Standinonmyown2feet

Think about it.

2009-04-28T19:33:00.002-04:00

Clothing. Not a subject thought about too much, except when I'm shopping for new clothes. I usually don't even notice what people are wearing unless it's really cute... or really ugly. Since I've lost over 50 pounds I'm enjoying being able to wear smaller cuter clothes. And now the summer clothes are coming out - the bronze, orange, greens of fall fashion being replaced by bright happy colors! Time to put away the puffy coat and look forward to warmer days.
It's amazing how your clothes can change your mood. There are people to can tell you what "season" you are and you will be happier when you wear the colors of your "season". I don't know what season I am . I know if I wear snug pants and visit a buffet restaurant for dinner I end up cranky and miserable no matter the color of the pants! Is THAT why people wear sweatpants to buffets?
Department stores charge entirely too much for clothes. I understand certain clothes are made better than others - better fabric, double stitching for example can increase the cost of the garment, but I find it hard to believe it costs even $10 to make a size 2 dress that might have a total of 1 yard of fabric, made in a country where the person who made the dress makes MAYBE $1 a week, then the dress is SOLD for $500. I guess I wouldn't feel that way if I was the designer - or factory owner. Myself, I shop at Goodwill - recycling is good for the environment, right??
We all know Bra's and fast vehicles can be dangerous. Ok if you don't know the story...it's too long and complicated of a story to go into here - but I realized something this morning on my way to work. Certain clothing items can be dangerous. Ok I'll explain -while driving (55 MPH - no ticket today!)to work this morning down a dark highway, I shifted my weight in my seat and when I did I had the sensation of a bug - a spider perhaps- crawling down my leg!! Now this is a SCARY situation. Do I SLAM on the brakes, leap out of the car, peel my pants off? Do I ignore it and just think that it's my MS brain playing a joke on me? No - I keep driving, slapping my leg as I struggle to maintain my lane, hoping that the certain sting I was about to feel would be quick. Then I realized it was not a neurological prank, nor a bug. The pantyhose I was wearing had developed a "runner" and I was experiencing the creeping of splitting nylon. Glad it's almost summer - no more pantyhose!
so enough random nonsense - I should go do laundry!

I wonder why...

2009-03-16T21:25:00.002-04:00

Just something to ponder....

What's the point of an expiration date on Cottage Cheese? Isn't it just Milk that's way past IT's expiration??

Did I ever mention that a pet peeve of mine is the term, "By and large"? Well, here's another:
"....that being said". Ok whatever this phrase follows do you HAVE to state that you stated it? Why not just use a conjunction: However, But, And ... Those make more sense to me. I never heard anything about "that being said" on SchoolHouse Rock.

That being said, By and Large, cottage cheese is very high in protein and good for you.

So excited

2009-03-07T10:35:00.004-05:00

It's Saturday and I'm so excited!

So I'd like to thank the Lord for a few things:

Spring - it's like a time of renewed hope. It's been like a deep freeze for so long - grey dreary skies, cold biting wind. But know the winds have shifted and the sun is peeking through. I'm filled with this feeling of relief and hope for great things to come!
Reconnecting with old friends. I know it seems like a silly thing to thank God for - but what a blessing FaceBook is!
My Daughter. She's been through some really rough times, but she's coming out the other side stronger and smarter and I thank God for that!
My Son. He's getting to the end of his senior year and he's made it through high school a fine young man. I thank God for that.
My husband. He's my very best friend and he continues to put up with me after almost 21 years - of course me buying him a Corvette helps - just kidding. I thank God for him.
My job. I work for an amazing company and work with a group of the hardest working, most dedicated individuals you could ever meet. I thank God for them.
My Family - My parents in Kenya, My sister and family in Mozambique, My brother and his wife in Toledo. They all love the Lord and dedicate their lives to leading others to Him. I thank God for them!
My Corvette friends! We are members of the Glass City Corvette Club and it's truly a blessing for us. We've made and continue to make great friends. It would seem that the only thing we have in common is a car (although the greatest car ever made) but it's more than that. We are people from all walks of life who go through bad times but are there to support one another - and get to enjoy fun times as well. I thank God for them!
And it seems silly and trivial - but I thank God for this little computer! It has been such a blessing to be able to communicate for effectively. I thank God for it!
This one is REALLY bizarre. Multiple Sclerosis. Yes I thank God for Multiple Sclerosis. Because He's allowed me to have MS I have developed a WILL like you wouldn't believe. I have the WILL to get up everyday and with my GOD given strength : work out, do my job to the best of my ability, contribute to society and inspire others to overcome whatever is holding them back in life instead of wallowing in self pity. YES I THANK GOD for MS!

Just needed to share this with you! I will now teach myself to add pictures to my page!! Stay tuned!

Why Worry?

