FAST & FURIOUS FEBRUARY

I know! I know! I said I would keep my blog updated but it's been hard with everything going on. The month of February has just flown by. A few happy things have happened. Starting with Mike and I are going with Terry & Diana to the Tim McGraw & Lady Antbellum Concert that is coming up June 13th. The tickets went on sale this month. Pretty excited about this cause I LOVE ME SOME TIM MCGRAW!!!!
Ummm do you see this face??? How could you not like him? We will be in the VIP section and not having to deal with the whole crowd thing, with our own bar and air conditioned bathrooms so this will make me extra happy come June! This was our early Valentine's gift to each other. Speaking of Valentine's Day we joined some friends for an early celebration dinner on Saturday to beat the crowds on Sunday. We enjoyed some Hibachi at a placed called Shiki.

~ Early Valentine's Dinner ~

ME & THE HUBS

ISSAC & CYNDI

PAUL & CINDY

BRITT & JANICE

After dinner we went to OKLAHOMA CITY LIMITS it's a cool little place to go listen to all kinds of music, they usually book bands, you can play pool, karaoke, dance and have a good time with your friends. It's just right down the street from my office. Mike and I go there a lot for lunch. They make a mean burger too so go check them out. The night we went they had a band there called DEAL SELTZER & THE REDNECK MOTHERS (click on the all caps to view their websites) Mr. Paul Andes was a dancing machine. Should have been there to capture the full effects!

This past weekend I went on a little road trip with Diana to visit Beth in Arkansas. We had no major plans except to watch some chick flicks, possibly fit in some shopping and veg out. Although we did know we were getting up to go to Wal-Mart's Saturday Morning Meeting. I've never been to one and when I heard who the special guest was I thought okay I will make an exception and be ready to go with a smile on my face by 7 am! The last time I went to see Beth and I opted not to get up and go to her meeting I missed Mr. Denzel Washington. I did not make that mistake this time. We had a really good time during our visit while seeing Jamie Foxx. We also got in a day full of window shopping, actual shopping, lunch, watced the movie Dear John, read tons of gossip mags and caught up on tons of DVR TV. Very relaxing trip. I've missed me some Beth!

FEBRUARY 1st, 2010

It's little man's 10th birthday. Mr. Cameron Ash turned 10 yesterday and I'll have you know they had no school again. His day started off with a visit to the orthopedic specialist for his wrist injury from football season. He has been cleared to play baseball. He was pretty happy about that. Still kinda stiff and needs to work on his wrist exercises but nothing he can't fix in time. Mike & I had to work but he spent the day with our good friends Blu & Heather and their kiddos. They went sledding in the snow and got stuck right off the bat. Not only did the truck they were in get stuck but the tow truck that came to save them got stuck too. Sounds like an eventful day, they said it lasted about 4 hours. Cameron wanted to go to dinner at Chili's so after work we met up for some dinner and hung out. While enjoying some grub once again we found out no school for Tuesday. Cameron ended up staying the night with Jake. Not a lot to do since we have to work. Sounds like the weather has but a damper on two birthdays this year. We've got some catching up to do this weekend, hopefully the weather will play along. I must say Cameron is one of the coolest kids I know. He knows this happens almost every year that the weather affects birthday party planning and he's been a real trooper.

ICE/SNOW STORM

Starting early this week the news channels starting going CRAZY about the upcoming weather. I kid you not that's ALL we heard about for like 4 solid days. People started to freak out a little. Mike thought he'd do good by going to the grocery store at night around 10 on Tuesday night. He sent me a pictures from his cell phone of the bread isle. There might have been 4 loaves of bread on the shelf. WOW!! Guess we should have went earlier before all the crazies! Thursday we worked half a day and just like clock work the rain started in the morning and it was freezing. YIPPIE!! No work for us on Friday and Cameron was a happy camper to have no school on Thursday or Friday. We spent most of our time bundled up at home while the rain, ice, sleet and snow headed our way. It was really nice to wake up to nothing but snow on Friday morning and throughout most of that day. We were lucky we never lost our power. That was not the case for a lot of folks. Mainly people in Chickasha, OK. With a long weekend at hand that lead to lots of catching up on the DVR shows which made me a happy camper. That was followed by HGTV and lots of napping and sitting by the fireplace. Saturday I ventured out to Diana's house for some chick flicks and dinner. Mike & Cameron hung out and had guy time. Sunday we played in the snow. I took some cool pics of the ice/snow. Hope you enjoy.


