Sunday afternoon and i am chillin!!! We did not get to church this morning (which i am now regretting) but we did go to Chinese for dinner. You will not believe this but...we were able to get Reggie to (ok i am ashamed to say this...) get the white tree down in the living room! I know!!! To still have our Christmas Tree up in March!! Ouch!! This should tell me how fast time flies by!!! It seems like New Years was yesterday adn then sickness hit the home and BOOM! March! Well....Reggie felt it was time (he dit not want to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a Christmas Tree in the house (who can blame him??). So...I am excited to get on with life (without the tree!!). teeehehehe..i can hear him huffing and puffing to get this done and meanwhile...i am relaxing and...

i am watching thE FOOD NETWORK CHANNEL as well as my DVR shows of General Hospital. It is great!! I get to watch one while the other is in commercial! Love it!! I am watching some fun shows revolving around cakes!!! Wow!!! These people are incredible and the work they are able to do it phenomenal!! I would love to have a toenail of their cake decorating talent!! Just a toenail!!!

and WOW!!!! General Hospital is too good! I am watching the episode where Sam and Elizabeth are in the car on the bridge!!!Tense stuff!!!! Ohhhh...why didn't Elizabeth hit him in the head just to make sure he was out!?? Now he is back!!! Scary!!!

O.K. time for me to check on hunny bunny and the tree and see what happens to Sam and who wins the Dr. Seuss cake contest. smile

Change...
I know this is the month of change and with only 8 into this month I do not feel like I am changing. I know one can say it is only 8 days, give it time...but...if not now when??? Is change something that happens overnight? Is it something that is a process? Well, for me it is something that should happen NOW!! not tomorrow, not next week, not next year...NOW!!!
I know...I need to back off and let things happen. Be open to change. Be willing to change. I know change is a process and it takes so much time. When I look back at major changes that have occurred in my life I know they took time. In fact in almost every case the change occurred when I was not looking. It happened when I least expected it. Those changes were the ones that have "stuck", they have been "real" and yes...life changing.
I want those kind of changes in 2008. *sighy* well...i guess i need to be patient and believe the changes will happen. I also need to keep going forward (have you ever notices how easy it is to want to stop or change roads when something is not going as you want it to?) on my 2008 journey. Go forward and keep working at the changes I want to happen. Go forward and see what the next turn hold for me.

"If we don't change direction soon, we'll end up where we are going" ...Professor Irwin Corey

random thoughts on a Sunday...

1/ when am i going to learn to keep my mouth shut??? why must i always be the one to make a comment...why of why don't they make lip glue???
2/ where did the first 5 days of January go? This is sick how fast 2008 is going! SICK!!!
3/ why do i have to go to training for 3 weeks? why?
4/ who is going to do the dishes? now me...i have one day off this week and i am not doing the dishes! NOT!!!!
5/ Did my cousin get her flowers for her birthday? she did not call and the week got away from me so i should follow up...
6/ is it proper to follow up on flowers? what if she did not get them? can you ask a flower shop for a refund????
7/ when is Chinese News Years?
8/ *sigh* Who is going to win today and why did the Bronco's have to blow it?
9/ my breakfast was yummy this morning...McDonalds (sausage bagel and coke!!)
10/ darn it!! i missed the last shows of America's Top Model...i wish i had had enough DVR space to record the shows they had on for 4 straight days!!! That show is addictive!!!!
11/ one day off...should i sleep or "OWN MY DAY"...it is going to be a looong week so maybe i need to own my sleepy dreams today!!
12/ Gigi needs a book so I need to make sure I get her to the store today.
13/ I am still feeling the "yuckies"...when will they end???
14/ I have to cut my hair.....

