love to cook!!! I love the smell and textures of food:-) I love taking pictures. The memories that pictures hold are priceless! I love watching animals in their natural habitat. It's amazing to see how they live their lives...and how they survive. I love a good "girl" movie! I love it when something makes me so happy I cry! I love spending time with my family...even if we aren't doing anything...just time is good. I love fishing. I love watching fireworks on the 4th. I love Christmas morning now just as much as I did when I was a little kid. I love the smell of winter. I love smores. I love meeting people that are truly happy and are positive people that embrace life and live it to the fullest. They bring out the best in me. I love helping people who are having a hard time in life....and that don't think it will get any better...IT WILL! I love having all of the memories I have...even the bad ones...they all make me who I am today. I love God. I love the feeling of cool sand between my toes. I love the sounds in the woods. I love staring at the stars. I love my husband....and what we have built together! I love how certain songs can bring back the most vivid memories...almost like you are there all over again. I love knowing that I don't have to be perfect. I love watching children play....they are so innocent. I love the way flowers smell. Most of all I LOVE ME! I am a beautiful person. Not everyone can say that about themselves. There are people that are very lost and sad.....and I use to be one of them. Now I am truly happy and have found myself!!

Monday, June 28, 2010

Weekly Goals week of 6/28/10

1. Finish Thomas's room before Wednesday night!!!

2. NO SMOKING!!

3. Portion Control

4. Yoga at LEAST 4 times this week!

5. Lots of water!!! Take vitamins daily!

6. NO SODAS

7. Finish pictures of Britney's reception!

8. Get up early and make breakfast...it really make for a better day!

9. Walk dogs more

10. Make a "family" pizza night with the kids!

My Goal Results week of 6/21/10

1. NO Smoking! - I am on day 7!!! - Still NOT smoking!!! I don't want to mess myself up....but it seems easier this time...maybe because I have tried to quit a gazillion times already!

2. Finish Thomas's bedroom and camp project:-) - Working on it!

3. Yoga 4 times this week:-) - I only made it three times last week....shame on me!

4. Drink LOTS of water...NO sodas - No sodas here!!

5. Portion control - Yes, like I have said before yoga really helps me in this area....I eat less

6. Gather and edit reception photos - Working on them!

7. Start organizing and planning for our family vacation trip:-) - I have started planning what we will do while we are there:-) It's going to be a blast!!

8. Get bills organized - done!

9. Clip coupons - Done!

10. Walk to dogs at LEAST 4-5 times this week:-)- We didn't last week...but we are on track to do it this week.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Power Thought for the Day

I love my body

I create peacefulness in my mind, and my body reflects this peacefulness as perfect health.

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I like this one...funny that I recently quit smoking and started Yoga:-)

Monday, June 21, 2010

Weekly Goal Results for 6/14/10

1. NO SMOKING!!!! - Starting day one of the patch today:-) - YES!!! I am doing great so far:-)

2. Portion Control - Yes! Yoga makes you eat less...weird...

3. Drink LOTS of water and NO sodas! - Lots of water YES! I had one soda this week.

4. No eating out and take lunch EVERY DAY! - YES!!

5. Finish office - Yes! It looks great:-) Wish I could work from home!

6. Work on project for Thomas's room:-) - Not yet...plan on working on it this week!

7. Yoga at least 4 times this week! - YES! Loving every second of it!

8. Joel and I both need to get our oil changed in our cars - Yes we did this weekend...and Joel got his truck inspection done as well!

9. Do something to Pay It Forward....big or small doesn't matter....just do something:-) - Sad to say...but NOTHING! I need to focus on doing something for someone...anyone...little or big..doesn't matter...

10. Clip coupons and save as much money as you can at the grocery store:-) - Sure did!

Weekly menu

Monday: Aunduii(yummy pasta dish), bread

Tuesday: Burgers, chips

Wednesday: Fish, peas, mac-n-cheese

Thursday: Pizza

Friday: Spaghetti, salad, bread

Sat: Family Cookout!

