So pretty!

We've had some unseasonably warm days this week. I am not complaining at all!

I was on my way to school yesterday and came across some daffodils in bloom. They were so pretty and boy I needed the hint that spring is coming, but it's too early! We have new growth on the roses, and all of our flowering trees have set their buds. I know that they know when it's time, but I worry. I want to enjoy spring, drawn out and pretty for weeks.

Changes

Sometimes you just have to take a step back and see where you need to go. I'm making personal changes, some things I should have taken care of long ago.

As 50 comes speeding toward me I've become more happy with who I am, how I do things and the people I spend time with. I've allowed some toxic people and things to hold sway over me and I've cut the cord on a lot of them. I am getting healthier for me, that is both in body and mind.

I've let some "friendships" drop, when I realized I was doing all the work. I know whom I can call at 2 am and they will be here for me, no questions asked. We may not talk every day or even once a week, but I know you are there. Thank you.

I've dropped a few blogs that I had been in the habit of reading. I just didn't like what they had become, or that which was written was no longer relevant. I feel lighter for it.

I'm making dietary changes. It's hard! I don't beat myself up when I make a choice that I know could be better. I'm still gonna live life.

2011 is an awesome year for me. I turn 50, Nestor and I celebrate our 30th anniversary, Colleen will be having a baby girl, Wendy turns 40, Mom turns 70, Topher graduates high school and Justin and Paula will be celebrating one year of married bliss.  All of this is the result of changes, big and small. I can't hardly wait for what happens next!

Good Morning!

I was too tired to write last night. Woke up yesterday with ENERGY! Yippeee! It didn't last long, though.

I needed to go out to Gainesville for printer ink and some groceries so I put together my list and coupons.

Left the house about 9:30 and headed for Target. I learned something new while I was there, too. A few weeks ago I received a $2.00 off coupon from Target for Spots cat food. $2.00 off is a big deal! They usually have the best price, so I figured I would stop there in my ring around Gainesville. I had a couple of other cat food coupons as well, and figured I would stock up if they had the flavor Spot likes. There was only 1 bag, so I went ahead and got it. Since it was the day after Valentine's Day I checked around for clearance items I can use year round. Their stuff was only 30% off and I found nothing I wanted to spend any cash on, so I went to check out with my  bag of cat food. I handed the checker my coupon, not realizing I had given her 2 until she was scanning them. The machine took both of them! I asked her about it, and she told me that with a Target coupon you can combine 1 other manufacturers coupon as well. I got $4.00 off 1 bag of cat food! $2.00 for a $6.00 bag of cat food made my day!

Off to Officemax for ink. Why does that stuff have to be so expensive???!!! No sale items, but lots of pretty stuff to organize with. Thankfully I have a husband that takes care of all of that. I just hand him the stuff and he files it. I'm lucky. I organize by pile. LOL

Next stop was Publix. There was some sales to be had, but I wasn't there for stock up, just sale items. Between coupons and specials I got $76 worth of food for $37. Not bad, not bad at all! I think I stayed so close to my budget because of the cold/flu bug we are getting over. I actually went to Publix and didn't get a sub. Anyone that knows me well knows I must be feeling pretty bad for that to happen!

The energy I started with is almost gone. I'm parking further out in the parking lots, though not as far as Justin does. I swear that boy just likes the hike to look at all the pretty cars!

Next stop is Kroger. This store has doubled in size in the last few years. I had my list, my coupons and almost zero energy and about that much tolerance. They have switched the store around so much I can never find anything the first pass through. I finished my list, added a few things that were on such good sale that I couldn't leave them behind, and went to check out. Can someone please tell me why they have just 2 cashiers on at 1 in the afternoon? Of course one is 10 items or less and has no one in line. Grrr. I like to play the "see how much I have saved game" at Kroger. Ring everything up, hand over the key ring card, then hand over the coupons.Initial ring up was $129.85 and I payed...$76.34!!! Double coupons, and coupons I had forgotten that I had loaded onto the card made it super good!

One last stop when I got into town, Wal-mart. I don't like to do a lot of grocery type shopping there, but some things are worth making the stop. I picked up what I needed, spent another $25, and headed home. I had to unload the car, put the cold stuff away and go to class. I think I did great budget wise, $230.00 worth of groceries for $185. I've done better, but I'm pretty proud of myself!