Yesterday while me and the girls were out visiting (on of my changes for 2008!) my baby girl Boo informed us if a dilemma one of her friends is in. She has been dating this boy since high school (4+ years) and she is bored! She is thinking of getting out. She wants a relationship were the "newness" is there. teeehehehehehe! My first response to Boo was "Well, she will be involved in lots of relationships if that is all she is looking for!". (Ok...not such a great answer now that I look back) I tried to tell Boo about relationships and time and yes..boredom (please be honest... every day in a relationship is not roses and candlelight and hot sweaty love!!!). I backed off real fast! I became silent and was thinking...what do you tell someone that young? In my opinion they are young and should not be in "serious" relationships. They should date and have fun (no sex!!!). They should discover what they like in boys/men and learn about what they want in a relationship. 20 years old!!! Live and enjoy some of what life has to offer (no sex!). So I remained silent about that and spoke to her about how her friend needs to go slow and yes, discover what she wants from a relationship and yes it is ok to back off. Their sooo young and have so much time ahead of them! Enjoy (but no sex!!).


Well, this got me thinking about relationships and "newness". "Out of the mouth of babes", Boo's friend is so right in wanting the newness to be there always! I would love for that to be in my relationship. Unfortunately LIFE happens and it starts taking over and the next thing you know you are wondering where the excitement went? The adventure? The Passion??? Life does come on so strong and is so demanding at times you have no choice but to pay 100% of you attention to it or crap happens! It's true. And guess what...you start paying attention to one or two things so much and the other things in life get forgotten and neglected (marriage, self, passions...). WHEW!!! Life is fascinating and so incredible but there are times...times when it can be overwhelming! I think that is where I am in my relationships right now. They (i use a plural because it is not only 1 relationship, there are many) are at places where they need to be tended to, nurtured, loved and cared for. They need my attention and I believe I am at a place where I can do these things. It will not be hard and I know every time I want to do care for a certain relationship I will need to "OWN" it. I am excited about these relationships and I am excited about seeing them "grow". It will be interesting to see how they turn out when the year is over. Hmmmm...do you think I will be surrounded my lots of "newness"????


Today....Boo is performing (opening) at the Denver Nuggets game tonight. She is soooo excited and we are sooo excited for her!!!!

Yesterday....I OWNED my day!!! We went to visit my Grandma G and Aunt Virgie. I also sent flowers to my cousin Shannon for her birthday!!! And to think I wanted to go stay home (after my tests) and sleep.....teeeehehehehe. Good for me!!!!

wow! I had to get up early this morning (on my day off!!) to go into work and take some test (knowledge about our trouble shooting and equipment skills). Wow! What a way to start the new year...feeling stupid! Yes, I said it! For a few minutes, at the beginning of the 1st test, I felt stupid! Man so I hate that feeling. And to be honest I have not felt like that in years and years! I could feel myself becoming insecure and ugly! Well, I had to stop it and stop it quick! I stopped for a minute and went over the test and then I assessed the test and myself. I reminded myself that I have never been "officially" trained on any of this. I went onto my current job and my training was "on the job". I then started to breathe and think..should I mark something down or be honest and not answer if I do not know the answer. Well, since this was an assessment test (to see what I knew) I decided to be honest and not answer if I did not know (why guess and if I get it right I would not even know it!!! what good would that do me in needing to learn what I don't know). So, I answered what I knew (not much) and did not answer what I did not know (lots). Looking back I am glad I did it the way I did. I feel good about being honest about my knowledge in these areas. I also feel excited because we will be training in these areas and when the training is done I will be able to answer those questions I was unable to this morning!! Wahoo!!! I love learning and knowledge (and this is one the areas of change I want in 2008). I also feel this helped me to NOT feel stupid. I was able to assess the situation, throw away my stress and react only after I thought about it!!! I actually feel powerful because of this! Not a bad way to start my first "work" day of 2008!!

I have the morning off so I need to run some errands (including getting my cousin something for her birthday and paying some bills off!!). I am taking the girls with me so they can visit Grandma G and Auntie Virgie. OK...that is the plan...now I just need to OWN THIS DAY and so it!!!! teeehehehehe

FUN THOUGHTS FOR 2008...

