Wow!!! what a month!!! I am still trying to catch up and I don't think I will win!! I am exhausted and wish everything would slow down but...*sigh*. I don't even have time to sit and catch up!!! However I must say I am sooooo proud to announce my baby girl GRADUATED!!! wahoo!!! We are so proud of her and excited!! It was a beautiful graduation and her speech was wonderful!!! More on it later...with pictures. We have also been going to parties and it will not end for another 2 weeks!!! wow!!! and to top it off I am in training all week and working days!!! (AAAUUGGHHH!!! I am actually seeing the sun and rush hour!!!!). well...more later! (i am off to download some pictures!!)

wow...time is sure flying!!! I thought I would check in but wow!! so much going on...between Gigi's graduation and the party and the holidays in between life has been hectic!!! and you add work and life in there and you begin to wonder...when will i have time to breathe!!! WOW!! lot's to do this week for Saturday!! Ohhh yeah...now we are wondering about a pig for the luau! (more on that later...). I guess it is good to be busy because it does not leave much time to ponder my baby and how fast she is growing up.... *sighy*
Mom's day went real well...i am truly blessed to be a mother of 2 incredible daughters!! We were also able to visit and that is always a good thing...smile!

we went to church today and have spent the rest of the day resting. It was a busy weekend! Gigi had her "prom" and we all went to dinner at Pappadeux...a yummy "Cajun: restaurant. The theme for the high school was "Mardi Gras" so the dinner place was appropriate! I know I am a little biased...but my baby girl was gorgeous!!! She was hesitant about her dress but in the end she loved it and it went real well with the theme.
Hunny bunny is still sick, and the three of us are still recovering and coughing up a storm (you should see all the "mocho" rags we have around the house!! Yucko!!
2 more weeks until graduation and lots to do....but the sad thing is it will be here and gone before we know it!!!

wow!! it has been awhile and boy have we been busy!!! Last weekend was out couples retreat and it was at Winter Park. It was an incredible and beautiful weekend. glad we went. It was a little awkward leaving the girls on their own..i made sure to call them on a regular basis but I am so glad we decided to go. I was so thrilled to spend a few days with my hunny bunny...no worries...no stress...nothing but him and I, together, enjoying eachother. It was great!!! We did some exercises together and learned some new things about eachother...who would have thought 21 years later and we are still l earning. Awesome!!
there was one bad thing...i had "altitude" sickness! Physically i was worn out and had a hard time breathing...i don't think it helped that i was recovering when i went up there! But wow!!! My hunny bunny was incredible and took care of me!! He was sooo loving and considerate! We did leave a few hours earlier than planned on Sunday morning because of me...but in the end we decided it was worth it because i had this horrible, brought me to my knees coughing spell and we don't think I would have been able to breathe and cough for 15 minutes straight in the mountains. Whew!!! it was bad!
however...i will take the uncomfortable physical part for the enriched couple part any day!! teeehehehehe. There was some exciting things I learned and I need to chew on them some more before I express my thoughts (who ever said exciting was good???? tehehehehe). I think we both learned some things and it was wonderful to see hunny bunny working on a few things i said would "energize" me this weekend. He was not feeling good but he still did them...aaaaawwwhhhh. i soooo love him!!! it was also good to put my marriage on the top! i know that is one of my 2008 resolutions and it feels good to work on it!!!

updates...

*this week i am in some intensive training and boy is it wiping me out!!! whew!!
*was able to go get my 6mnth check up on the "puppies". Just waiting for the results.
*Gigi's graduation announcements came in (whew!!!)...now i just need to order her pictures!
*Gigi's prom dress came in!!! (double whew!!)
*Boo is still sick and I feel for her (I am trying to not be detached...more on that later...)
*i am managing 2 teams....wow!!

soooo. i am off to do some domestic stuff and later see who goes home on DWTS and AI (I hope it is the chick who cries and whines all the time on dancing and sorry but Brooke has to go on AI...). I know we are late but that is the beauty of DVR's!!!!!

i think i am fixated on time...is it not amazing how fast it goes by??? i also think i am fixated by list...at least right now. I was able to complete most of my list from last week and I had some things that i wanted to do on my days off and i was able to complete ALL of those...