2009-01-30T21:36:00.002-05:00

Worrying is something that I try very hard to avoid. Like the little freckled face red head dude who say's "Why Worry?" - Alfred something - I find myself asking the same - only I keep coming up with answers.
Like.... I worry

about a President who is going to drive our country into a situation where we are controlled by Communism. Come on... borrowing a TRILLION dollars from CHINA??? WHAT are you thinking? Get a loan from someone and think they have no power over you...think again!
about Peanut Butter. I LOVE peanut butter. But now I'm scared that if I eat peanut butter I'll have raging diarrhea brought on that couple Sam and Ella.
about never becoming a stand-up comic. My jokes are too dumb - I mean WHO makes fun of Salmonella??
about global warming. I'm sure that's why it hasn't been above freezing in WEEKs at my house. I read on the internet that he created that Al Gore's carbon footprint can be seen from space!

But what's the point of worrying? Nothing comes from worrying except insomnia. And ulcers.

That's enough of that.

******QUEST UPDATE******

54.1 lbs (if you don't understand you obviously need to read prior posts!)

Later dudes!

Christmas already?

2008-12-23T18:45:00.003-05:00

Merry Christmas to all!

There's a local radio station that is "all Christmas, all the time". Here's what I've discovered:

Christmas songs that make me laugh:

Grandma got run over by a Reindeer
Elvis' "I'll have a blue Christmas" ( the background is pitifully hilarious)
The Hat I got for Christmas is to big (Mel Brooks as Speedy Gonzales)
Dominique the Donkey (ok - it's really dumb)
I'm Dreaming of a white trash Christmas (ok i haven't heard it - but I'm sure it would make me laugh)

Christmas songs that annoy me:

I want a Hippopatomus for Christmas
anything by the Carpenters

Christmas songs that make me cry:

Mary Did you Know?
I Need a Silent Night (not sure who sings it but I heard it this morning and it brought tears)

Christmas should be a happy, almost magical, time of year. However I think for more of us than would admit we struggle because we get caught up what's expected of us and end up stressed. Is my house perfectly clean, did I buy everyone the right gift, is the Christmas dinner menu good enough??? We need to take a deep breath and concentrate on what the season is really about. The birth of Jesus Christ and what that means in our lives.

So don't let things like the following (that have truly happened recently) deter your concentration:

your son wrecking his truck (be thankful that no one was hurt)
the temperature not going above 20 degress for days on end and grey skies and frigid wind that make you want to move to a tropical uninhabited island (be glad you have warm boots!).
your job being so stressful that you want to move to a tropical uninhabited island and never see another un-related human again (these days be glad you HAVE a job)
the economy failing (again...be glad you HAVE a job)
ignorant people who can't see the harm they are causing by enabling people so much that they can't "stand on their own two feet" (be proud you are strong enough to say NO)
getting a speeding ticket on your way to work 2 days before Christmas (to put things in perspective - I'm almost 40 and it's my FIRST so the statistics aren't bad!)

So relax, enjoy your holiday, eat alot of good food (you can exercise next week)! Maybe Santa will bring you a bail-out!

Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T08:44:00.002-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving all!

While you are enjoying your turkey and other fixins I hope you take the time to reflect on the Blessings in your life and Thank God for them.

Being a natural Sarcastoid (I made up that word - but it fits) it's a difficult task for me. Here's some stumbling blocks of Thanksgiving for me:

Should I be thankful that a bunch of people came over to this land hundreds of years ago and took it from the rightful owners by force?
Should I be thankful that I live in a country that is now paying for YEARS of greed and haughtiness?
Should I be thankful that I live in a country that embraces and rewards LAZINESS?

OK there are things that I am clearly NOT thankful for...

BUT, surprisingly I can think of what I AM thankful for:

I am thankful for God's love for me (despite my very, very long list of faults) and my SALVATION!
I am thankful for a wonderful husband who has endured my weirdness for almost 21 years!
I am thankful that the two children to whom I gave birth are healthy.
I am thankful for my education and my career.
I am thankful for friends - even you Tiffany (did you remember to fill out those protocols? HEEHEE)
I am thankful for my family - even the ones who live on another continent - which makes it even more sweet when I get to see them!
I am thankful that I was able to buy my husband a Corvette and for the new friendships that we've made since that purchase!(shout out to the Glass City Corvette Club!!)
I am thankful that I remain ambulatory.

WOW I do have things for which I am Thankful...who knew?!

I'm still Standin'

2008-11-13T18:49:00.002-05:00

I know, I know...I haven't posted in far too long. So here's my 3 tidbits for today...

#1 You MUST view this video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odzlnKypqTo

And if that doesn't work just go to youtube and type in
"Restoration Station Corvette Fall Colors Tour 2008."
You will see over 150 Corvettes as they drive through a covered bridge. And if you watch it (or fast forward) to 5mins 24 seconds you will see Terry and me zooming past
( at about 5 mins 19 secs you'll see a red C6 followed by a black C6, then us in the 1984 C4) . This was a tour we went on with our Corvette club last month down in Springboro, Ohio. It was a blast! Driving down winding, hilly roads, sometimes going the speed limit, but mostly NOT, with throngs of other "vette"ers...what a day! oh yea - the trees were beautiful, too!

Which reminds me... last week Terry and I were bored so we test drove a Yellow C5 that's at the Jeep dealer's used car lot and I'm HOOKED - so if anyone wants to know what to get me for Christmas.....