Mike, Cameron & King chilling by the fireplace

walking right out our front door

HAPPY 18th BIRTHDAY KYLE

Here's to you kid ~Happy 18th Birthday..... regardless if the weather and the roads have kept me from seeing you on your actual birthday, I still hope you know I'm thinking of you. I LOVE YOU & HAVE THE UTMOST FAITH IN YOU!

Nanny holding you shortly after arriving home from the hospital.
What a cute baby boy. Look at all that hair you had.

HELPFUL TRAINING IDEAS

Yes, I stole this from a website I found to be helpful. No, I am not doing this 5K to bring home some gold medal and get any pat on the back! I just want to prove to myself I CAN DO THIS and that I can stick to something that will lead to a healthier me. This is better than plain jane walking in my eyes (no offense to the walkers of the world) but I need more and I want more). I have 13 weeks (from the day I decided to do this) to prepare for my event. Trust me every week counts since I am a big girl and need to shed some pounds. Maybe this will help you too. If so let me know. That would make my day!

The Training Program

To get prepare for a 5K run, it is not necessary to run every single day. Your muscles need time to recuperate and grow. This guide is designed for training three days out of the week. Ideally, make these days Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and give your body time to rest in between. Also, make sure to combine this program with a healthy food nutrition guide, because eating right is as essential as exercising when it comes to staying and getting in 5K shape. Also, make sure to stretch and warm up properly every day before setting off on your runs.