Sun: Leftovers from cookout:-)

Weekly Goals 6/21/10

1. NO Smoking! - I am on day 7!!!

2. Finish Thomas's bedroom and camp project:-)

3. Yoga 4 times this week:-)

4. Drink LOTS of water...NO sodas

5. Portion control

6. Gather and edit reception photos

7. Start organizing and planning for our family vacation trip:-)

8. Get bills organized

9. Clip coupons

10. Walk to dogs at LEAST 4-5 times this week:-)

Friday, June 18, 2010

Day 5

Ok...so today is day 5 of wearing the patch...AGAIN! If you can't tell...I really do want to quit smoking...it just keeps coming back to haunt me:-( I also started Yoga this week!


So far so good. I wear the patch every day and haven't even wanted a cigarette thus far. I was a little bitchy last night though...sorry honey:-( The Yoga has been wonderful! I was really scared at first because of my back surgery. I thought you had to be really flexible to do Yoga. That's NOT the case. I am taking hot Yoga. The room is around 98 degrees with high humidity. Sounds horrible right? Actually it's wonderful! The heat allows your muscles to stretch better...and I must admit that sweating that much feels soooo good! I never thought I would say I like the heat that much...but I do when it comes to Yoga. After the first night my back was pretty sore...so I took a night off and then went back the next day. Every day my back feels better and better. It's been almost a year since my surgery and I have lost ALL of the flexibility in my lower back and the back of my legs because I didn't use them for so long. I was afraid I wouldn't get it back...but I can see the light! It's going to happen:-)


My plan is to replace my smoking habit with a new better habit...YOGA! So far so good. Those of you who pray...please pray that I will be able to NEVER smoke again!!! Not only is it a nasty habit that stinks....and will kill you....it's also really bad for my back...and if I don't quit I could seriously be crippled by the time I am 50. You would think that would make "not smoking" easy right? Yeah...not so much! I am hanging in there though! Life is good:-)

I will keep you updated on my progress:-)

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Thomas Going Away Cookout










Ok...I know I am a little behind....but I am finally getting settled into the new place and actually have a little time to get caught up on some of my blogging...etc.

We had a cookout "going away" for T-Man the day before he left for summer camp...a few weeks ago now. He had a few friends over and we invited a few of our friends as well. It was our first "real" cookout since we moved in. We had a blast!!!! Thomas and his friends did too. We grilled some dogs...swam...and mostly hung out. It doesn't get much better then that ona hot day here is Tejas!

Here are a few pictures from the cookout!

Monday, June 14, 2010

Weekly Goals - Week of 6/14/10

It's a new week and I feel GREAT!!! Lots to get done this week .... I can DO IT!!!!

1. NO SMOKING!!!! - Starting day one of the patch today:-)

2. Portion Control

3. Drink LOTS of water and NO sodas!

4. No eating out and take lunch EVERY DAY!

5. Finish office

6. Work on project for Thomas's room:-)

7. Yoga at least 4 times this week!

8. Joel and I both need to get our oil changed in our cars

9. Do something to Pay It Forward....big or small doesn't matter....just do something:-)

10. Clip coupons and save as much money as you can at the grocery store:-)

Weekly Goal Results 6-7-10

Considering I have so much going on with the new house I was actually able to meet most of my goals last week:-)

1. NO SMOKING! - Smoked last week:-(
2. Exercise at least 4 times this week - Not quite 4 times...but I am getting there:-)
3. Portion Control - YES!!!
4. Drink LOTS of water (NO sodas or drinks with sugar) - I had one soda last week....that's not bad!
5. Get office organized - Almost! I plan to finish it this week:-)
6. Work on Thomas's room - Haven't started on it yet...maybe this week?
7. Quit PICKING YOUR FINGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - Getting better....such a horrible habit!
8. Make plans to have dinner with Mama and Britney:-) - Made plans....but had to reschedule...we will get together soon:-)
9. Make lunches every night this week for me and Joel to take to work:-) - Yes!
10. Mail Thank You cards:-) - Yes!!!

