Weight Watchers UPDATE!

I have officially lost 24.8 lbs since I started Weight Watchers! I'm starting to feel so much better. Weight Watchers is truly the way to go. It's a great plan with informative meetings.

Two Things.

Thing 1: I'm a BIG Girl. I have been heavy most of my life. I have gone on many diets-some have worked & some have not. I'm realizing it's not about dieting. It's simply a matter of a lifestyle change. I have decided to join Weight Watchers next week. Tuesday, May 5th will be the greatest day of my life. I'm actually looking forward to Weight Watchers. WW's HERE I COME! I hope to lose 50 lbs by September. Of course, I'm more than just 50 lbs overweight, but starting out with a reachable smaller goal always works best for me.

Thing 2: I want to change the title of my blog. I'm over "The Boring Life of a Single Woman". Do you have any suggestions on a new name?

Hair Decisions!

Should I cut the hair? I ask myself this question several times over the last few months. I love my hair both long and short. Summer is fast approaching...and I love a great, cute short summer cut. The downfall to a summer cut is that I can not longer pull it up in a ponytail.

I'm at a point where I like my hair. If you would have asked me 2 to 3 weeks ago, I would have said I hated the stage it was at. I will admit I have beautiful hair...It's one of my amazing qualities (so very humble!).

I keep thinking of growing it longer to donate it. I will need to research on which non-profit company I actually donate my hair too. Have you ever donated your hair? If so, what non-profit did you send the hair too?

Las Vegas Wedding: Part II

Tina and Allen

PawPaw and I
Allen and Tina

My Dad and Tina walking down the aisle.

My Dad

Tina's Las Vegas Wedding: Part I

My Mom and Tina

Mom, Tina and I
PawPaw and I
My Silly Dad and I

My Sweet Parents

The B I G 35!

On Feb. 18th, I turned 35. I have been asked several times how does it feel to be 35. Honestly, it feels like I am really still in my 20's, only wiser, fatter, and a little better financially! ;)

My Parents and PawPaw came to Dallas to visit me for my Birthday. They drove in on Wednesday and left on Monday morning. We all had a really great time together. My PawPaw and Dad were completely done with us due to the fact my Mom and I shopped until they almost dropped. My birthday week could not have been better. My family and friends surprised me with a wonderful dinner and fabulous gifts.

My family and I went to see two movies last week. We saw Hotel for Dogs and Madea Goes to Jail. Hotel for Dogs was a great movie. If you have kids, take them to see this movie. They will love it. Madea Goes to Jail was an amazing, heart-warming and laughable movie. Tyler Perry is a very talented man. He was born in New Orleans....that makes him good people. If you LOVE Tyler Perry, then please go see Madea Goes to Jail.

Home Decor Junkie

Last year, I purchased a new comforter set right before I moved in July. Since moving, I have completely unpacked & decorated all aspects of my new home with the exception of my bedroom. In my bedroom, I still had all the old decor up that matched my old comforter. It was all very pretty stuff, but it simply did not match. The time came where I wanted new bedroom decor. The hunt for new decor began about 2 months ago.

Hobby Lobby, Kirkland's, Ross, TJ Maxx, and Marshall's have been my new addiction. Hobby Lobby and Kirkland's being my absolute favorite. My addiction has gotten so bad that I actually can predict when what decor goes on sales at Hobby Lobby per week. It's getting pretty scary. The only thing I still want to complete the bedroom is wall art. I think I found exactly what I am looking for at Hobby Lobby (of course!). My 35th birthday is next week (WOW....turning 35 kinda freaks me out). So, I'm waiting until next week when they are on sale for 50% off and when I get birthday money.

Since my bedroom is about 95% complete, I have started shopping a little for the kitchen. I want to add a few pieces. I have already purchased a couple pieces, but I need a few more things to complete the new kitchen look.

What stores do you like to shop for home decor?

A Date.

John and I have talked as friends via the internet for about 4 years. Two weeks ago, John called and asked if I would actually like to go to lunch. I jumped at the chance. I was so excited to finally meet him.

He cancelled the 1st date we had set. He said his Mother went into the hospital. If he was telling the truth, I completely understand. Mothers are good people & should always be taken care of. So, we rescheduled the date for yesterday.

I was not nervous or excited to meet another man off the internet. After many dates, I have low expectations. My thought is if we hit if off GREAT, and if not it's OKAY. I showed up at 11:30a for lunch at a local deli. We introduced ourselves and that was the highlight of the date.

