Goodbye 2011 - Hello 2012

Another year has come and gone. I am a lucky woman! I have an amazing son who is funny, smart and beautiful inside and out....I am very proud to say I am his Mama....I love him with my whole heart...he is my world. I have a husband who sticks with me through thick and thin...my soul mate, my best friend.....my love.....life wouldn't be complete without him. I have 2 amazing step children that I love with all my heart and am blessed to have them in my life:-) I have a family that I love dearly.... that are always by my side...and most of all I have my life. Life is a beautiful thing! I look forward to enjoying another year with all of these great people!!!! Life is good:-) 2012 is going to be a great year!!!

New Years Resolutions for 2012

Spend as much one on one time as you can with your family...it means everything:-)
Get more into photography/crafts/scrapping....things you enjoy!!
Get healthier! (you ain't gettin' no younger)
Become more financially secure
Don't sweat the small stuff....life is too precious:-) Don't be afraid to just "live a little"
More date nights with my hubby!!! We never seem to have the time...we need to MAKE THE TIME:-)
Read more!


Glad I don't have to put "quit smoking" on my resolutions this year!!!! I haven't smoked in forever!! WHOOOO HOOOO!

Cool X-Mas present!

I got this mug from a co-worker this year and think it's just the cutest thing ever:-) How thoughtful!!! I love it!

Weekly Menu 12/27/11

Monday - Went out with hubby:-)

Tuesday: Tacos

Wednesday: BBQ Chicken, fried potatoes, mac-n-cheese, green beans

Thursday: Joel has the kids to himself this night (pizza night)

Friday: Fettucini Alfredo, Bread, Salad

Sat: NEW YEARS EVE - Baked chicken, mashed potatoes, black eyed peas - brownies for dessert!

Sunday: BBQ Meatballs, rice, peas

Weekly Goals 12/26/11

Well, this is the last week of 2011....going to enjoy it and not make too many goals...we all know they will pile up again for the New Year Resolutions!!

1. Work on crafts/scrap page
2. Keep up with laundry
3. Eat at home...except on planned dinners

Weekly Goal Results 12/19/11

1. Workout and eat well this week (portion control) - NO
2. Drink lots of water NO soda - YES
3. Finish the Hunger Games (1st book) - 3 pages to go...couldn't stay awake last night!
4. Do something crafty...anything...get back into it...it makes you HAPPY! - Yes...worked on a few different projects!!
5. Try a new recipe! - Yes, tried a few Christmas recipes...
http://simplyum.blogspot.com/2011/12/white-chocolate-cherry-shortbread.html
http://simplyum.blogspot.com/2011/12/peppermint-popcorn-bark.html
6. Read Dave Ramsey to plan with Joel for after X-Mas! - Yep, we are working on it...and making changes to get on the right track financially!

Istanbul Grill - "review"

This has become me and my hubbies FAVORITE place to eat. It's absolutely delicious!!!! If you haven't ever had turkish food...don't be scared. It's nothing weird. They have great meats...rice...hummus...etc. There isn't one thing on the menu that we have tried and not enjoyed! You must try this place out.

Joels favorite: KARISIK IZGARA (MIXED GRILL).......................................$16.95

My favorite: ISKENDER KEBAB........................................................$12.00

http://www.istanbulgrilltx.com/

I give this place a 5 out of 5 stars by far!! ENJOY:-)

Crazy Stupid Love - "review"

My husband and I both loved this movie.

It's a realistic story about life....marriage....decisions....friendship...etc... Great acting...great story. I can't think of anything I didn't like about this movie. Oh, did I mention Ryan Goslin takes his shirt off and is TOTALLY HOT??? OMG:-)

Great "date night" movie!

I give this movie 5 out of 5 stars!

Change Up - "review"

My husband and I were pretty lazy this holiday season and enjoyed every second of it:-) We rented a few movies...one being...Change Up.

This is a movie about two friends that have completely different lives. One is single...no responsibilities....hooking up with the girls...no kiddos. The other is married, successful, children....and never anytime for himself. They are out drinking one night...and end up switching bodies. The next morning they wake up as the other...and are able to live each others lives.

The plot is great...could have been a VERY funny movie....but they totally trashed it out. It was VERY crude and just down right trashy. My husband and I were both very dissapointed.