Thursday, June 10, 2010

The Furminator!!!


Let me just tell you...if you own a dog and don't have one of these you are CRAZY! This is the best thing since sliced bread:-) Seriously...I have bought a few different brushes for my dogs to try and help with all of the dog hair that I sweep up ALL THE TIME...and I have never found something that really worked....until NOW!!! I am really in LOVE with this thing. It's AWESOME!

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Thomas Camp 2010 Pictures:-)







I just love seeing these pictures every day! Some days there are lots of Thomas and some days there are none....but it's the light of my day looking for him!!!

I am one proud Mama!

I received this email today from Thomas's camp. I am so proud. Thomas is growing into such a wonderful young man:-) He got ALL of his good qualities from me of course:-0

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Dear Mr. and Mrs. Patterson,

The session has started and so has Thomas's summer as a Black Eagle Sub-Chief. Last night he was officially inducted onto the Permanent Sub-Chief Council in a late night, hill top ceremony.

The Sub-Chiefs are the top level in the Black Eagle program. They serve as the leaders among their fellow Black Eagles. The main goal for this rank is to teach and show ways that the older boys can be leaders at camp, at home and at school. This is their summer to practice the principles of leadership.

The permanent Sub-Chief Council consists of those boys coming into the summer as sub-chiefs in cabin Hilton. They go through a special training ceremony the first Monday night that makes them members of the Permanent Sub Chief Council. This puts them in an immediate position of leadership in the organization. They are charged with leading the organization well, upholding the traditions of the Black Eagles and to best exemplify the characteristics that embody the Black Eagles. They have many chances to work with the younger Black Eagles and main campers.

It's a great honor and sets the foundation for an superior final year in main camp. Congratulations!

Life is Good. Camp is better. Leadership is where it's at.

Blake

Mama's Pizza (review)


So....I had heard from quite a few people that Mama's Pizza was the place to get good Pizza in Mansfield. We took all of the kids there for dinner on Sat night as a little "going away" dinner for Thomas since he was leaving for camp the next morning. Let me start by saying I LOVE pizza and know what good pizza is:-) Good ingredients is the key to good pizza...especially really good (not cheap) cheese.


We ordered salads for everyone and a x-large pizza called the "Mama's" pizza...this thing was GINORMOUS!! We had half meat lovers (for Joel, Brenden and Thomas) and the other half was pepperoni (for me and Haley).


First off the salads were so bad I couldn't even eat them...I mean seriously....how do you mess up a salad?? Well let me tell you:-) If the lettuce is all brown and wilted....that MIGHT mean it's time for some fresh lettuce. I can't believe they even served the salads like that...YUCK! Also, there was nothing but lettuce and one cherry tomato on the salad...geez:-(


Then the pizza arrived and it was HUGE...and smelled REALLY good!!!! Joel and I took the first bite and both agreed that it was NOT the best pizza around...at all. It wasn't horrible...but I have had MUCH better. The pizza sauce was very bland...the toppings (cheap) and the cheese was bland as well. The kids liked it ok....but they are kids...pizza is pizza to them. Heck, they love those .99 Totinos Pizza's LOL!


We had dinner a while back at Bertinelli's (spelling?) and the Italian food wasn't good but their pizza was LOTS better then Mama's. We will start going there for pizza now...and it's right up the street from our house. They use really good ingredients...which in my opeinio makes or breaks the pizza!


So, there you have it! If you live in Mansfield and haven't tried the pizza at Bertinelli's....give it a try....I think it's WAY better then Mama's.


Mama's = Bland Pizza with NO flavor:-(

Monday, June 7, 2010

Starting to feel like home:-)





Well, we have a few rooms all done other then art work on the walls:-) We spend most of our time in the kitchen and the living room so we worked on those rooms first. Here are a few pics of our kitchen and living room:-) They will be finished once we get stuff up on the walls!!