One habit you'd like to break totally: Drinking so much coke!!! I am a cokeaholic and I need help!!!
One person you'd like to get to know better: This sounds so odd but there are several family members I would like to get to know better this year. I am an introvert at heart so I don't "reach" out like I should. Hopefully 2008 will change that!
One random act of kindness that you'd like to make a habit this year: I hope to "interact" more...call, have people over, send a card or email...
Something that you'd like to own by the end of 2008: A wide angle lense (big money!!). It would be awesome when we travel!!!!
Something that you'd like to get rid of by the end of 2008: DEPT!!!! I would also like to get rid of some "issues" I have been lugging around.
One change you'd like to see in your life in 2008: More organized with my home, life, work...
One thing you'd like to memorize in 2008: Work related...technical steps
Something that you'd like to improve on: Wow!!! I wold love to improve my people skills. People are important to me and I want to know how to relate better. This includes reaching out more.
Something you'd like to learn in 2008: Knitting (i know but one year i will!!) and beading.
Something you're looking forward to this year: My baby girl's school year. I a not sure how it will end but I am looking forward to her working her way through it and seeing the results and...she turns 18 this year and my other baby girl turns 21!!!
One thing you're going to make sure does NOT happen in 2008: I will not give up on myself and those around me!!!
Will you try to eat healthier?: Hmmmm..I can always TRY!!! tehehehehe...
Will you take up some form of exercise?: YES!!!!! That is one of my changes this year!
Will you try to improve your financial situation?: That is one of my wishes this year and I am currently working on it so...YES!
Will there be any lifelong goals you'll try to accomplish?: Lifelong? Hmmmmm...maybe one or two...time will tell...
Will you move to a new place?: In the past I would have said no...but if the opportunity came up for me and mine I think I would!
What new things will you try for fun and adventure?: OWN EACH DAY AND CELEBRATE EVERYDAY LIFE!!!!!
Will you try a new look?: Yes...I am ready and in the mood!!!
Will you try to eat something you've never had before?: Yes...I think I am going to try lamb this year!!!
Will you be getting any tattoo's?: *sighy* One day but I am not sure about this year!!!
Will you be getting any piercings: again...*sighy*
Will you try a new hairstyle or color?: YES!!!!!
Will there be any charities you'll be active in?: I would like to volunteer this year but am unsure if I will....again...time will tell on this one...
Top 5 Places to go in 08: Las Vegas, a weekend trip to the mountains, Waterworld, road trip and the Denver Mint!
Top 5 Things to do in 08: OWN EACH DAY! Love more! Laugh more! Create More! Appreciate more!
Top 5 Ways to improve yourself in 08:Focus on ME a little more! Exercise more! Seek God more! Slow down and enjoy life more! Focus on relationships more.
One new years wish to make your 08 truly happy: That my family and friends will be healthy and blessed this year!

This was fun to try and I can't wait to see how it all turns out! I found the questions here...

I saw these questions here and thought they were awesome so I decided to answer them!! Boy, did they make me think!