I give this movie 2 out of 5 stars!

DIY Body Scrub....

Sooo...I am totally hooked on Pinterest. If you haven't checked out...you MUST! It's awesome...for everything:-)

I love all of the DIY projects that people post...or should I say "pin". Recently I have seen a lot of the DIY body scrubs. Not sure about you...but this whitey has really dry skin in the winter. It drives me crazy! My sister and I have always said it's because our Nana scrubbed us too hard in the tub...and that's why our skin is sooo dry...lol. We came out of the bath clean when Nana was bathing us I can promise you that:-)

Anywho.....I decided to try one of these scrubs. The stuff from the store can be so expensive...and I had all of the ingredients for this one in my kitchen:-)

If you don't mind playing a little slipin slide in the shower...cleaning up the mess...or the smell of coffee...then you will love this! It's worth the slipin slide and clean up. My skin feels AMAZING!!!!! I really, really love this...and will start doing it a few times a month in the winter.

I read up on the ingredients a little...and they "say" coffee is really good for your skin. Other then the fact that it's corse and is good for exfoliation...I am not sure if the other stuff is true......supposedly the caffeine helps harden the skin...and help cellulite...YEAH RIGHT. Regardless....it really is amazing....feels awesome...and it's FREE! If you have everything in your kitchen:-)

You really should try this out!

DIY Body Scrub:

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup raw oats

1 cup olive oil

3 tablespoons of coffee

Stir together into a paste.

Rub all over body....rinse off with warm water.... Pat your skin dry...and leave uncovered for a bit...so your skin soaks up the oil....then enjoy nice soft skin!!!!

Another year is almost come and gone.....

Wow...it really is true...the older you get the faster time flies by. Seems like yesterday I didn't have a care in the world...and was just a wild teenager thinking I was grown. Now, I am dealing with a teenager of my own who doesn't have a care in the world and thinks he's grown.

Every year I write New Years Resolutions.....sometime I stick to them, but mostly I don't. They are all things that I hope to accomplish one day in life....but as each years go by...so do my resolutions...there is always next year right? Not for long....life is flying by. I need to make the best of it.

Over the past few years...my resolutions were things like...get healthier (I think everyone has this on...lol), quit smoking, better relationship with my family, save money, more "me time" etc...

It's taken a while...but I have managed to actually stick with a few of them. I haven't smoked in over a year!!! My relationship with my family is wonderful:-) I make more "me time" but still not as much as I should. I have realized you just don't get as much "me time" as you want until your kids are grown and out of the house.

This year I want to focus on only a few things. Getting healthy and saving money. I have had both of these in my resolutions for years...and do ok for a while...then not so much...then I do ok again...then not soo much:-) I want being healthy and being good with our money to become part of my lifestyle...not just a resolution.

I couldn't sleep last night...all I did was think about how simple both of these things are. It drives me crazy that I have such a hard time with very simple things in life...but I manage to get through very challenging times in life as well.

I am not actually writing my resolutions yet...just talking about them. This is what I hope to accomplish this next year...along with a few other things. I hope I can look back at this blog post a year from now and say that I DID IT!

I have a good life...good family...an amazing son and husband...and I have an awesome job. I am not complaining by any means....but I want to make a few more changes to an already wonderful life! It can only get better right?

I look forward to another year of life...with family and friends:-) Whether I pull through with these few resolutions or not, I am determined to make 2012 one of the best years of my life!!!!!

Free Stuff! - Hand Lotion

I love getting free stuff! Go to think link...like their page...and they will email you a coupon to go in the store and pick out one for free! The Coconut Citris smells awesome! Sorry the pic is blurry...took it with my phone:-)

https://www.facebook.com/MinuteClinic?sk=app_133578850062126

Weekly Menu - 12/19/11

Monday: Brisket (new recipe)

Tuesday: Pork Tenderloin, potatoes, green beans

Wednesday: Brisket Tacos

Thursday: Sausage, Cabbage, beans

Friday: Not sure yet....maybe leftovers>???

Sat: Eat out with Haley and Brenden

Sunday: X-MAS SUPPER WITH JOEL - Steak, baked potatoes, salad

Weekly Goals - 12/19/11

I have been slackin' and I hope to get back on track for real this week. I know x-mas is coming up...which means bad food etc....but I can do this!!!!