#2. In case you haven't heard, the Obama Bin Biden ticket won that little election. OF COURSE I know you've heard..that was called "sarcasm". Well, America...you really didn't have much of a choice (please refer to my prior post). I certainly hope I'm proven wrong about the Democratic party. Only time will tell..... about 4 yrs I'd say! But I do have a rhetorical question. Ponder this...If someone won't vote for someone simply because of the color of their skin - that's RACIST and makes me sick...on the other hand If someone VOTES for someone simply because of the color of their skin...what's THAT?
Settle DOWN I'm merely bringing up food for thought...it's what I do. Word vomit :) ... get it??!! (bringing up food....for thought) OMG I crack myself up.

At least Sarah's back in Alaska - hopefully taking courses in Geography and "How To Be Interviewed By The Press 101". And McCain can get on with researching Nursing Homes.

And finally #3. A quick update on my "Quest" (also refer to earlier posts)...
I've lost 44.6 lbs and I'm down from a size 18 to a size 8. I will be posting more on this soon - hopefully I can find some Before pics and put them up with After pics and it'll be like an infomercial!! And I'll tell you my "Secret to Weight Lose" for only 3 easy payments of $49.99.
But WAIT there's more!

Ok Enough sarcastic, cynicism for one day...

Elections

2008-10-08T19:04:00.003-04:00

Here's me at the voting booth in a few weeks -

Standing in front of this machine with all these names, the line behind me is getting longer and longer. People are sighing loudly, impatiently tapping their feet on the floor. Of course I'm oblivious to the poll worker kindly telling me to hurry it up before others in line exercise their freedom to kick my butt. No, I'm not aware of my ever increasing hostile surroundings because I'm staring at the computer screen, in a state of panic because I realize that there is NO ONE I WANT TO PRESIDENT on the ballot!!!!

Sound like one of my freaky weird nightmares?? No, I'm afraid that will shortly be reality.

Ok...Maybe I should vote Republican. I DO support Republican values..work hard, support yourself, be accountable. But Sarah Palin??? Come ON...Did you SEE the Katie Couric interview? Somebody PLEAZE teach this woman the fine art of political B.S. Doesn't she know that when asked a question you don't answer it! You dance around it - especially if you have NO clue!!
Why couldn't Katie's name be on the ballot instead? Ok, so Sarah can shoot - but that pre-requisite didn't work out too well for Dick Chaney did it? I don't know - maybe she could be Vice President and they could send her to Pakistan or Afghanistan or Utah or wherever Bin Laden is hiding out and she could shoot him! Wouldn't that be poetic - Bin Laden shot by an American WOMAN?!!!! She could be like "Take that you filthy terrorist extremist friend-of-the Taliban. No Berka for Sarah!!!". Maybe she wouldn't be such a bad choice.... I'm still not convinced that she's REALLY NOT Tina Fey. Live from DC....it's SAturday NIGHT!!

John McCain - he's a little out of touch, isn't he?!! On the other hand he's not a DEMOCRAT!! Ok - so you want to raise taxes - at least he admits it. Why not? If you enjoy freedom, there is a price that every American must pay. And I'm not talking about the soldier's who "pay the price" for freedom. I'm talking about taxes. You like that nice smooth road you drive on? Taxes paid for that. You like the school your child goes to? Taxes paid for that. Live in a country where no one pays taxes and then see how you feel about taxes. I know, I know... taxes are already high and we pay enough blah blah blah. well, move to Siberia. However I wanna know what he's gonna do about people who don't pay taxes, sit on their ASSES and reap the benefits. People NOTHING is FREE.

Speaking of the screwed up WELFARE and MEDICAID system.....
Let's look at the Democratic ticket...

Obama. Who IS this guy? He doesn't strike me as being tough enough to take on the job. I could be terribly wrong, but DUDE...really. His wife on the other hand...it's clear who rules their roost! She's the tough one! And where is HIS experience? Community service....which is a nice way of saying "I helped poor people - aren't I a SAINT?!" Well, how about you put an end to this system of that has allowed the term "poor" be synonymous with "lazy". You know he's going to win though because everyone on Welfare is gonna vote for him. Protecting their livelihood!
And Joe Biden..I've never met the man (obviously) but he seems like a sleezebag. And I can't stand VAIN people. I mean, Joe..enough with the plastic surgery! Dude - it doesn't make you look younger, it makes you look like Barbie's grandfather. And what does he stand for? Who knows?

The question is... what do any of the candidates stand for? The truth is ...they stand for themselves and what they can gain from being in a powerful position. The truth is there are VERY few politicians (except for Mike Huckabee maybe) who truly care for Americans. When that Man or Women's name is on the ballot- I will vote for them.

What will I decide as I'm pondering at the voting booth? Just before the angered crowd pummels me, I will close my eyes, point and whomever my finger lands on will be my choice. I will then adhere my little red, white, and blue "I voted" sticker to my shirt and go about my day.
God bless America!

Unions - Duh!?