Week 1
Day 1: Brisk walk: 25 minutes.	Day 2: Brisk walk: 20 minutes. Slow jog: 5 minutes. Cool-down walk: 5 minutes.	Day 3: Brisk walk: 15 minutes Slow jog: 5 minutes Regular walk: 5 minutes Slow jog: 3 minutes Cool-down walk: 5 minutes
Week 2
Day 1: Brisk walk: 15 minutes Slow jog: 5 minutes Regular Walk for 5 minutes Slow jog: 5 minutes Cool-down walk: 5 minutes	Day 2: Brisk walk: 15 minutes Slow jog: 5 minutes Regular walk: 5 minutes Slow jog: 5 minutes Cool-down walk: 5 minutes	Day 3: Brisk walk: 15 minutes Slow jog: 5 minutes Regular walk: 5 minutes Slow jog: 5 minutes Cool-down walk: 5 minutes
Week 3
Day 1: Brisk walk: 10 minutes Slow jog: 7 minutes Regular walk: 4 minutes Slow jog: 4 minutes Cool-down walk: 5 minutes	Day 2: Brisk walk: 10 minutes Slow jog: 7 minutes Regular walk: 4 minutes Slow jog: 4 minutes Cool-down walk: 5 minutes	Day 3: Brisk walk: 10 minutes Slow jog: 7 minutes Regular walk: 4 minutes Slow jog: 4 minutes Cool-down walk: 5 minutes
Week 4
Day 1: Brisk walk: 5 minutes Jog 1/2 mile Regular walk: 4 minutes Jog 1/2 mile Cool-down walk: 5 minutes	Day 2: Brisk walk: 5 minutes Jog 1/2 mile Walk: 4 minutes Jog 1/2 mile Cool-down walk: 5 minutes	Day 3: Brisk walk: 5 minutes Jog 1/2 mile Regular walk: 4 minutes Jog 1/2 mile Cool-down walk: 5 minutes
Week 5
Day 1: Brisk walk: 3 minutes Jog 1/2 mile Regular walk: 3 minutes Jog 1/2 mile Regular walk: 2 minutes Jog 1/2 mile Cool-down walk: 3 minutes	Day 2: Brisk walk: 3 minutes Jog 1/2 mile Regular walk: 3 minutes Jog 1/2 mile Regular walk: 2 minutes Jog 1/2 mile Cool-down walk: 3 minutes	Day 3: Brisk walk: 5 minutes Jog 3/4 mile Regular walk: 2 minutes Jog 1/2 mile Regular walk: 2 minutes Jog 1/2 mile Cool-down walk: 2 minutes
Week 6
Day 1: Brisk walk: 5 minutes Jog 1.5 miles Regular walk: 3 minutes Jog 1/4 mile Cool-down walk: 3 minutes	Day 2: Brisk walk: 5 minutes Jog 1.5 miles Regular walk: 3 minutes Jog 1/4 mile Cool-down walk: 3 minutes	Day 3: Brisk walk: 5 minutes Jog 1.5 miles Regular walk: 3 minutes Jog 1/2 mile Cool-down walk: 3 minutes
Week 7
Day 1: Brisk walk: 3 minutes Jog 2 miles Regular walk: 2 minutes Jog 1/2 mile Cool-down walk: 2 minutes	Day 2: Brisk walk: 3 minutes Jog 2 miles Regular walk: 2 minutes Jog 1/2 mile Cool-down walk: 2 minutes	Day 3: Brisk walk: 5 minutes Jog 2.5 miles Cool-down walk: 2 minutes
Week 8
Day 1: Brisk walk: 3 minutes Jog: 2.75 miles Cool-down walk: 2 minutes	Day 2: Brisk walk: 3 minutes Jog 2.75 miles Cool-down walk: 2 minutes	Day 3: Brisk walk: 2 minutes Jog 3 miles Cool-down walk: 2 minutes

Once you have completed this program, you will be more than ready to run that 5K. On the day of the race, make sure to arrive early and warm up. Drink plenty of water before race. 12oz. is the most common amount recommended by experts. You might also want to keep a bottle on your person, just to wet your lips if they get dry at any point during the race.

AND SHE'S OFF

By the time you finish reading this post you might just think I am off my rocker but in fact I have decided to run my first 5K ever. Hell my first run anything ever. Try that on for size peeps!! Being obese is going to add to that challenge but I'll be damned if I am going to let that hold me back!! Wondering how I came to that decision? I was looking on the internet and reading about how people walk off the pounds. Just simply by walking. So I kept reading and I came across a training program called COUCH TO 5K and it trains/guides you in a matter of 9 weeks adjusting accordingly so you can run for 30+ minutes. The time it takes to run a 5K. Anyways I decided if all these other fat people even heavier than me can do this without falling on their face then why can't I? I mean seriously. I kept reading the same thing over and over from post to post ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER. ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER. How hard can it be?

It's been a long 11 days as of today that I have been on my new medication. My thyroid was increased in addition to something new my doctor is doing to help increase my energy level. I have not had as much as one drink of coke or any carbonated beverage for that matter. I have however consumed more water than I ever believed humanly possible. Not to mention without adding any of those flavored pack things. Lucky me I figured out they give me heartburn so I skip them. My eating habits are changing too. I introduced fruits and some vegetables back into my diet (I'm not a fan of veggies AT ALL so I at least drink V8 reduced sodium). The fast food no longer works for me. Skipping breakfast no longer is acceptable. I can't, I feel like crap if I even try. I take my lunch to work and I bring prepared snacks now like raisins, mandarin oranges & apples. It matters because I know in the long run I am doing my body a favor. I no longer buy products that do not include whole wheat grains even down to my spaghetti noodles. It's a change that we are all adapting to. It also matters to my goal of weight loss. I'm not going to sit here and say it's not all about the numbers because I do care about the numbers. I eventually want to be a certain weight and that is under 200 lbs. I have an incredibly long journey ahead of me and I know this, so why dwell on a number right now???

