POST IT NOTE TUESDAY

UPDATE:

MEMORIAL DAY 2011

REMEMBERING THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES
FOR OUR FREEDOM

FAT ASS FRIDAY

Don't be afraid to be accountable.
Push on the button and join us.

I didn't show up to this party last week because I did my Disneyland post and I also didn't have anything to report. I had stayed at 206 which was actually a good thing since I had gone out for lunch twice and ate a lot of birthday cake. (carrot cake in the bakery at Walmart was very good) I guess that maybe with the 14 hours of walking around Disneyland I must have burned some calories. (and what is it about Disneyland that makes me have energy that I haven't seen in years?) If I go for a walk outside my house I get winded right away. They must have special magical air!

So as of Thursday afternoon (I get my best weight in the afternoon) I have gone down 2 pounds putting me at 204. Total lost -8!

Have a great weekend everyone.

Happy Memorial Day!

New post today at Debby's Tree.

WAY TO GO SCOTTY

I was so excited last night when Scotty McCreery won American Idol. I haven't always been an Idol fan and most years I only watch the final 12. This year I watched from day one because of the new judges and I must say I loved every single moment of it. Also this year had some of the best talent I have ever seen.

Scotty stole my heart right away. Funny thing, I don't like country. I have never been able to get into it. I don't hate it, it just never grew on me. Well as soon as I heard Scotty sing I knew that if he ever had an album out I would be first in line to buy it! (just saying this has brought tears to my eyes) I really like him.

So maybe country is growing on me now!

WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE

Three Cheers for the red white and hodgepodge!
Click on the button and join in the fun.

1. What is something about living in this country that you value? 'This country' is whatever country you call home.
The freedom to be whoever you want to be.

2. What is a favorite something you own that is red, white, and/or blue?
A pair of converse shoes.

3. Do you fly a flag at your house on patriotic holidays?
I will often put out little ones in the front yard.

4. What ingredients do you think should be included in a great picnic basket?
Hamburgers, hot dogs, buns, pickles, potato salad, potato chips, watermelon, a great cake and condiments.

5. What is one interesting piece of trivia you know? Interesting is of course a relative term.
Working in a Hallmark store for many years we would have people come in asking for an ornament they saw at someones house the Christmas before thinking we would have it. Each ornament at Hallmark is new each year. If they are ever duplicated they are done in a repaint color and that is usually done several years later.

6. Wednesday, May 24th is National Escargot day...have you ever tried them? Eww or ooh?
No and eww!

7. What is one thing you know for sure?
That I will pass away one day and go to Heaven.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
These are busy times for me. I may not be visiting as much as I normally do and reading every single post but I will try my hardest to be over. I have got to get some things done around my house that I have been putting off for well over a year now. I can't give my blogging six+ hours a day like I normally do. I just can't go on vacation knowing these things are in such disarray! ((HUGS FOR UNDERSTANDING))

A FEW PICTURES TO SHARE

So here are a few pictures from our trip to Disneyland on Friday. I had decided to take pictures in B&W this trip. I don't even take that many anymore. I do have an awesome picture of the kids that I will share at another time. It was a perfect day, the weather was beautiful, we arrived around 10am and didn't leave until after midnight! Never waited longer then 20 minutes for a ride and most of them we got right on. Had two great meals and walked our butts off.

It was a wonderful day!

I just love the lanterns above the teacup ride.

A few fireworks. (I did turn my color on)

Had a great time shopping. $$$
Are these not the cutest magnets?

I pretty much layed on the couch all day Saturday. I was exhausted! I also found a really cute packpack for my trip. (Not too big/not too small)

IF YOUR LOOKING FOR ME.....

I'll Be Here All Day!

I am so happy about the results of last nights American Idol. Congratulations to Scotty & Lauren for making it to the final two!!!

New post at Debby's Tree!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMBER

To our beautiful daughter,

Happy 30th Birthday!

I have no clue where the years have gone.
0 to 30 in the blink of an eye!

Love Always,
Mom & Dad

P.S. Amber would perfer no pictures on my blog.

WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE

You know this is fun, what are you waiting for?
Click on the button and join us.

1. What reveals more about a woman-her refrigerator or her purse?
Well that's a great question. I'm not sure. I am thinking her purse but lately I've been carrying a very tiny one which doesn't show much about me inside!

2. When was the last time you went to the zoo? Where? What's your favorite zoo animal?
It's been a number of years since I have been. The Brookfield Zoo in Illinois or the San Diego Zoo in California. Giraffe will always be my answer to that question.

3. What social issue fires you up?
I, for many years, get fired up about all the things that are printed in Spanish. This is the United States of America and we write/speak English. I don't think you should be able to become an American citizen unless you are able to do it in English. I don't expect to go to France/Italy and see everything in English!

4. Are you a coupon clipper? If so, are you extreme?
I am a clipper. No I am not extreme but I know several people who are and they sure can save a lot of money.

5. What is one of your favorite souvenirs brought back from your travels?
I can't think of one that I bought for myself. I do have a small Statue of Liberty that was bought for me in a shop by the twin towers in August the same year as 9/11. To think that if my son's trip was a few weeks later he could have possibly been in the towers when that happened.

6. Lemon meringue or key lime?
I would have to say key lime, so yummy!

7. What is the most beautiful word you know in any language?
Je t'aime (I Love You in French)

8. Insert your own random thought here.
If you watch American Idol please vote. At this point and time I would like to see Lauren and Scotty be in the top 2. (just my opinion) I just haven't liked Haley enough even though she has a great voice. I didn't like her attitude towards the judges last week. Anyway if you are a fan and watch please note that you can vote online for free. I will be voting over and over again for Scotty!