* get dishes done
* download pictures to print (this took 2 days!!)
* wash some clothes
* fold and put away some clothes
* trash (is it not amazing how much trash we accumulate!!)
* upstairs bathroom (get the dirty clothes out of there)
* pick up pictures from Sams

not bad!!! I have a few days this week and i need to get some things done...

* plan wardrobe for weekend getaway
* 4 dinners... homemade
* more water!!!
* pick up a few cards to send out (i don't think i will be visiting this month but i can still make contact with family through mail)
* nails
* hair (huge maybe!!!)
* something scrapbookie...
* at least one more update on my blog
* walk at least once this week (baby steps)
* complete my "to do work list"
* get an update on Gigi's graduation (*sighy*)
* upload more pictures (never ending and I am sooooo far behind!)

ok...sounds like lots but if i stay focused i think i can do them and feel better and more "accomplished" at the end of the week. I feel good about last week...i think that is one of the reasons i love list...you are able to look back and see what you have done, what you have yet to do and make plans for those things you may not get to... Yep...it gives you a plan and i like that (i know that sounds soooo weird!!). Well...here is to my list and success!!!

Saturday...the start of my weekend and what a busy weekend i have...

i am soooo frustrated because i have to spend some of my time disputing some charges on my card!!! AAAUUUGGGHHH!!! I will say this i have been on the phone with them and so far they have been so empathetic and helpful! I was soooo stressed out and their concern is helping me to be less stressed! They were so good that I had to compliment the agent (which is something i rarely do!!). So...now i wait and i am confident all will go well...i will let you know!

i also am working with my daughter on her graduation announcements. i am also hoping to get her to the store to start shopping for prom (sigh). did i forget to mention this weekend had the chance to be very stressfull!!! teeehehehehe

off to be stressed!!!!!

today is tuesday and i am happy to report i was able to complete everything on my list from last week as well as my weekend list! Wahoo!!! I am doing GREAT!!! (if I say so myself!). So I am ready for some more things to accomplish this week...

* fold clothes (they only thing i did not get to last week)
* 2-4 loads of clothes
* finish up the id holders i started last week
* work on the living and family room
* order pictures from Sam's
* have Gigi order her announcements (i found some cute ones to show her...)
* start organizing beads (yucko!!)
* work on some scrapbooking stuff
* drink water 3 times this week (at work)

lets see how i do this week...

***my daughter went to a concert last night and it was not a good experience for her. I have not spoken with her yet but from what i heard (from Daddy) I am soooo upset (not with her but with the things that happened). more on that later...***

It's Sunday and i am happy to say I have accomplished most of the things on my list (I know I am obsessed with my list this week...I think it has something to do with living life instead of "existing" and in order to do that I need to be doing things!!). I want to work on a few other things on "my weekend"...
* finish the id holder for Cherie (i have been wanting to make her one for weeks) and possibly start a few more...
* add some pictures to a few more kits (this makes it easy when i am bored...just grab a kit and start working)
* finish up Gigi's small "friends" book.
* pay some bills (yucko!)
* a few more loads of clothes (way behind!!)
* have Gigi look at graduation announcements (I sooooo need to do this!!)

Whew!! that is enough for the weekend!!!

***i was shopping yesterday (I bought the MOST INCREDIBLE purse yesterday!! It is a Vera Wang and it was love at first sight!!! *sighy*) and looked in the mirror!! Ohh my!!!! It was not good...i soooo need to get serious about this weight!! I know I do but again it goes back to existing!! I need to get beyond that to living and I think it will help! I am not making excuses but it is hard to want to do something when at the end of the day you fill accomplished just to have made dinner and gone to work!!! So...i need to remember what I felt at that time and do something about it...no promises, no guarantees right now but it is on my mind...***