If anyone wants to join me on the journey let me know. My first 5K run will be the OKLAHOMA CITY MEMORIAL April 25th, 2010.


** UPDATE **
Day 1 of getting off the couch and walking. I will admit this sounds easy but I could think of a thousand excuses to stay home. Especially since this is my normal. I did not think I would make it one block but I knew taking that first step and making myself move would make me feel better. I drove myself to the park and walked 3 full laps. I did the fast paced mall walker with the pumping of the arms too. When I first started I was crying. Don't say a word! YES! Tears started but it was freaking cold so that was short lived and I sucked it up quickly. I was proud of myself. I walked 1.25 miles without stopping on my first day of doing any kind activity in over a year. I can cry if I want to!
I did not follow the Couch to 5K at all. I will do more reading so I can learn more on actual training for running day to day.

WHAT'S A GIRL TO DO

I went to go get my hair done on Tuesday at 5:15. Pretty happy about it cause I enjoy venting and catching up with my girl Casey (by the way I LOVE because we have SO much in common). I was a tad early and in the parking lot I mentally noticed was empty but I continued talking on the phone only to have the holy bejesus scared out of me with Casey's face appearing out of nowhere in my window~ WE HAVE NO WATER!!!! I gathered my composure and asked what do you want me to do? She said I can foil you and you can just go home and rinse yourself if you don't mind and continued to apologize for the inconvenience or you can reschedule. I thought I don't care. It's not like the water main break was her fault. I'll go ahead and let her do my hair. Ummm I did not think this whole thing through people. I kind of forgot what you look like with your hair foiled~~


Let me just say I caught EVERY light there was from the salon to my house. Not to mention it's still the tail end of rush hour traffic. LUCKY ME!! I got some strange looks from passerbys . I faced forward the entire time and refused to look beside me when at a stop light. The best part was when I got home. I was telling Mike something important in the middle of our conversation he said Andrea, I am having a really hard time taking you serious right now. Thanks Mike!!! I personally think he was just using the foil as an excuse.

PROJECT SUNDAY

Okay so I decided I was sick of looking at my bland clock that blended in above my mantle. I busted out the paint brushes and did something about it. It just so happens that I made it the very colors of my living room (Duh) that I recently changed the colors of.

~Started with this~

~Painted it black~


~~NO LONGER BLAND~~

This makes me happy! Although my camera did not capture the true colors of the frames that are sitting on the mantel. Kind of irritated me but oh well. You get the general idea. See people this is what happens when you have free time on a Sunday and thoughts of HGTV shows run through your head. Moving on to making jewelry tonight while watching Desperate Housewives and Brother & Sisters. Hopefully I can find my tools. This alone will be a chore since they are in a room that you can't even see the floor. I'm not joking! Wish me luck!!!

STARTING MY WEEKEND / JEWELRY

This week has been a rough one to say the least. I decided to get a cup of coffee this morning and thanks to my friend Joyce I got google happy looking up songs on my laptop. Really put me in a good mood. Brought back some happy memories! I listened to one of my all time favorites and decided to share with you. I absolutely LOVED this song when it first came out, Still do. It's called BRING ON THE RAIN by Jo Dee Messina & Tim McGraw. Click on the all caps title and listen for yourself. Pretty much sums up my mood for the weekend to come.

This post would not be complete without me sharing this song too. It was a song I heard by Sara Evans (when Kyle's trouble first started) YOU'LL ALWAYS BE MY BABY. Again click on the all caps title and listen for yourself.
This song has so much meaning behind it for me. Listen to the words, I played it for Kyle one day we both just cried and cried. I love him more than he will every comprehend. Maybe when the day comes that he has children of his own he will start to understand. If you think my eyes are dry as I type this, you are crazy.