2008-09-08T19:28:00.003-04:00

OK I know I haven't blogged for a while and I'm getting grief about it so here's my blog for today.

WARNING: it's contraversial - read at your own risk!!!

I went to a HUGE car show in Toledo the other day. There were hundreds of cars of every make, model, color, size, and varying degrees of modifications. Many were impressive (especially the 'Vettes) , some were ridiculous, but all were someone's pride and joy.

The show was on the grounds of a plant owned by one of the "Big 3" and there was UAW everywhere - on signs, vehicles, and bumper stickers. The one I noticed most was a bumper sticker that said "Out of work? Keep buying foreign". My first thought was in TOTAL agreement. We own 4 vehicles - all of which are American - Saturn, Ford, Chevy and Dodge. We do buy American - my husband won't even buy tennis shoes if they are made elsewhere (that's a LONG day of shopping, let me tell ya!). But then I questioned...What happened that brought America to this point?

I'm not well versed in American Union history but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that there HAS to be 2 sides to this proverbial coin. And, I'm sorry to say, while both sides involve American greed, one side (the workers) bring to mind my favorite term "Duh!".

While I have the utmost respect for Union members (my husband is one), as they are known to be hard working, honest Americans with impressive work ethic, (maybe not the ones who take their much breaks to consume alcohol in the parking lot or sell drugs on the job) I have to ask - how much is enough? I know big corporations are headed by money hungry, big-headed self-serving folks who probably can't tell you how many houses they own (Sorry, McCain), BUT they are business people. To them it is ONLY about the dollar and they will do and have done whatever it takes to make more and more and more $$$. But knowing this brings me to MY question. KNOWING how these corporate giants operate, are Unions not essentially shooting themselves in the foot?
PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong that I may see the errors of my ways, but KNOWING how corporations operate, don't Unions realize that demanding MORE and MORE and MORE - of COURSE operations are going to be moved OUT of America!

I know I write in ignorance - and I probably have NO say in the matter - but I feel very strongly that America needs to WAKE up and see OUR "DUh" way of thinking. How much is enough?
So workers have banned together and demanded better work conditions - WONDERFUL - better Health coverage - SPECTACULAR. I'm NOT being facetious - those things should be demanded. But what about the workers who make twice what teachers make, and could afford to retire at 50> Good for you - but when your plant is moved overseas and you are left with zilch - did ya ever think that maybe you could have settled for a little less - NOW you would at least have SOMETHING? Feel the bullet in the foot?

Don't get me wrong - I'm not BLAMING workers just serving up some food for thought.
so Keep up the good work, Keep buying American (I know I will), but Appreciate what you have while you have it.

By the way - whatever happened to Jimmy Hoffa?

"Quest" update

2008-08-08T20:01:00.007-04:00

UPDATE on my "Quest to not be FAT anymore"!

Ok - here's a "before" picture - it was taken last year when Emily and I went to Mexico. (I'm the fat one in the red dress). I hardly have any "before"pictures because I hated to have my picture taken.....

You WON'T see an "after" picture because I'm not DONE! OK - I'll add a "now" picture!

Since I began the "Quest" I've lost 31 lbs! I CAN'T believe it. I still get up and go to the gym and do Turbo jam in the evenings. I have started to get braver and have jogged in public a couple of times - and didn't crack the sidewalk!

I was worried that vacation would be a stumbling block - but I managed to get ALOT of exercise, made good food choices - but allowed myself to "cheat" a little! Even through an MS exacerbation where the left upper half of my body went numb and decided not to work properly, I kept going and didn't give up!

I still have SEVERAL pounds to go before I get to my goal but here's a "now" picture.
It was taken in DC and NO we weren't drunk - just exhausted!

so WHO KNEW that I would still be on this journey? NOT me! But let me tell ya - (warning..here comes a cliche...) IF I CAN DO IT ANYONE CAN!!

Arkansas stuff

2008-08-03T09:33:00.000-04:00

Arkansas stuff

2008-08-03T08:35:00.000-04:00

Visit with Lechners

Visit to the National Corvette Museum

2008-08-02T07:21:00.001-04:00

National Corvette Museum

Trip pics Part 1

2008-08-01T06:44:00.001-04:00

United 93 National Memorial Site

Vacation

2008-07-25T07:04:00.002-04:00

Boy, do I need to blog.

I'm on vacation and have limited computer access - So.....

STAY TUNED because there will be new stuff on here real soon!!!

Ego Force1 (watch closely)

2008-07-12T22:33:00.004-04:00

Don't send a lame eCard.
Try JibJab Sendables!

Terry's toy

2008-07-08T19:06:00.008-04:00

After YEARS of dreaming, Terry needs to be pinched. He now has a 1984 Corvette.

That's something called a "350" , by the way. I call it a motor.

Terry says there are horses under the hood - I don't see any!

Terry really likes the digital readouts on the dash. The speedometer on the left appears only to go to 85 - but the digital readout on the right has triple digits - WHY would you need triple digits?! : )

It's not in bad shape considering it's an '84. (the year AFTER Terry graduated high school!

Don't have to wonder what side of the pump to pull up to!