Moving in pool party!






Thanks to everyone who helped us move everything into our house:-) We really appreciate it! Here are a few pictures from the day we moved in our new house May 29th 2010!!

Weekly Meal Plan

Monday: Grilled Chicken, Grilled Veggies and rice

Tuesday: Grilled Pizza's and a Caesar Salad

Wednesday: Pork Chops, Potatoes, Green Beans

Thursday: Alfredo, Bread

Friday: Burgers, Chips

Sat: Leftovers

Sunday: Not sure yet....will go the grocery store this day and see what's on sale:-)

Weekly Goals 6-7-10

I am going to attempt getting back into my routine...I am not sure I am 100% ready...but need to start right??

1. NO SMOKING!

2. Exercise at least 4 times this week

3. Portion Control

4. Drink LOTS of water (NO sodas or drinks with sugar)

5. Get office organized

6. Work on Thomas's room

7. Quit PICKING YOUR FINGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

8. Make plans to have dinner with Mama and Britney:-)

9. Make lunches every night this week for me and Joel to take to work:-)

10. Mail Thank You cards:-)

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Great Article about Parenting:-)

My friend at work sent this to me...Honestly I don't usually read this stuff...but am glad I read this one. If you have children...you should take a look at this. Parenting is NOT easy and there is nothing wrong with getting some advice here and there.