While waiting in line, he was talking to my chest. I told him my eyes were not down there, but up here. He looked un-kept/un-clean. He was missing many teeth. His table manners were worst than I have ever seen before in a grown man. He had food all over his face & hands. He could not even properly hold his fork. While we were eating, he started talking to my chest again. Again, I told him my eyes were up here & not down there. After we finished eating, he had food all over his finger nails & hands. He simply shrugged his shoulders like it did not matter.

The complete deal breaker was this: He was a child from this 1st marriage. He only sees him every other weekend, but has the option to see him more. John simply does not want too spend more time with his child. After I heard this, I called the date to an end & ran to my car.

I am child of divorce. I barely remember my Mom & Bio-Father being together. However, I longed for a relationship with my bio-father. Until my Mom married my Step/Adopted Dad, I never knew what a true Dad was like. Praise God for my Adopted Daddy.

I guess the saying is true: A woman must kiss many frogs before she finds her Prince. Thank goodness I did not kiss this frog.

Slumber Party Time!

I am the proud Social Director of my Sorority this year. We have a social event monthly. I am hosting a Slumber Party this Saturday. I am really looking forward to having my friends over. We are going to eat food, drink adult beverages, play games, and watch movies! Do you want to join us?

What are made your slumber parties memorable?

Disney-Nov. 2008: Part I

THE Coffee Pot everyone should have.

Hamilton Beach has invented an incredible coffee pot. The flavor of the coffee is so much richer & bolder in this pot than any other I have used. It's a one-hand dispensing with no carafe, no pouring and no spills. In other words, the coffee does not sit in a carafe waiting to get burned. Ladies & Gents, burned coffee is the worst thing. Yuk! Also, this pot has a 2 hour shut off switch. If you are anything like me, it's one of the best features on this coffee pot. Here's what you need to do: Leave immediately, drive to your nearest Target or Walmart to buy fabulous pot! Happy Coffee Drinking!

Christ has shined again.

Please go to this link to read this story behind this picture: http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?section=magazine&id=3789373

1 4 3

For the past 4 days, I have had dinner at my friend, Karla's house. The food has been good. The company was so wonderful. Wii Bowling has been great! I want a Wii now just to play bowling at home.

Karla & Kenny have 4 small kids and 1 teenager. Karla was blessed with 2 sets of twins. Kirsten & Kaden are 6. Abigail and Allison are 3. Stephanie will be 16 next month. Sweet Sixteen..WOW! Their home is absolutely filled with blessed chaos constantly. Right now, all the kids are at such an amazing stage of development. I love watching them grow.

Abigail and Allison's speech is just exploding right now. I love having conversations with them. Allison has even told she put me on the "naughty" list a couple of times. I was quite impressed she actually knew I needed to be on the naughty list! Lately, when it's time for Aunt BlueEyes to go home, Allie & Abby tell me they love me. The first time I heard this my heart almost burst. Last night, I was telling Allie Good Night & she said it very loud. At that very moment, I would have done anything for that child! Anything. Kirsten wanted to sit by me at dinner a couple of times this week. I silently thanked God for such an amazing child.

It's a blessing from Christ that a child can love so unconditionally. Well, until you are put back on the naughty list.

Red Head Moment # 1031

It always amazes me when I have a red head moment (and yes, it's my version of a blonde moment). After taking the dogs outside, I tried to unlock my front door. It simply would not unlock. I started to get a little nervous. Out of frustration, I looked down at my hand to see what I was actually doing. I noticed I tried to unlock my front door with my car remote. DUH! No wonder it was unlocking! Only I would do something like this. Maybe I should just die my hair blonde....What do you think?

Disney, Being a Sickie, Christmas ALREADY & the NEW YEAR!!

My family and I went to Disney World for Thanksgiving. It was truly a magical trip. I went to Epcot, Hollywood Studio's, and Magic Kingdom. My favorite park was Magic Kingdom. I was amazed how ALL the staff were so incredible, kind, and catered to our every need. The time spent at Disney was wonderful. I'm ready to go back.

For the last two weeks, I have been sick. Of course, I did not go to the doctor right away...So, I've felt good one day and then the next felt horrible. I did not have a good's night rest for a solid week due to my ole' lady cough! . My friend, Karla, gave me Nyquil. I have slept like a baby since. I finally went to the Doctor on Wednesday. I was diagnosed with Bronchitis. Fun Times! I'm feeling better, but am definitely ready for a nap.

Today is December 19th. 6 Days until Christmas. I was finished my Christmas shopping last week. It was gift cards for everyone this year (very quick and easy). 2008 has flown by so quickly.

What's your plan for New Year's Eve? I'm working late & going to a friends house. I plan to have a smashing great time!