POST IT NOTE TUESDAY

Click here to join Kristin in PINT!

FAT ASS FRIDAY

Head on over to Brandy's and join in.

I've been following Brandy for a long time now. I just love reading her blog and seeing her son Grayson all the time. He is so darn cute. Brandy is so much fun to read. Click on the button and visit with her, check out her new Etsy shop!

I really don't want to admit my weight but I think it's time for me to be accountable. You might see me here each week or maybe never again. Hopefully the first will hold true. I think I am finally in the right frame of mind. That doesn't mean I won't cheat from time to time but hopefully I will make better choices.

I have to do this for my health. I was recently put on an additional blood pressure medication. As you know I have COPD. (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) I have been on oral steroids for almost 20 years now. I got off of them about 2 years ago and stayed off for a year. I had to go back on them but am working hard at weening off of them again. I can't do a lot of exercise because most days I am lucky to just be breathing. I am doing a lot better then I did about 4 years ago.

So I am normally around 200 pounds. I got down below that before my trip to Florida in February but I put it back on with some extra pounds. I got to my highest ever at 212. How I wish that was my bowling score! I have been working really hard on this for two weeks now and I have lost 6 pounds. So as of today I am 206.

New post at Debby's Tree today!

WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE

I just couldn't answer some of these so I had my husband join me in answering some of them.

1. How many times in your life have you moved house?
I think it's about 7 times.

2. What subject would you study if you had a year to devote to it?Photography

3. What in this world breaks your heart?
Violence against children. (DH)

4. What is one item that symbolizes the times in which we live? Why?
The federal deficit because it illustrates the desire to live beyond our means. (DH)

5. Share a favorite bumper sticker or t-shirt slogan.
Support our troops.(DH)

6. How do you like your spaghetti?
With spaghetti sauce and parmesan cheese. (DH said al dente)

7. What is one piece of advice you would give a recent, or soon to be recent, graduate?
You never have to apologize for what you don't say. Think before you speak.(DH)

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I had something for this on my mind but can't remember. My brain must be on vacation. I did buy myself Jane Fonda Walk Out w/2 low impact routines. I'm excited to try it!

THE DAY AFTER THE DAY, AFTER THE DAY ....

So today (Monday) is the day after the day (Mother's Day), after the day (Celebration Saturday), after the day (Skye's haircut)! Got that? I don't normally post on Mondays but I have too much to say, plus pictures, to do on Post It Note Tuesday.

So on Saturday we went to Los Angeles late in the day (after Amber got off work) to visit with Adam & Tristen to celebrate Mother's Day and Amber's upcoming birthday on the 18th. Originally we were just going down to celebrate Mother's Day and go to one of my favorite restaurants called Westside Tavern. Then we realized that because of other things going on over the next few weeks that this would also be the best time to celebrate Amber's 30th Birthday!

One day during the week she said to me "since we are also celebrating my birthday can't we go to the Pink Taco so I can have their fried ice cream for my dessert." I said no but deep down I knew that her 30th was more important then Mother's Day. So I changed the plans and we went to the Pink Taco but Amber didn't know that until we got there. She was thrilled!!! We enjoyed a lovely dinner there. The restaurant is in the Century City Mall so we also did some shopping after dinner which you will see in the other pictures. That is Amber wearing her brother Adam's horse head which he needs for a run next weekend. Those are our Mother's Day and birthday gifts. Also you see that duck made from a banana and pineapple? Well that was on the buffet table in a room that was set up for a party later that evening. The party was for the writer of the new movie Thor, so there is some celebrity info for you.

Here are my gifts. I got a Hallmark gift card from Skye and a Juice It Up gift card from Charlie. I also got Water for Elephants, Tangled and flowers from the kids. Mark bought me PJ's and a Ralph Lauren robe. Don't you just love getting gifts? (I do)

I just couldn't resist this tiny yellow Kalanchoe plant last week. (in order from left to right) See the cart. My grandmas had one of this, she would walk to 26th & Pulaski in Chicago to buy groceries with her cart. I've been telling Mark that I want one to take the laundry to the laundry room. I know it sounds crazy but our laundry room is the furthest away from our bedroom and I get winded carrying loads in my arms. So we found this Saturday evening at The Container Store in Los Angeles. Also found the around the neck money/I.D. holder there and I will use it for my trip. (mostly under my clothes and hidden) Next are the flowers Amber and I received. Next is an anthurium in lava rock which I received from Marite' on my bowling team for Mother's Day. Next is a clock Adam & Tristen bought, isn't it cute on their shelves? Two rings that Amber thought were cute and it was a special buy one/get one from one of those little stands as you walk around the mall. I have a hard time saying no!

So after several years in the sun and smog of Southern California it was time to buy new cushions for our patio furniture. They didn't have a matching umbrella but I think the solid brown looks great.

And of course you always enjoy seeing Skye. Well as you can see from the before picture she was in need of a haircut. So I took her in on Friday. I decided to get her cut a little shorter then I normally do because she is thickly coated and get shaggy quickly. I think she looks great. Had to go with a new girl (our girl left) and I was stressed but I think she did a great job!

So there you have it, the day after the day, after the day, after the day! So on the day, Mother's Day, I read my emails, cleared my reader and spent the rest of the day watching some shows I taped. Julia Roberts special on OWN, There Weeks, Three Kids on the Hallmark channel and The Back Up Plan on Showtime along with my new Tangled DVD! (did some laundry too!)

Hope you all have a wonderful week!

So if this post looks weird or spaced wrong it's because my issues with blogger have not corrected themselves and after a very long time trying to get it right it still has a mind of its own.