Wondering if it's a convertible? It's a "removable" - it has a targa top.

We ARE taking suggestions for personalized plates - Leave it in comments!

Second-Ever Cousin Party

2008-07-06T15:48:00.031-04:00

Once upon a time (a few years ago), in a land far, far away (Arkansas) there lived 2 little boys (Coleson and Will) who stayed with their Aunt (Amy) for a few days while their parents were away on a trip. As their visit went on, a 2 monsters (Boredom and Homesickness) were creeping up slowly. So to defeat these monsters, their brave Aunt decided to throw a party (the First ever "Cousin Party"). The kids played games, had a treasure hunt, finger painted with shaving cream, and decorated cupcakes. The evil Monsters were destroyed and when the boy's Mommy and Daddy returned, the boys told the tale of the Cousin Party and it lived in legend....

As the years passed the boys grew taller and 2 more siblings were born (Luke and Abby). They lived all over the world (Madagascar, South Africa, Mozambique). The tale of the Cousin Party was told to the younger ones, who wished they had been there.

One day they all, once again, returned to visit their Aunt in a new land (Ohio) She decided to throw ANOTHER COUSIN PARTY!!!

They played a game where they had to fill their buckets with water, race down to the line and pour the water into a milk jug. The first team to fill the jug won!

They had to breath fire - well, not really, but they did see who could keep fireball candy in their mouths the longest.

Looks like it got Too hot for Coleson!

<-- Dan and Will - taking the heat!

TOO hot! See the red ball on the ground?!

There was a great soccer match

They were blindfolded and had to guess the identity of the gross item they were handed:
Was it spaghetti - or INTESTINES? Abby didn't care - she said whatever it was - it tasted good!

It was a GREAT day and we can't wait for the next one!

Happy Independence Day...?

2008-07-02T14:20:00.003-04:00

Wow it's HOT today it's definitely summer! Friday is the 4th of July. Wasn't it JUST January last week? Well it seems like it. Anyway. Speaking of the 4th I need to, once again, get on my soap box and express some views. If you don't agree - it doesn't matter - because I'm right.

America is an AWESOME place. No - it really is. I know what you are thinking - Amy's being sarcastic. No, I'm not - at least not yet. America IS an AWESOME place. As you know I grew up in St. Vincent and the Grenadines so I do have something to which to compare. America is great and here's some reasons why.

I can go to the grocery store and find everything on my list.
I can go to the gas station to fill up and even though the price is OUTRAGEOUS - there is gas available.
I can sleep at night without fear of intruders (ok - so I live in a safe town where my husband is a cop).
I work with a great bunch of people at Gentiva Health Services - the BEST home care agency in America. (Givin a shout out to Tiffany - word to yo mutha!)
I can go to the movies and they will be new movies - not ones from a couple of years ago - or even 20 years ago.
I can drive up to a building and through a speaker tell someone what I'm hungry for - give them money - and they give me food.
The list goes on and on.
I appreciate living here. I am aware that I have freedoms that many others in the world do not - and I'm grateful for those freedoms. [Especially the FREEDOM to write the rest of this blog without fear of retribution! read on...]

HOWEVER....
America is one MESSED up place. We have a WARPED sense of Freedom. We have taken advantage of our Freedoms. I'm going to use the term "we" but I really know who I mean when I say "WE'VE" become a country full of LAZY, dumb, self-centered MORONS. And the country, as a whole, has allowed it to happen.

Yes - I'm gonna "go" there... This whole WELFARE system "we" have here - nice idea - but STUPID!!! Way to go America - teach your people that they don't HAVE to work - just stay home an pop out babies - we'll pay for your rent, your food, and even your beer. OK ok ok people fall on hard times and need help...yea yea I know - WHY? What made their time harder than mine or my neighbors? NOTHING - they just made stupid choices that affected their life negatively- and now I have to pay their consequences?? I DON'T THINK SO. You know what? This is AMERICA - everyone has the SAME opportunities as EVERYONE else - so QUIT WHINING and get EDUCATED and GET A JOB. By the way - I'm ALL for court ordered vasectomies and hysterectomies. Have you ever thought that maybe we have TOO MANY freedoms?

So you say - what about people who have lost their jobs because of outsourcing, downsizing, illness etc? First of all, I wonder what percentage of WELFARE $ goes to people in those circumstances? I DO have a heart and I know "things" happen beyond our control. THOSE are the ONLY people who should get the welfare money - NOT people who haven't worked a day in their life.

But the BIGGEST problem in this country, as I see it, is STUPIDITY. I'm not talking about IGNORANCE - I'm talkin REAL out-and-out STUPID. We are overrun with stupid. Common Sense should be a mandatory class in every grade. WHY can't people seem to THINK?? In nursing school ( I think everyone should go to nursing school) you are taught "critical" thinking. Then when you are faced with a problem, you have the tools to "figure it out". I don't know if I grew up with my head in the sand or what but it seems the older I get the more I realize how STUPID alot of people are. And I don't tolerate STUPID well.

So this 4th of JULY I will take time to appreciate our FREEDOMS - even the freedom to be LAZY and STUPID.