Brrrrrrrrr...it is snowing!!! Can you believe it!! Snow in April. It was an OK ride home from work but the roads are getting slicker. Yucko!! I thought the snow was over and it is not. They are saying 3-6 inches. The only good thing was being able to use my crock pot. I put in some pot roast and it will cook all day while I sleep (what a life!!). Yummy!!! And then we will add the potatoes later on and when it is ready put the biscuits in the oven ( I know you wish you were coming over for dinner....teeehehehehe).
As for my list...i have washed 2 loads (I need to do 2 more). Today will by our 3rd homemade meal this week (1 more to go!). i gave out 2 thank you notes at work (that is done!). i have to work on the other things on the list and hopefully they will be done soon.... *teeehehehehe I am doing pretty good so far!!!). I love lists (weird I know)...i so need to get back to them...*sighy*
Brrrrrr...not to go sleep under warm covers.......brrrrrrrrrrrrr


*****update....the snow has stopped...wahooo!!! and i made our dentist appointments (1 more thing off my list!!!). Wahooo....i am on a roll....teeeehehehehe...off to do a load of laundry before a homemade dinner!!! (told you i was on a roll!!!) BAAAAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Well...it has been awhile since I did a Tackle It Tuesday and I think it is time to get motivated and "tackle some things" so...

* Cook at least 4 meals this week.
* Work on some scrapbooking projects.
* Fold some laundry and do 2-4 loads of clothes.
* Speak with Gigi about graduation.
* Work related...write 2 thank you cards and deliver them.
* Make appointments for dentist and myself.

ok...that should be enough for this week! *Let's see how I do...*

Ohhhhh...i just heard some real sad news. Film legend Charlton Heston dead at 84! I was so sad when I read this!! I loved watching his movies...The Ten Commandments (every Easter when I was growing up we would watch this!!), Planet of the Apes, Ben Hur (who could ever forget the chariot race??) and the list goes on... And he was so handsome! I had a small crush on him when I was younger (he was sooo handsome as the young Moses!!!). And even though it was not the greatest I was in awe of him when I went to see Earthquake! He was my hero!!! He is one of those movie figures I grew up with and it is sad to know he is gone. *sighy*

Happy April Fool's Day!!! Wow!! Another month has come and gone!! Where or where is this year going? Once again I am shocked at how fast time flies!!How do I make time work for me?? Is it possible? Again, I wish I had a week to slow everything down and regroup. Refocus. That would be ideal, unfortunately I don't see that happening in the near future. I know...I can MAKE time but...that is so hard to do. Do I do it between sleep, work, family time, dinner??? When??? Ok...enough complaining. I know I need to make some time and I guess that is a goal I need to set for myself. I was looking at some time management things and I thought I would share some....

You Can Make Your Life Easier In Under Two Minutes How? Here is intelligence from Quick and Simple Magazine on the best times to do certain activities. So after hearing these, you’ll be able to plan your day in mere seconds! For example:

* When’s the best time to make a tough decision? Do it around 10am. That’s because the brain area responsible for concentration and focus is most active two to four hours after you wake up – which is about 10am for most people. Know this: Your communication skills are also best in late morning – so it’s a good time to schedule a meeting, return calls or go on a job interview.
* Let’s talk about the best time to balance your checkbook. Pencil that in around 3pm. Why? Because body temperature begins to rise in the afternoon, speeding blood flow to the brain and increasing mental sharpness. If you don’t think your boss will buy the excuse of “I can’t work on that sales report because it cuts into peak check-balancing time,” then do it between 8 and 9pm. That’s a time when we’re alert and our brains are better suited to working with numbers.
* Another “best time” that’ll help you plan your day: The best time to take a walk. Do it at 5pm. Your body temperature is at its highest. Which’ll boost your energy so you can walk further and faster. The further and faster you walk, the more calories you’ll burn!
* When’s the best time to go to bed? Turn in at 11pm. Why? Because production of the sleep hormone melatonin is at its peak – making it the ideal time to get some sleep. If going to bed at 11pm won’t get you the recommended eight hours of sleep, turn in earlier. A lack of sleep raises your risk for heart disease, depression and even weight gain – so it’s not worth sacrificing your health for the sake of going to bed at the “perfect time”.


Learn To Work on Your Time Management Skills.
If you have trouble getting things done, or you show up late for appointments, it’s time to work on your time-management skills. Here are some simple steps that can help, courtesy of Bottom Line Personal and workplace coach Susan Martin.