* What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before? I visited Chicago and fell in love!!!
* Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I was able to scrap more and I did take way more pictures (thousands!!) in 2008. I am planning some changes this year!
* Did anyone close to you give birth? No.
* Did anyone close to you die? Yes, this was a very sad year. My Aunt Bea passed away this Autumn and her husband passed this Summer. She was loved and will be missed!
* What countries did you visit? Does Kansas count? teeehehehe. Not this year.
* What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007? More time! If we could slow everything down this year and enjoy life I would be soooo happy!!!
* What date from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? I don't remember dates real well...but one memory will be when we had to say good bye to my Aunt. It was a very sorrowful time.
*What was your biggest achievement of the year? Keeping my sanity! I know that sounds funny but it is true! This year has been a HUGE challenge and there were some real stressful times and the Lord pulled me through!
*What was your biggest failure? Not getting to church more and involved more. I would have loved to have done both more and hope to work on that in 2008.
*Did you suffer illness or injury?! Something happened to my knee in July and it is still acting up. I also had my very first mammogram and we have had to do 2 follow ups.
*What was the best thing you bought? My REBEL DIGITAL CAMERA!!!!
* Whose behavior merited celebration? My hunny bunny...he has gone through some major life changes and still manages to keep a positive outlook on life! Love him for that!
*Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Who am I to judge???
*Where did most of your money go? Credit Card bills and scrapbooking stuff (shame on me!!!). I am putting myself on a financial diet in 2008 so I am hoping this answer will be way different next year!
* What did you get really, really, really excited about? Our trip to the Mid-West and blogging!!!
* What song will always remind you of 2007? I know this is silly but "Stay" by Sugarland. Awesome song and awesome video. I also will remember Fergie's "Big Girls Don't Cry".
*Compared to this time last year, are you: much happier, richer, nicer. That is easy! I believe I am a much nicer! I really do try to smile more, talk more and not be so distant. I think it is working.
*What do you wish you'd done more of? Spent more time with my family (Aunts, Uncles, cousins...)t
*What do you wish you'd done less of? Stress out. It not good for me and is a waste of time!
* How did you spend Christmas? With my parents, in-laws and hunny bunny and the girls!
* Did you fall in love in 2007? Yes! With Chicago and the BORG!
*What was your favorite TV program? Wow! That is a crazy one! I love reality shows (yes we even watch KIDNATION!), HEROES, Shark, CSI (regular and Miami), Gossip Girl, The Unit, Ghost Whispers and so on....
*Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? Hate? No!
*What was the best book you read this year? Ouch! I read to many of them to pick just one. I continue to love anything written by Christine Freehan (yummy books).
* What was your greatest musical discovery? SugarLand and Fergie
* What did you want and get? My digital camera and my vacation! Loved the vacation and I love love love my camera!!
* What was your favorite film of this year? Hmmmm...I would have to say Transformers! Awesome movie. Also loved HairSpray!
* What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? Spent the day with my family and I am...well if I told you I would have to kill you!!!
*What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Spending more time with my family!
*How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007? It kills me to say this but...natural(no make-up, no nails!!)! Nothing fancy and lots of jeans!
*What kept you sane? JESUS!!! I am not sure where I would have been without him!
* Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Hmmmm...do the Borg count???
*What political issue stirred you the most? The negative talk and disrespect given to President Bush concerning ANYTHING and EVERYTHING he does and is doing!
* Who did you miss? some close friends we use to have several years ago. I miss the closeness and fellowship we shared.
* Who was the best new person (people) you met? I am still working on "branching" out so ask me this next year...
*Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007. Life is short and it flies by so fast. Slow down and enjoy your family and friends! Celebrate Life! Live Love and Laugh everday and include others when you are doing these things! That's what will make the journey fun...sharing it with othere! Focus on the people that matter and love them! And take lots of pictures!!!

2008 changes....ok, i know they are usually referred to as RESOLUTIONS, however, I tend to be excited about resolutions for a month or so and then i am not. Well...i think this is going to be another year that will revolve around change so....i am going to dedicate myself to CHANGES!!! Things i want to make different, areas that need improvement, traveling roads that have not been traveled...things like that!!! So here they go (they are not in any particular order...)...


* Creativity....I so want to learn some new things this year (jewelry, book binding, conquer knitting, card making, gardening, cooking). I want to "expand" my creative world in 2008! I would love to do 1 new thing every month!!!

* ME!!!!...I know this sounds funny but I really need to spend time on me! I have noticed in 2007 that I have let myself go. I no longer have nails, I don't wear make-up, I have not done anything to my hair in months and I rarely "dress-up" anymore. I also want to focus on things that will make me feel better about myself (this is foreign to me since I always put my family first). I think my family and friends will benefit from this as much as I will!!!

* HEALTH...I need to focus on my health. One of the first things will be getting a physical (yucko!!). I also need to work on my weight and get it down (it will help my knee and me!!!). Drinking more water, walking more, eating healthier are things I would like to do more of in 2008.

* FAMILY and FRIENDS...I want to do more things with my family this year. Send cards, visit, email and have them over. I have isolated myself and this year I would like to change that!! Family is so important and I want to enjoy the family and friends I have been blessed with!!