Have a safe and HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY everyone!

More Realizations....things that might surprise you.

2008-06-25T18:26:00.004-04:00

Here, now is Part 2 of "Realizations" ....enjoy.

You can use leftover garlic breadsticks from Olive Garden to make a tasty bread pudding! The trick is to use lots and lots of sugar, vanilla flavoring, and almond extract to hide the garlic flavor - your family will never know! That is, unless you tell them. In that case, they will make a face and say "Eeeewwww". But if you don't cook anything for dinner, they will get hungry enough and when you wake up in the morning half the pan would have been eaten.

Don't fart in a tanning bed. Especially when the fan is at the foot of the bed.

Always get a reciept - especially at Wal-Mart. But if you don't and they accidently put the person- behind -you- in -line's charges (which includes tampons- which you KNOW aren't yours because you had a hysterectomy in 2003) on YOUR credit card, they can look back on the videotape and see which cashier screwed up, put her on probation, fix your charges, AND give you a gift certificate for your trouble.

Always have dental floss available when you plan to eat a mango before a meeting. Orange hairy teeth are distracting. If you don't have dental floss, stop by a Dentist, explain your predicament and I'll bet they'll give you a sample. Sorry - toothpicks just won't cut it.

That's it for now. I gotta go do laundry. I just realized - we don't have any clean towels!!

Procrastination - a psychological profile

2008-06-21T08:53:00.000-04:00

It's Saturday morning and I'm procrastinating. My plan is to clean out kitchen cabinets today, but writing a blog sounds like more fun.

Procrastinating is the one thing I do well. At work - it's hard to do - with so many deadlines and so many people it would affect, it's not worth it, but at home I'm a Procrastinating Pro! The repercussions are less and the worst that could happen is I get out of the shower to find there are no clean towels. - Yea - keep laughing - like that's never happened to YOU.

Procrastination is the Scarlett O'Hara syndrome. "Tomorrow IS another day."

I looked up the word in Wikipedia and here's what they say:

"Procrastination is a type of behavior which is characterized by deferment of actions or tasks to a later time. Psychologists often cite procrastination as a mechanism for coping with the anxiety associated with starting or completing any task or decision."

Wow! THAT explains it! See, for those of you who don't know me - Anxiety is a family trait. True anxiety - cold sweats, leg bouncing, diarrhea - for NO reason. Yesserree - If you share my genes you KNOW what I'm talkin about!

But let's explore the task at hand- I apparently have anxiety "associated with starting or completing"[the task of] cleaning out my cabinets.

Why - you might ask??? I'm curious myself.

Maybe it's because I feel it's too BIG of a task and then anxiety would be replaced with "overwelm-ity".

Or perhaps it's because I feel I wouldn't do a good job and anxiety would be replaced with "failure-ity"

Or it's because I'm AFRAID of what I'll find in the cabinets and anxiety would be replaced with SHEER TERROR.... (Oprah did have a show once about a lady who was deathly afraid of oatmeal).

But no... I'm well aware of the reason for my procrastination over cleaning out my cabinets. It's the SAME reason EVERYONE procrastinates. It's because cleaning out the cabinets....IS NOT FUN and I'm LAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gotta go find a garbage bag...

DUH-isms

2008-06-11T19:11:00.001-04:00

Just a short note to say....

If you are driving in America on a highway, and you are going the speed limit or slower - GET IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE. - We've all been behind that dumb car in the fast lane driving the same speed as the car beside it in the slow lane - and usually it's when I REALLY have to pee...

If you are at the checkout counter at the store, and half of your items have already been rung up and you realize that you forgot to get something - GET IT NEXT TIME. - Come on people, don't you know why God created LISTS???

If you are faxing and it doesn't go through the first time - CALL TO SEE IF YOU HAVE THE RIGHT NUMBER. - I don't know about you but I just LOVE it when the phone rings, I answer and I hear "BEEEP, BEEEEP". And I love it even more when I hang up and it rings again, more BEEEPS, I hang up, it rings again , more BEEEPS....

If you don't know the answer to something: GOOGLE IT. There is no longer an excuse to be ignorant - now stupid is a different story all together.

Stayed tuned - More Duh-isms to come!!!

My Quest

2008-06-10T17:48:00.000-04:00

Up until two and a half months ago I was an advocate for the "life is too short" and "So much chocolate, so little time" campaign. It's true. Someone would ask "are you hungry?" at ANYTIME and my reply was "I could eat". I never worried about my weight. When my clothes became too tight, I'd go buy new ones. I'd lost weight before and I could do it again, if I wanted to, but I didn't want to. I didn't WANT to go on a diet - ALL fad diets are stupid, diet pills are dangerous, and surgery is just if your alternative is death. I didn't THINK of exercising - I have MS and I couldn't imagine the spasmodic fits my legs would throw...

But...

I don't know WHAT happened, but one day in April a thought popped in my head. I don't know where it came from - but I KNEW I just didn't want to be fat anymore. There is no vacation planned that I have to don a bathing suit, there is no wedding I have to attend, where I would have to wear a little black dress. No apparent motivation other than that thought " I don't want to be fat ANYMORE".