1. Workout and eat well this week (portion control)
2. Drink lots of water NO soda
3. Finish the Hunger Games (1st book)
4. Do something crafty...anything...get back into it...it makes you HAPPY!
5. Try a new recipe!
6. Read Dave Ramsey to plan with Joel for after X-Mas!

That's it for the week....I am keeping things a little more simple to get me through the holidays!!!

Singer - update:-)

Now his name is Tank:-) How appropriate!! His new owners sent me a text with pictures. It made me sooooo happy!!!! He is a happy boy and they love him very much. They got my package so I am sure Singer (Tank) enjoyed his big bone!! and I hope his Mama enjoys the book. Even though I miss him terribly I know he is in a good place and that makes my heart smile! Here are the pics she sent me...what a happy boy!!

Weekly Goal Results 12/12/11

1. Focus on eating clean and working out during the week! - Getting better...but not where I want to be yet
2. More X-Mas shopping - YES, almost done...thank God...Christmas is not what it should be...:-(
3. Read every night...and get lots of sleep - Yes!
4. Drink 8 glasses of water a day...at least! - Yes!
5. Oil change in car, clean car - Not yet...will after X-mas
6. Get Tman ready for Utah trip! - Yes, I miss him already:-(
7. Night out with Tman before he leaves - Nope....wasn't able to make it happen...we will plan something when he gets back:-)
8. Make x-mas cookies and take to meet your neighbors! - Not yet...might have to wait until after X-mas....

I miss him:-)

Gosh, I can't wuit thinking about my sweet boy Singer. I miss him so much...and wish so badly that I didn't have to get rid of him. It breaks my heart:-( I know that he is probably happy as can be and doesn't miss me at all....but still!

I decided to write the owners a letter....hopefully they will get it and will keep in touch with me to let me know how he is doing:-) That would be awesome! Here is the letter...

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hello,

My name is Kenzey Patterson. I am “Singer’s” (the great dane) previous owner. I was told that the daughter of the owners of this store has him. If I am correct…please give this letter to her. If not…sorry:-(

I just want you to know that I am very happy that Singer has a good home. He is my angel…and I would have done just about anything to be able to keep him. I am so grateful that he went somewhere that seems to be a great fit!!

Here is a little background on him….just thought you might want to know.

He LOVES to sleep in bed with you
He has NEVER slept one night outside…and is an inside dog from birth.
He loves to play with tennis balls and catch them
He needs work on a leash (you probably already know this) but is very smart and trainableJ
He loves all other dogs
Loves kids (but will knock them over lol)
He can sing! It’s hilarious! Tell him “sing Singer…sing to me Singer” and he might. He know’s what to do…but doesn’t always want to.
More then anything he just likes to be loved.

I have lots of pictures of him on my facebook if you want to see him as a baby…he was SO CUTE! There are even some videos too. The other dane is Bella. She is a sweetheart and luckily we were able to keep her. She does well in an apartment…..Singer on the other hand would not….too wild for that small of a space.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Kenzey-Patterson/610838557

I would LOVE it if you would stay in touch with me to let me know how his is doingJ Of course you don’t have to…I know he is a dog…but he was like a child to me. Here is my address if you ever want to send me some picsJ That would make my day!!!

Thank you for taking him…and loving him. He really is the coolest dog ever! If anything ever happens and you need to get rid of him….please let me know. I will see what I can do to help you find a good homeJ I would like to stay in touch with his whereabouts if at all possible.

I also put a book in here for you. I am not sure if you read or not…but this is where I got his nameJ Enjoy!

If you ever have any questions or anything please feel free to call me. Again thank you for taking care of him…and giving him a good home. It means more to me then you know:-)

NO Braces!!!

A little over 2 years later and the braces are off:-) He is so handsome. I forgot what a pretty smile he had with all those peraly whites!!

Weekly Menu - 12/12/11

Monday: Turkey Taco Salad

Tuesday: Book Club Supper with the girls:-)

Wednesday: Chicken with pasta, Brussels sprouts

Thursday: (turkey)Sausage, cabbage, beans

Friday: Night out with Tman!