* SPIRITUAL...Wow!! This is going to be a hard area to change. I am going to need God to assist me in this area. I know I need to grow in my faith and become more involved in our church.

* CELEBRATE...I want to celebrate life and 2008! There is so much to celebrate and I want to do this!!! Holidays, birthdays and LIFE!!!

* PAY IT FORWARD...I feel like there is so much good in my life and I want to be able to pass that on to others. I want to make others feel good and loved! I would also like to see about volunteering in 2008 (I have been wanting to do this for years so who knows...).

* SCRAPBOOKING...I would like to complete 208 pages this year, 10 projects and 6 "incomplete" projects. I want to spend more time scrapbooking and catching up on some older projects (that would be great!!). I also want to do more challenges this year (they really do challenge me and help me complete pages!!).

* ORGANIZATION...I know, one of the weak weak points in my life! There is so much of my life and home that would benefit if I became more organized! I want to work on this and have a "monthly project". If I succeed I will have organized 12 "things" this year!!! WOW!!

* FINANCIAL...I am doing it!! I am going to go on a financial diet!!! I am paying off all my credit cards and then I am going to start saving and watching my money. We are planning two trips this year and i would love to purchase a new TV and living room set (2009)! Paying cash for all of these things will be my goal!!! I feel I am ready to start saving and am excited about this one! I know it will be hard because I am putting myself on a budget (Uuuuuugggghhhhhhh!!!). So wish me success!!!

* Marriage...I want to focus on my marriage this year. I think I take it for granted and everyone knows that is never good for any relationship! I want to nurture it and hopefully watch it grow in 2008. I have some ideas and am looking forward to bringing them to reality.

...so these are the areas I want to work on in 2008! I am going to be busy and I think it is going to be a fun and challenging year!!

hibernate time......zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

i don't know if it was the weather or the fact that my body was so worn out, but either way, i did some hibernating these past few days! And guess what i loved it!!!Yesterday I got up early and did some "Borg" watching and then took a nap (around 11:00 a.m.) and i did not wake up until 6:00 p.m.! It was soooo wonderful to just sleep and not feel guilty! (i have this thing about feeling to guilty when i sleep to much...i feel like i am cheating myself out of something...) Anyway! I did not allow myself to feel any guilt. The day before I also took a real looooooong nap in the middle of the day and I loved it!!!! it felt so good to be able to say...forget the after Christmas shopping, forget making dinner, forget visiting people to give gifts....FORGET and HIBERNATE!!! Go to sleep and regenerate, the world will be there when you wake up, life will still be waiting to be lived and no one is going to give you the "you are so lazy" look (i told you i had issues about sleeping in the day!!!). *sighy* It was me, my bed and some real warm covers!!! I LOVED IT! I think this is a great way to get ready for the new year...rested and ready to go!!!! I have often envied the trees and animals who were allowed to sleep during the winter. No concerns, no issues (the bears got so fat they do not have to worry about eating during this time!! and the trees know they will bloom again in the spring, most times more beautiful than when they went to sleep!). Yes, what would it be like to hibernate? Well, i think i was able to do some hibernating and i hope to do some more in the future (trust me you need to try it...take a few days and do nothing!! just relax and sleep. it is amazing how awesome you will feel when you "wake" up!!...trust me...teeehehehehe).

My hibernation got me thinking about the benefits of sleep and i was able to find some good stuff (tesh.com)...

Are You Getting Enough Sleep?

Probably not! We’ve said many times on this show that North Americans get too little sleep. A new study in the Journal of Clinical Medicine found that most people tend to overestimate how much sleep they actually get. Which means, we’re actually getting about an hour less sleep than we think! The study included over 2,100 volunteers, who were not ill or suffering from sleep problems. Unlike previous studies, participants slept at home in their own bed.