* Identify your time wasters. Most people who struggle with managing their time tend to get caught up in activities that WASTE time – like surfing the Internet or making long phone calls. So, pinpoint these habits and hang up a list to remind you NOT to do them.
* Trim your to-dos. A lot of us have to-do lists that are full of things that don’t really help us reach our goals – which mean they’re not priorities. Maybe you’ve decided that you’d like to arrange all the books on your shelves in alphabetical order. That’s fine - but don’t let it get in the way of finishing something that’s more important. Review your list and decide what really needs to be done. Get real! Martin says the biggest time-management trap is underestimating how long some things take to do. Estimate how much time you need to complete a task, and then DOUBLE that number. Keep doing this until you’re better able to accurately judge how much time is needed.
* Make an appointment with yourself. Schedule focused work periods to accomplish specific tasks. During these periods, let voicemail pick up your phone, turn off the Internet and email, and let people know that you won’t be available. Then you won’t have anything to distract you from the task at hand. If you’d like to go further, check out Martin’s website Business-sanity .com.

We just finished watching AI (courtesy of our DVR) and wow!! I was sooo impressed with 2 of the performances!!! ENJOY!!!

Wow!! Is it not amazing how much stress can take out of you and how quick it can come on? One minute you are sitting there in a normal state and then BOOM! you get a side swipe that takes you off course!! Well, that is what happened yesterday. I was on a straight course and then the side swipe came. Not good.
Well, I found some good stuff on stress (more John Tesh)....hopefully I can use some of this in the future (teeehehehe).



Try These Tricks to Ease Your Stress
Don’t freak out! If stress is sending you into a tailspin, try these tricks from Quick and Simple Magazine.
Form a fist. The next time you’re stressed, try this trick: Clench your fists tightly for five seconds, then open them. Why does this work? Because when a muscle tenses as much as possible, it becomes able to detense completely. Basically, clenching and releasing your fists is kind of like pushing an internal “reset” button on your body. Which helps you relax.
Look at something blue. Like the blue screensaver on your computer. Or a blue pillow in your living room. Rutgers University researchers found that blue triggers the production of a calming brain chemical. According to Dr. Bernie Siegel, author of 101 Exercises For The Soul, since blue is the color of the ocean and the sky, we automatically associate it with the serene feelings that come with being out in nature.
Belt out a tune. It doesn’t matter if you’re off key! According to researchers at Frankfurt University in Germany, singing can slash the body’s level of stress hormones! Why? Because when we sing, we’re breathing deeply, and this lowers the body’s blood pressure and heart rate.
Help someone. Being kind to others produces a rush of feel-good chemicals in the brain. That’s according to the book Stress Free For Good. That endorphin surge boosts your mood. So help a little old lady cross the street. Or offer to watch your neighbor’s kid while they run to the store.



Here are the Easiest Ways to Lower Your Stress Levels
Stress no more! Here and now, I have the easiest ways ever to calm down, be happier, and lower your stress levels. We found these scientifically proven methods in Woman’s World magazine.

* For instance, battling stress is as easy as turning on Animal Planet – or watching a National Geographic DVD about nature and wildlife. Researchers tried this test. They had volunteers watch either a soap opera, a video of animals, or a blank TV screen. They found that the animal video was hands-down the best at reducing blood pressure and heart rate – which are key signs if stress. So why does watching animals work? Because they naturally fascinate us. That’s according to Dr. Alan Beck from the Center for the Human-Animal Bond at Purdue University. Dr. Beck says animals hold our attention and that distracts us from stressful thoughts.

* Another way to get rid of stress is to stop hanging around Debbie Downer or her brother David Downer. The pessimism of negative people is contagious. The effect is so strong that hanging around a negative person will spike your blood pressure faster than being with someone you outright hate! So why do we “catch” pessimism so easily? Psychologist Dr. Adam Duhachek says it’s because we assume that if someone has such a strong negative opinion, it’s for a good reason. So we adopt it without thinking about the other side of the coin.

* Get a 15 minute aromatherapy massage. It really does work! According to the Journal of Clinical Nursing, when emergency room nurses were given 15 minute aromatherapy massages, with fragrant oils and soothing music, their stress levels plunged from 60% to just 8%. Combining the massage with relaxing aromas and music works better than just the massage on its own.

I am soooo in love with MOTOWN! This is one of my favorites!!!....