So began ....."The Quest To Not Be Fat Anymore"....(did I hear horns sounding??).
I can't believe I'm putting this out there for the world to know, but I stepped on the scales and the digital readout said...

"GET OFF - you're crushing me!!!"

Did you really think I was going to tell you my weight??

Ok Maybe I'll tell you in future blogs...but not now! Anyway...

SO how was I going to Not Be Fat Anymore?? The cliche way - EAT RIGHT AND EXERCISE.

FOOD:
I have no diet plan, nothing set in stone, no rigid rules. I can eat anything I want - I just don't WANT to eat a lot of things I used to - like Snicker's bars , Starbuck's Caramel Macchiatos, Whopper Juniors with cheese - no pickle, medium fry and a coke. The morning I went through the Burger King drive-thru and ordered orange juice instead of my usual BK Mocha Joe, the lady at the window asked if I was sick!
What I DO eat is lean turkey, chicken, tuna, eggs, peanut butter, LOTS of vegetables (not carrots - they are gross), fruit, cheeses, yogurt, WHOLE GRAIN bread (very little, though). Here's a tip: "Broccoli Slaw" can be eaten just like potato chips!

EXERCISE:
Shock of all shocks - I joined a gym! Can you believe it?? ME? at a GYM??? Seriously - I found a small gym that's accessible 24/7. It's on my way to work - I don't have to make a special trip to go. There are very few people there (at 5:45am) so I don't feel at all self-conscious. I work out about an hour, shower, and go to work (usually I get dressed between the "shower" and "go to work" steps).

And...

TURBO JAM!!! encouraged by my friend Jenell - who's lost 37 bazillion pounds - I ordered Turbo Jam - yep- straight from the infomercial - or rather Exercisemercial! If you haven't tried it and want to get in shape - TRY it!!! You can order it from the commercial OR go to Beachbody.com.

So my day is this: Get up , go the the gym, go to work, come home, do Turbo Jam, go to bed.

Oh YEA - I eat , drink LOTS of water and REST! I make sleep a priority. I'm always in bed by 9 and asleep by 10. Yea - I know - that's when the good shows are on - right? Well, that's why God created TiVo, silly!

Well, It's now been about 6 weeks since the beginning of "The Quest" and I've lost 17 pounds, and about 2 inches from my waist, hips, thighs, and arms. I have an abundance of energy, and the spasms in my legs happen less often, and I have NOT ONCE felt deprived - depraved maybe - but not deprived! I did "overdo " it the day I took my sister to Red Lobster. (But THAT only happens once every 4 years - or so! - right Angie?!)

So...Stay tuned - I might just post pictures one day of my "Quest To Not Be Fat Anymore"

My Mom and Dad

2008-06-05T17:35:00.001-04:00

Today is my parents 43rd Wedding Anniversary. For some weird reason I thought all my life that their anniversary was June 9th - but it's not - it's the 5th. So I've never wished them Happy Anniversary on time - until now!

I first met my parents in 1969 - when I was born. I don't remember it but I'm sure I was very happy to meet them.

Everyone should know the wonderful things they have done in the last 43 years. Many people know bits and pieces, but you have to know the whole story. One day I'll write it in a book and then advertise it on this blog, Dave Letterman will interview me, I'll make millions... But for now I'd like to share memorable events about my parents.

When I was very young my Dad, who has a weak stomach, was going to make brownies - BY HAND! He went to the kitchen, gathered the needed ingredients and set off to make us the chocolaty delectable treat. After a while we heard sounds of grunting - almost retching coming not from a bathroom but from the before mentioned kitchen. When my mom went in to investigate, she found that Dad was, in fact, making the brownies by hand - literally. He had mixed the ingredients in a bowl and was, with bare hands, squishing the brown goo between his fingers, but trying not to hurl as the slime of the eggs apparently reminded him of nasal discharge!
I don't know if he actually finished the brownies, and if so - DID WE EAT THEM???!!

On a similar note...My Mom has had quite a few culinary tales with "not so happy" endings - here's one that I recall.

While living in the Caribbean country of St. Vincent and the Grenadines it was difficult to get a lot of the foods we were used to in America, and food was not cheap. One particular day my Mom was going to make my Dad a birthday cake. A lovely 2 layer fluffy chocolate cake with chocolate icing! She toiled in the tropical heat, tediously measuring each ingredient to make sure this cake was just right for my Dad's special day. After the batter was mixed to the perfect consistency (with a utensil - NOT by hand) she poured it into the round cake pans, set it into the perfectly heated oven and even let my sister and I lick the big orange mixing bowl! So as not to BURN the cake, Mom set the timer! Precisely 45 to 50 minutes later (ok, ok I don't remember how long EXACTLY - give me a break!) it was TIME! Donning heat proof gloves, Mom opened the oven door ever so gently - as to not bump anything and cause the cake to "fall". She waved off the wave of steam. When she peered in to see the scrumptious creation, she let out a groan. , OH NO!! The cakes were done all right- but came out of the oven the same height as they went in. The "pancake" cakes could be salvaged, right? That is - until the parts that weren't cemented to the pan fell out in cakey clumps. Whatever could've gone so terribly wrong?? The answer was still sitting on the cabinet - three answers, actually, sitting there still in their oval white - uncracked shells. Mom had forgotten the EGGS!
Poor Mom - thoughts rushing through her head: the WASTE, the EXPENSE, the ruined birthday...it all became TOO MUCH. Mom tossed the pans across the kitchen into the empty sink and escaped to her bedroom in a tearful rage. I wisely stayed in the kitchen, decided that cake should NEVER be wasted - I bravely walked to the sink, picked up one of the now-cooled-off cake pans, sat down and ate the best birthday cake I'd ever tasted!