According to ABC News, the study volunteers believed they were sleeping about seven hours a night. When they were hooked up to a machine that tested how much they actually slept, it was closer to six hours. Studies show that too little sleep hurts your mental focus, and ability to function day-to-day. It also lowers your metabolism, making you more likely to be overweight, and increases your risk for heart attack and stroke. So, how can you get your full eight hours of sleep?

• Don’t exercise vigorously within two hours of bedtime. Your body needs to relax to fall asleep, and exercise can get you too pumped up.
• Don't go to bed hungry, or it’ll be harder falling asleep, but don’t eat a heavy meal before bed either. Lying down on a full stomach can push stomach acid up into your esophagus, causing acid reflux and interrupting your sleep.
• Don’t take a hot bath within an hour of turning in. A study at Stanford University found that a hot bath delays a natural drop in your body's core temperature, and postpones the release of sleep-inducing hormones. So, take your bath at least two hours before bed.
• Move all the noise-making, light-emitting gadgets OUT of your bedroom. That includes TVs, computers, cell phones, videogame consoles, and clocks with bright LED lights. Studies show that lights in the bedroom mess with your internal clock, making your body think it’s daytime – and time to be awake.

Benefits of Getting a Good Night's Sleep

Go to bed! If that doesn't convince you to do it, maybe this will. Here are the benefits of getting a good night’s sleep, courtesy of Reader’s Digest.

• Sleep makes you healthier. Sleep duration has declined from a median of eight hours in the 1950’s to seven hours in recent years. At the same time, high blood pressure has become an increasing problem. Coincidence? I think not. That’s because your blood pressure and heart rate are typically at their lowest levels during sleep. So it would make sense that people who sleep LESS tend to have higher blood pressure. Considering that high blood pressure gives you a fourfold increase in the chance of heart attack or stroke, it’s not something you want to develop. Sleeping better can also help you fight off illness. That’s because when you’re sleep-deprived, you tend to have higher levels of stress hormones in your body, along with an increase in inflammation, and both of these can decrease your immune function.
• Sleep makes you calmer. People who don’t get enough sleep usually have higher levels of stress hormones, and this puts your body in a hyper-awake state that can make falling asleep difficult. If you can’t sleep, you get even more stressed which makes it even tougher for you to fall asleep. Basically, you get stuck in cycle that leaves you feeling stressed out and exhausted.
• Sleep makes you look better! Growth hormones are essential to keeping us looking good as we get older. According to Dr. Mehmet Oz, co-author of the You health books, levels of growth hormones start dropping after age 20. Since growth hormones help you look good, you want them to stick around as long as possible, and Dr. Oz says the best way to keep your growth hormones as high as possible is to sleep.

so go ahead....find some time to hibernate this winter!!!!!

wow!!! i did it...i had my first girls Christmas cookie exchange!!! it's over and it went really well (ok...my family says great but i am not real sure what great it for this type of event so....). Anyway, the stress is over, the anxiety put away and i can go forward. Isn't it amazing how freaky things can go when you step outside your comfort zone!! When you decide to do something and know it can flop but do it anyway!? When you leap and on the way down say...this is new territory so i guess i'll "wing it" on the way down!!! Yes, it is scary but somewhere on the way down it becomes exciting and fun! There comes a moment when you say "wow" did i really do this, did i really step off edge, decide to "go for it", LEAP????? and some small voice inside you answers, with wonder..."yes!!!". So what does a cookie exchange have to do with leaping? well...everything!!!! I am not that type of person; one who plans family get togethers. i think they are so wonderful and special and we will attend them but no plan them. So this year when i decided to try this it was a "LEAP" and an "outside the box" thought. I talked with my family and they supported me (don't you just love family!!! they are there when you decide to take the LEAP. they are waiting at the bottom with warm cocoa and words of encouragement!! yep...love them! ok...i digress... i am glad i did this and i think one of my 2008 resolutions will include LEAPING more!!!!

Random Thoughts...

1/ Including today there are 6 more days before Christmas.

2/ I love shopping but I hate the mall!!!

3/ I am sitting here wondering where in the hades did this month go???

4/ Why did one of my peers up and leave (I have some thoughts but they are not random...teeehehehehe).