Sat: Date night with hubby (going out to supper and to the drive-in)

Sun: Grilled chicken, Asian Slaw

Weekly Goals 12/12/11

1. Focus on eating clean and working out during the week!
2. More X-Mas shopping
3. Read every night...and get lots of sleep
4. Drink 8 glasses of water a day...at least!
5. Oil change in car, clean car
6. Get Tman ready for Utah trip!
7. Night out with Tman before he leaves
8. Make x-mas cookies and take to meet your neighbors!

Weekly Goal Results 12/5/11

Work out 3 times - Nope....but I did workout once:-)
Drink 8 glasses of water daily YES
Stay within calorie goals every day...except Sunday (free day) - YES!
Xmas - Not finished shopping...but getting there:-) Thanks GOD!!!
Organize filing cabinet - Yes!
Send out x-mas cards if they come this week - They came in today...will send them out this week:-)
Read more - Yes, almost done with the Hunger Games...and started a new book "Book of the Dead"

I love this boy all my heart can love!!!

Thomas cracks me up. If you ever sit a camera in front of him...this is what he does. I probably have 100 random photos like this that I never even knew Thomas took lol. He is so full of himself:-) He looks mad in the picture...but he isn't...that's "a look" or something:-)

What an amazing person he is! So loving, creative, smart, funny!!!!!

Eating Clean

Today was my first day at cutting out ALL processed foods. Sound easy? Well...ugh...it's NOT....but people are telling me it will get easier. This was my supper tonight...and I must say...it was YUMMY!!! Maybe this won't be THAT bad:-)

Chicken Salad with avacado
Dressing: a sprinkle of red wine vinegar and olive oil, salt and pepper

Downsizing

In the process of downsizing from a 2600 square foot house to a 951 square foot apartment, I am learning very quickly that I have to learn to organize and make the best of smaller spaces. It hasn't been easy. As time goes by I am finding little ways to make things work:-)

Our master bath cabinets are FULL...and that's after I threw away a BUNCH of stuff. The only linen closet is out in the hallway...and I know me...I will forget to grab a towel before I get in the shower...so I came up with this. It's nothing special...but it works great! I keep two clean towels in this basket at all times...so as soon as we step out of the shower...they are there! NICE!

12 WEEK WORKOUT PROGRAM!!!

Today Joel and I started a new 12 week workout program. It focuses on nutrition as well as exercise. I am super excited to see how it works if we work it like we are supposed to. This has been something I have wanted to do for a long time and haven't found the strength and determination I need to complete it. I am ready now. The stress is gone...and my life has calmed down a bit.

Here are our before pictures. OMG...I can't believe I am really putting this on here...but oh well. That's what I look like...so there really isn't anything to hide. You just wait until you see the after picture!!!! I can't wait!!! I am pumped! The after pic will have a shirt that shows my stomach...you just wait!!!

Gosh, my boobs look huge in this picture...I guess I will miss them a little:-(

Me like! Wondra

I love reading on other blogs about things that they have tried and like or dislike....so I will start doing the same:-)

My Mom told me about this stuff....and every batch of gravy I have made since has been perfect! I always had a hard time getting the gravy just the way I wanted it...fear no more!!!!!!

This stuff ROCKS! Just sprinkle it in and whisk...keep adding until your gravy is the thickness you like...NO lumps! Whoo hoooo!

Weekly Menu - 12/5/11

Monday: BBQ meatballs, rice, salad

Tuesday: BBQ Chicken, potatoes, broccoli

Wednesday: Pasta with chicken/tomato sauce, bread, salad

Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: Quick supper...will be out and about doing stuff!

Sat: Eat out with kids...rent movies

Sun: Not sure yet....

Weekly Goal - 12/5/11

Try to do better this week...and to stay more motivated. The apartment is feeling more like home and we have managed to get lots done....so I should have more time this week to work out!

Work out 3 times
Drink 8 glasses of water daily
Stay within calorie goals every day...except Sunday (free day)
Xmas
Organize filing cabinet
Send out x-mas cards if they come this week
Read more

Weekly Goal Results - 11/28/11

Work out at least 3 times - No:-(
Drink 8 glasses of water a day - Yes!
Get at least 8 hours of sleep a night - Yes!
Finish cleaning out the house - Yes!
Read every night before bed:-) - No:-(
Do your nails - Yes!
No eating out during the week- No:-(

Will do better next week!