I'm sure there's a moral there somewhere!

I could, and should, go on and on about how my parents gave so much of themselves to make other's lives better, and to shine the love of Christ. Like the labor intensive hours my Dad spent helping to build churches - not just with bricks and mortar, but with God's word, and prayer. Or like how my Mom developed a formula to feed starving babies, bellies ironically swollen with the blight of malnutrition, teaching other Mom's how to raise chickens, grow kitchen gardens, and for goodness sakes - breastfeed your babies - it's FREE! Or about the drowned little boy on the black sand beach of Sandy Bay on whom my Mom successfully performed CPR while others were rubbing sand on his belly because that's all they knew to do. It's almost 30 years later he's still alive!
No one on earth will EVER know the impact these 2 amazing people have had and continue to have!

SO it's JUNE 5th - and I'd like to say - I LOVE you guys and I couldn't be prouder!
Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

Realizations

2008-06-03T17:46:00.000-04:00

Realizing is not always learning new things - it's mostly understanding things you already knew but never really thought about - "a-ha" moments...

Things I realized today:

I'm not good at blogging. I totally forgot my sister helped me start this blog. Now it's HOW many days later and I haven't added a thing?!
I like bad weather. Yea - I know it scares me and I've been known to sleep on the couch during storms for fear that a tree will fall on my room, BUT I love to hear thunder and watch as lightning flashes. (is Eddie Rabbitt here???!!) No matter how severe the storm - it's only a tiny glimpse of God's unfathomable power.
I'm not a great speller. I mean - without spell-check I had NO IDEA how to spell unfathomable.
Driving with a screw in your back tire is nerve wracking. OK there's some explanation warranted here - so I ran over a screw in my driveway. (I'm sure the make-shift auto shop my 17 yr old has in our driveway had NOTHING to do with it). ANYWAY I noticed a thump-thump sound while going to the store, but the tire was not flat - nor hissing a threat of going flat. My husband reassured me that it would be fine to drive on - so I did. Driving in the rain on the freeway, however, I was mentally preparing for a high-speed blow-out - thinking "should I slow WAY down and let this semi pass me so when my tire goes he won't smush me?" or "If my tire blows when I'm ON the bridge do I stop on the bridge or do I limp to the other side?" and "When the state trooper writes my ticket for driving an unsafe vehicle, do I ADMIT that I knew the tire was already screwed?(pun intended).
I'm not going to Cancun this year. I know, anything can happen. I didn't think this time LAST year that I was going to Cancun LAST year - but I did. My daughter won a contest and took me with her. It was going to be her honeymoon but she broke up with the guy before the wedding (THANK the LORD) , but she had to have someone 21 or older to travel with, so since I already HAD a passport.... ANYWAY the radio station is giving away a trip to Cancun and I've tried and tried to be the 10th caller but all I EVER get is a busy signal, and the last day to qualify is (was) today. Oh well, my daughter would've wanted me to reciprocate, my son would've wanted me to take him, but I would've taken their Dad, and BOTH of my kids would've been mad at me. So see, it's a good thing I'm not going to Cancun this year.
My name in "web-dings" is Amy. OK so that was SUPPOSED to be little bitty pictures of a train, a telephone pole, and a circle with a line thru it (use your imagination). Do people really use web-dings font, and if so....Why?

Ok - enough realizing for today. I wonder what I'll realize tomorrow???

New to me

2008-05-22T14:39:00.000-04:00

OK - so this is the first time I've ever tired this "blog" thing. So be warned - I have a blog and I'm not afraid to use it!

I guess I should give you a background on my life:

Here's the synopsis: I was born (a LONG time ago) in the little town of Bernice, Louisiana. Lived in the following places, in chronological order: Weldon, Louisiana; Shongaloo, Louisiana; Crossett, Arkansas; Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines (in the West Indies) ; El Dorado, Arkansas; Tacoma, Washington; Colorado Springs, Colorado; El Dorado, Arkansas (again); and FINALLY Bowling Green, Ohio.

I've been married to my best friend for 20 years, we have 2 children - more on that later...
I'm a born- again Christian, with no "organized religion" affiliation, more on THAT later...

This will be an attempt to share my life experiences - if anyone even cares to know - and I promise everything is TRUE! This will also be an attempt to explain why ALL of MY opinions are the RIGHT ones (haha), so stay tuned!!!