I didn't exercise in the traditional sense, but I walked 2 laps around the interior of each store, before filling my cart. I figured it balanced out. I didn't get any candy or junk food to eat in the car on the way home, either. I did get some "house" treats, though. Sometimes ya just gotta have a stash of m&m's!

Class was class. Many people were out last week with the same crud, so most of us were surprised that we were having a mid-term test! Thankfully the teacher took pity on us and made it open book!

Came home, put on the sweats and fell asleep while reading. It was a good tired!

Sharon

Again!

What a beautiful day! Much needed warm, sunny, maybe spring will arrive eventually day! It was close to 70 degrees and I was able to open the back door for some fresh air. We've been battling the crud for over a week here and are finally on the mend. I would like to thank the nice person that shared it with us for being so giving. NOT!

I got a burst of energy this morning, after a week of no house cleaning. I swept up piles of dead lady bugs, dusted and vacumed. Opened all the blinds and curtains and cleaned the bathroom. I ran all the blankets through the wash and ran the diswasher. Then I ran out of steam. I took my self out to the treehouse and had a nap in the sun. Solar batteries were recharged!

I took 2 trips down and up the basement steps, 3 trips up and down the steps to the loft and 3 laps around the driveway and up the hill. Yes, I got winded, but I lived. Gonna do that each day for a few and then add another rep of each. Tomorrow I add the Dancing with the Stars cardio workout, just the warm up kicks my rear! Free exercise! I had a large bowl of air popped popcorn for lunch, a skinny cow ice cream for a snack and supper was 2 lightly sauteed chicken tenders and green beans and potatoes cooked together. I am not going to make this blog into a diet and exercise tome, but I wanted to share how I am starting this weight loss thing.

Tomorrow I go back to class. I missed all of my classes last week due to the crud. I'm ahead on homework, but will have to take a couple of tests. I am pretty sure I will be all right, except for ratios and fractions. Going to study a bit more for that.

I'm off to bed, Spot and Nestor will just have to move over! Hope you had a great Valentine's Day!

I know, I know.

Hello again. Yes, I've gone missing once again. I'm back for now, I think.

I've had an awful lot of time to think lately. I've been laid off for months now, and the job market is slim pickings. I think I'm going back to the BP, at leat that's where we left it. Things have changed there, and what was once wanted has changed back to what is easy. I certainly like being a paid employee rather than a business owner right now. Yes, we still have our painting business, but home improvement is way down the list for most people and we need the somewhat steady income.

I've started school, again. I think it's what I want, but I still haven't settled on wht to do with it. Right now my major is Commercial Photography, it's kinda where I wound up when the computer classes weren't what I was expecting, nor were they well taught. My classmates and I spent a lot of time teaching each other, and that's not what I was paying tuition for.

I've started something I have started and stopped many times over my adult life. I need to stay focused and not beat myself up. I am tired of feeling the way I do, which is lethargic and fat. So, I've started some walking and hauling myself up the loft stairs at least 3 times a day. My caloric intake has decreased as well. I've got a few goals, but simply having more energy and stamina are first up.

Who knows where this blog will go now. Right now this blog writer has a date with the treehouse and a couple of seed catalogs. After a week of the crud, I need to bake myself.

Sharon

Flashback Friday

This guy turns 14 today. Wherever did the time go?

I get to see Zach and his Mom and Dad next week! We've had a lot to celebrate in the last year, a Bar Mitzvah and a wedding. I'm remembering Justin was 14 when Zach was born and how this floppy newborn was thrust into his arms, the first baby he ever held. Zach, you've turned out well. You should thank your parents.

Flashback and sadness

This picture goes back 25 years. It's Justin and my ex-brother-in-law Chris. Chris is Dad to Colleen, Brittany and CJ, grand dad to Robby and Ryan. Chris has had health problems for the entire 25+ years I have known him, and today he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Of course his kids are devastated, as well as the rest of his family.

Winnie, Justin and Chris about 15 years later. Justin had flown up from Florida to spend a week with them at Ocean City, MD.
 
It's an interesting spot in which I sit. I am saddened by the news, yet feel somewhat detached. He has given me 3 of the most precious people in my life, yet I've had no contact with him in years. It's hard, especially, because we are the same age. His life is now in the hands of God. All I can do is pray for him to have as painless of a journey as possible, and that his children, sisters, brothers, parents and friends have the strength to help him on his final journey.