5/ We will be leaving in a few minutes to take Gigi to her friends for a holiday get together and then we are off to Chubby's for some yummy Mexican Food.

6/ 2 more year end reviews to write and i am done!!!! wahoooo!!!

7/ When will I get the time to buy my Mom her gift certificate (yes...i have done it...resorted to gift certificates!!!!)....shame...shame...

8/ why is she not answering her phone (i know she has caller ID). could it be related to a conversation we had on Monday??????

9/ i am liking these random though thingies....i will have to do them more in 2008/

10/ WHOA!!!! stop thinking about 2008...you are not even through Christmas yet!!!!

11/ who will be leaving this week on Project Runway???

12/ I need to call Angie...and it's time to leave!!! tehehehehehehe

communication...

it is a love hate relationship...to communicate or not to communicate (when i say communicate i don't mean chit chat...we do that every day...). i think communication is essential to every relationship. i also think communication is a bittersweet thing...the truth and nothing but the truth (???)...please! the truth can set you free but it can also force you into places you do not want to go (dark places, places of illusions...). communication...it's like air to life...without it a relationship will perish. Maybe not now, maybe not tomorrow but there will be a point in that relationship where it will cease to be. How can it not? Going through life's journeys without expressing yourself, your inner thought, your deepest fears, your ugliest secrets, your incredible dreams???? How does one truly live if they do not share these things? Communication...it is such a vital part of humanity (how does one have a relationship with Christ if they cannot communicate??).

One is the sad things about communication is the ability to want to communicate, the desire to share yourself, the passion of wanting to have someone share them self with you and the sadness of knowing they will not do it. They will not share...they will not communicate (they can chit chat but they cannot communicate). This is such a frustrating and ugly place to be. You can try and try but they choose to put up walls...thick brick walls! You try to go over them, under them, through them and nothing...you think you have made some progress and BOOM! another brick, a thicker layer, more grout...anything and everything to keep the wall erect. Slowly the air is dissipating and weariness sets in (trying to get through walls is a very exhausting endeavor). What to do???

You can exist on the side of the wall. Wait for those rare moments when a drawbridge comes down. Wait for the times when you are allowed to "see" them (the time factor is determined strictly by the one behind the wall). Wait...wait and hope one day the walls will tumble down and the relationship can be flooded with communications (good, bad, angry, loving...it does not matter is is communication!!).

*sighy* Communication...to or not to?????

yucky...that is what i am feeling right now...yucky!! and i can't afford to feel yucky today! I have lots to do and time is running out! today we are suppose to bake cookies, eat pizza and watch Christmas cartoons!!! well...maybe if i take enough drugs i will be ok this afternoon...*sighy*

i have been feeling this way since last night! I went to work and it was yucky! i had to push it aside to complete 3 more year end reviews (boy will i be glad when those are completed!!!). i was sooo pooped around 3:30 a.m. and i was feeling real real yucky!! well...i asked my team for some "drugs" and wow!! did they hook me up!! I had so many "goodies" my desk looked like a pharmacy!!! teeeheheheeh!! well...me being me...i took everyone of them (could that be why i am feeling worse??). i think my tummy may be upset b/c it was empty before my "splurge". well...time will tell if any of it works. it's funny, but i felt loved when they were bringing me things to make me feel better! i have said it before and i will say it again...i love my team! they are the best!!!

anyway...i am going to take a nap and when i wake up i hope i feel better...

FRIDAY FUN

1. What were the big names in bands when you were in high school?

Journey, The Police, Culture Club, Toto
2. Do you still like them, or have your tastes changed as you have gotten older?

I love to listen to music from the 80's! It takes me back to to some GREAT times! I would say my taste are still similar to my high school years...pop music, country, love songs, soft rock...
3. Do you listen to the same music that high schoolers listen to?

Yes i do...some of it is GREAT!!!
4. What is your favorite genre of music?

I am eclectic and love all types of music...it really depends on my mood!
5. Do you play/have you played an instrument? If so, what? If not, if you did, what would it be?