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Dear Reader,
My friends John and Marcy seem to have it all ... Great health, a beautiful family, a lovely home, plenty of money.
The problem? Their teenage kids are driving them completely nuts.
My wife Karen and I recently spent a weekend with them at their home in upstate New York.
"It's so exasperating," complained Marcy. "They don't study. They stay out until all hours. We never know where they are or whom they're with. Of course, it's uncool for them to answer a phone call from their parents when they're out, but they won't even text us back. It's infuriating."
"Who is supplying them with the cell phones, the cars and the money?" I asked.
"Well, who do you think?" she said, irritated just thinking about it.
I let it go at that. This conversation wasn't improving the evening and, besides, it was none of my business. But I couldn't help thinking how different things were growing up at my house.
I was one of four boys, fairly close in age. Like all boys, we acted up. Regularly. But if things started getting out of hand, my Dad would threaten to "lower the boom."
(I'm not sure any of us really knew what that meant, exactly. But from the look in his eye and the tone of his voice, it was clear that any "boom lowering" would not accrue to our advantage.)
That was when we were young, of course. But by the time you reach your teenage years, your relationship with your parents is pretty well established. And the way my brothers and I were raised, it would have been unthinkable to treat our Mom or Dad like a doormat.
Yet I have several friends who tell me they are experiencing pretty much the same thing as John and Marcy. They complain about their kids' poor grades and bad manners, their lack of respect and motivation, their general feeling of entitlement.
What I don't hear many of them saying is what role they as parents are playing in this state of affairs. Some of them might benefit from thinking a little less about fixing their kids and a little more about fixing the way they parent.
This is a touchy subject, I know. Everyone who has had a parent or a child - every living soul, in other words - is an expert on the subject. But could any job be more important?
As parents, it's our responsibility to educate our kids about the consequences of their behavior. This requires frequent communication (and sometimes punishment). Yet, according to a recent study, the average parent spends three and a half minutes per week in meaningful conversation with his or her children. No wonder so many kids are a mess.
What should parents communicate? For starters, guidance, understanding, and opinions about what is right and wrong. They need to stress the importance of education and hard work.
Most of all, parents need to communicate that their love is unconditional, but their approval is not. Kids need to understand that eventually we all sit down to a banquet of consequences.
And it's a tough world out there...
In 1940, for example, public school teachers claimed that the top seven disciplinary problems were talking out of turn, chewing gum, making noise, running in the halls, cutting in line, dress code infractions and littering. Today it is drug abuse, alcohol abuse, pregnancy, suicide, rape, robbery and assault.
We can speculate on the reasons for this - violent and sexually-charged television shows, movies and video games, millions of homes without fathers, or other factors - but there is no denying the general coarsening of the culture.
Columnist George Will recently remarked that, "Sixty years ago, parents' primary job was getting their kids to adopt the values of the culture. Today their primary job is getting them not to adopt the values of the culture."
Things really are tougher for parents now. But that only means good parenting is more important than ever. Yes, the schools will teach them reading, science, history and math (or should). But it is up to us to teach our kids about important things like work, health, money, relationships, and integrity.
Part of this, of course, is setting an example. Your kids may not hear much of what you say. But they are watching what you do like a hawk.
And while there are different approaches to parenthood, in my view there are certain core values all kids should be taught:
*Respect your elders.
*Two ears, one mouth: Listen twice as much as you talk.
*When you give your word, keep it. Always.
*Look people in the eye when you talk to them.
*Stand up for yourself.
*Be kind to animals.
*Smile, it don't cost nothing. (Bad grammar, good lesson)
*If you don't have the time to do it right, how will you find the time to do it over?
*Spend less than what you earn. Save and invest the difference.
*Always say "please" and "thank you," "yes, sir" and "no, ma'am."
*Understand that the workplace is a hierarchy, not a democracy.
*If you borrow something, return it in better condition than you got it.
*Learn to think for yourself.
*If you don't know something, look it up.
*Cigarettes don't make you look cool. They make you look stupid.
*Drugs deliver short-term highs and lifelong lows.
*Sex is great but unwanted pregnancies and STDs are not.
*When you need help, ask for it. When others need help, give it.
*Doing the right thing always has its reward.
*If you mess up, apologize.
*Anything worth having is worth working for.
*Do what you love for a living and the money will follow. (Not enough to make you rich necessarily, but enough to live an authentic life.)
*You don't need someone to complete you. Complete yourself.
*Successful people make a habit of doing the things unsuccessful people don't want to do.
*Hold the door for people - men and women alike.
*Accept responsibility for yourself.
*If you face a difficult decision, ask, "How will this make me feel about myself?"
*And never forget: Non illigitamus carbonundrum. (That's Latin for "Don't let the bastards get you down.")
This is just a partial list, of course. Eighteen years is about how long it takes to learn what we need to know to become responsible adults. After all, most of us don't start making good decisions until after we've screwed up making so many bad ones.
In the end, parents only have so much ability to guide their children's behavior. Scientists still don't know how much we're shaped by nature versus our environment - and probably never will.
But preparing our kids for adulthood is an awesome responsibility, the most important job on earth. So it behooves us - and society as a whole - to do everything in our power to do it well.
Family is the cornerstone of society, the ultimate economic and spiritual unit of every civilization. Twenty-five hundred years ago, Confucius said, "The father who does not teach his son his duties is equally guilty with the son who neglects them." (This is just as true of mothers, especially today when so many kids are growing up without fathers around.)
Parenthood is and will always be a sacred task. When our kids are grown, they will have to deal with the consequences of their choices. No parent wants to live with regrets about what he or she "should have done."
For most of us, our families are what we care about most. I know that if I felt I had failed as a father, no success in any other area could make up for it.
Yet each family is unique and no one will ever know the full reality of your situation.
Still, imperfect as we are, there is great satisfaction imprinting the best of us on our kids and doing whatever we can to give them a leg up in our competitive world, knowing that, however we fell short in one area or another, we did the best we could.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Power Thought of the Day

I am safe in the Universe, and All life loves and supports me.

I breathe in the fullness and richness of life. I observe with joy as life abundantly supports me and supplies me with more good than I can imagine.

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Good one!!!

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Weekly meal Plan

I am back in the groove!!

Tuesday - Meatball Subs, Salad

Wednesday - Tacos

Thursday - Grilled Chicken, Veggies, Salad

Friday - Alfredo Fettucini, Salad, Garlic Bread

Sat - Homemade Pizzas! (NEW RECIPE)

Sunday - Pork Chops, Potatoes, Green Beans