Pain in the Congo

In this Nov. 6, 2008 file photo, Protegee carries her niece, Response, left, as she looks for her parents in the village Kiwanja, 90 kms north of Goma, eastern Congo. When photographed on Nov. 6, Protegee was in a crowd of thousands in the town of Kiwanja, having walked for three days by herself after being separated from her mother as they fled on foot from her town about 12 miles (20 kilometers) away. Protegee finally found her mother, Esperance Nirakagori, in Kiwanja at a makeshift refugee camp six days after they were separated.

Please click on the link below for the rest of the story: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081118/ap_on_re_af/congo_girls_in_the_photo_1


The picture above breaks my heart. Hundreds of children in the Congo are separated from their families. Can you imagine being separated from your children & not knowing where they are? I have not been blessed with children yet, but even the thought of not knowing where these children are puts completely fear in me.

Heavenly Father, Please protect & guide these children. Bless them as they find their way to their families. Give peace & comfort to their families during this difficult time. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Thankful for....

I am Thankful for.....

God

my comfy bed

my 2 sweet pups

loving Parents

my new fleur de lis tee-shirt (it's really CUTE)

my Pokeno Group

gas prices decreasing

my job

Christian Friends

Coffee (without coffee you would not want to be around me in the morning)

my car

my home

working out

cooler weather

the NEW Chuy's in Plano (YUM!)

Ross, TJ Maxx, Marshall's, Home Goods

the Holiday Season

my Secret Sisters (I have 2)

my love of cooking

Jesus Christ

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL.

On Friday night, I went to my 1st High School Football Game since I graduated high school. In high school, I went to about 20 games my entire career as a student. Games were not really my "thing" back then. I graduated 16 years ago in a small city in Louisiana. Simply saying Football is HUGE in my hometown is an understatement.....FOOTBALL. IS. HUGE. GO LIONS!

Before I moved to the East side of town, I lived on the West side of town. Living on the West side of town, I never experienced any footballness! Since I have moved to the East side of town, it seems the football stadium is my back yard. During games, I always hear the band and fans! The band ROCKS. My Niece, Stephanie, is a Color Guard. I was the proud little Aunt watching Steph throw her flag up in the air!

The High School Team I was shouting for won the game. The game was good. The excitement was wonderful. I was fast asleep on the sofa at 11:15pm. Sixteen years make a huge difference......In high school, I would have been too hyper from the game to go to bed so "early" at 11:15pm. Now, I'm old. I was praying for sleep before I left the excitement of the game.

I'm the Pet Parent.

When I go on vacation (and I can not take my dogs), I start to stress out. I usually start planning months and months in advance on what boarding place my Girls will stay. The last time I boarded was in March 2008. It was a HORRIBLE experience. Phoebe was extremely sick, and they were both covered in their own nastiness.
My friend, Karla, would keep Abby when it was just Abby, but now that I have Phoebe and Karla had her 2nd set of twins (her name in my blog roll is Superwoman). It's way too much for Karla to keep with her family and then my 2 dogs. My friends Deb and Robert normally would keep them when it's a weekend trip. During Thanksgiving, I am going on vacation and I can not take my dogs. I have been stressing since my last Thanksgiving vacation over this year's vacation. I. know. it's. very. SAD!
I have a co-worker who just starting her pet in-home dog sitting service. Abby and Phoebe are her first clients. The girls and I are planning on visiting this coming weekend to see how her dog and my girls do. More than likely, everything will go good. I'm praying.

When you board your pets, where do you board them?

Gumbo Cooking Weather.

I can not believe 2008 is almost over. 2009 is knocking on our door. It seem like yesterday was Jan. 1, 2008. Since I live in Texas, the weather is so unpredictable. I'm ready for a true cold winter. I want to wear sweaters, socks, and my coats! I want to make hearty wintry foods! I want to NOT have to turn on the air conditioner in November.

On Saturday, I went to my friends, Michelle and Don's, house. I made gumbo for the first time in 2 years. It was pretty warm outside, but we planned a gumbo making day weeks ago. The gumbo was pretty amazing (except Michelle did not want okra in the gumbo---imagine gumbo without okra?!). The gumbo did not have okrain it, but it was still very good. I'm not a typical Cajun. I make my roux after I have sauteed all the veggies/meat....and then I add the finished roux mixed with broth to the both with the veggies and meat. I have tried making the roux and then adding all the other ingredients but I ALWAYS burn the roux when I do it this way. The smell of burned roux makes me queasy. So, I continue to make gumbo "backwards".

What's some of your favorite wintry foods?