I use to play a guitar in Junior High. I would love to know how to play the piano!

Freezing and Crockpots...

Ok...call me crazy, call me weird or just call me (teeehehehehhe...i have had some rest and was able to complete 3 of my year end focuses last night so I am feeling real good!!). Any way (i digress...), i have discovered the wonderful art of freezing food (so far meats) and using it later (within a week) and i love love love it!!!. last week i made lasagna and i had some extra italian sausage so i decided to freeze it (i have already heard that freezing food was a good thing...) and today i am making spaghetti and i remembered my frozen meat! Viola! I popped it in the microwave and boom!!! love love love love it!!!! I also froze some hamburger meat last night for next week....teeehehehe. How come i never tried this before??????

and then there is my crockpot!!! love love love that!!! last week i had several meetings so i popped (ok...i am loving this word when it is related to food because it signifies quick and easy...popped!!!) in a Marie Calendars (if you have not tried her crockpot dinners please trust me and do!!!!) stew and boom! When i came home that night i was able to put in some biscuits and Viola (another word i am liking when associated with quick and food...Viola!) dinner was served! love love love love it!!!

i think i will challenge myself in 2008 and try more recipes that use my crockpot and use freezing more....and then boom, POP, Viola! Many wonderful dinners will be served!!!

Dare I call myself a Domestic Goddess?????? teeehehehehe

this was fun to play....

Rock star name {first pets name & current car}
Fishy Voyager

Gangsta name {fave ice cream & cookies}
Rocky Road Oreo

Fly girl name {first initial of first name & first 3 of last}
Aess (please make sure you pronounce it correctly!!)

Detective name {fave colour & animal}
Red Dog (hmmm...isn't there an energy drink named this??)

Soap opera name {middle name & city where born}
Marie Denver (sounds like she should be working in the Rodeo)

Star wars name {first 3 letters of last name & first 2 of first name} Essan (I like...)

Superhero name {2nd fave colour & fave drink}
Black Coke (ok...i am not sure exactly who i would be saving with a name like this...)

Nascar name {first names of grandfathers}
Ezekial Lupe

Stripper name {name of your favorite perfume, favorite candy}
Red Snickers (yummy!!!)

Witness protection name {mother & fathers middle names}
Flora Junior (WOW!!!)

I found this meme on Hootin' Anni's blog. It was fun to answer the questions.



1. Christmas is a blessed day full of wonder, love, family and happiness.

2. In memories, what was the best part of your Christmases past? Being with my family during the holidays (some of them are no longer with us so the memories are that much more sweeter...).

3. Was Santa ever good to you? Always!!! When I was growing up he was so magical because he always knew what I wanted!!!

4. Do you open gifts on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or both? We open our "pajama's" and 1 gift on Christmas Eve, stockings and family gifts on Christmas Day and our home gifts on New Years Day!

5. Is there something you make each and every year? We love to make cookies!!

6. What is your favorite five[5] Christmas songs/hymns?
1/ Silent Night
2/ Mary Did you know
3/ Drummer Boy
4/ Baby, It's Cold outside
5/ Gloria

7. Is there a new tradition for Christmas since your childhood days? Yes, we now open our gifts (at home) on New Years morning.

8. Describe one of your Christmas trips. When I was younger my family went to California during Christmas vacation. It was horrible to be on the road for Christmas. I remember when we were leaving our friends home their Grandparents were coming in with gifts and it was sad. I wanted to be home with our family celebrating Christmas.

9. Do you have a special Christmas outfit to wear for the day? No.

10. Have YOU or any of your family members sat on Santa's lap? Yes, when the girls were younger we would go to a Santa breakfast to visit him!

11. What is/or will be on your Christmas tree this year? We have 2 huge trees and one of them has all our family ornaments (including the ones I made when i was young!) and the white tree has silver an glass ornaments.

12. Do you/or have you decorated your yard for Christmas? Yes, my hunny bunny puts the lights on the outside of the house on our trees (they are clear white lights).