I am going to gather my composure and make this day an enjoyable one. I've got friends coming over this afternoon to meet up for a little shopping trip. Saving them some major bucks on name brand perfume. Hey, I'm a FREAK about my perfume collection so I might as well pass some of it on to my girlfriends too. Besides that's what friends are for, right?

I might even bust out the jewelry making stuff and make me a new piece or two. I could not tell you the last time I have done this. Maybe it will do me some good to run to a bead store I have not been to in a long time. It's a newer store and she has her shop set up sooo stinking cute. Sounds like a plan to me! I did not see a website but she does have a blog. ARTWORKS BEAD STUDIO You can also find her on facebook NINA BROWN. I'm a fan. Matter of a fact, I noticed she started carrying some super cute hats too. Go check her out sometime.

Hopefully this is the beginning to an enjoyable weekend for everyone. Go do something that brings you joy & happiness.

**UPDATE** Diana and I ended up getting to go visit Nina after all. I could not be more excited about the beads I picked out for a project for myself. Diana actually picked out something she wants me to make for her as well. Nina was so super sweet. Just darling and VERY helpful. She even allowed me to take a pic of something she made so I could kind of work off of it. I plan to play off her pattern making some adjustments of my own using different style beads and a tad different color. I never make necklaces with 2 or more strands but I saw this and felt challenged. I don't know why I just never do those. When I see them on other people I LOVE THEM. I know I am strange. So, I am totally going to attempt this. Here is a sneak peak of what I am basing this project off of so you get a general idea:
Now this has a chunky peace sign and that is not my thing so I picked a piece that suits me better. I promise to post pics of both mine and Diana's jewelry when I am finished.

** THANKS AGAIN NINA FOR ALL YOUR HELP AND SPENDING SO MUCH TIME WITH US **
I LOVE YOUR STORE AND LOVE THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE SO MANY UNIQUE PIECES TO CHOOSE FROM!

FORGIVE ME IF I HURT

Day started out better than average yesterday. I truly thought this could be the light at the end of the tunnel approaching. Then like a violent storm on a sunny day things changed. I feel like a pile of bricks were thrown at me ~ aimed right for my face. It was instant, I felt paralyzed by sadness! I did my usual form of dealing with adversity. I sobbed the entire afternoon and entire evening. I resorted to my old/comfortable habits that loom entirely too close to me. I really hoped and prayed my son would get to come home this year. After the news received yesterday I just don't think that is part of the plan anymore. I could be wrong but my heart keeps telling me otherwise. I wish I could understand just exactly what lesson it is I am suppose to be learning from this entire mess. I know I have to get a grip on the situation and take it for what it is. I tried to reach out to the most obvious person but that did not go so well either. You can continue to ignore while I continue to let go!

As a parent, I naturally want to take blame, try to make the pain easier for others to swallow and patch up the scars and damage that has been done. Maybe the lesson I am learning is I can't do all this alone. Maybe I can't do it at all. Maybe I am truly not the strong person people keep telling me I am. I keep feeling like someone/something has this enormous strength over me and they just keep pressing and pushing to see if I will burst. Tests that I am finding harder and harder to recover from. It's these set backs and tests that keep pushing me over the edge. It's getting harder and harder to just "deal" with on a daily basis. A big part of me wants to just become recluse and trap myself in my house until I am ready to move on. The other part of me continues to struggle with the fact I still have to be a wife. I still have to be a parent to Cameron. I still have to work. I still have to wake up everyday and do my best to make things better. Where is that damn easy button when you need it?

I was told yesterday to keep faith. Really? Please~ someone tell me just how the heck I am suppose to rely on that?!? I think that is just people's way of saying something they think makes you feel better. It's almost funny to me that people want to tell me how to be or what to do when not a one of them have been in my shoes or have a clue as to my pain. I'M ANGRY! I'M HURT! I'M LOST! I'M UPSET! I FEEL BETRAYED! I WANT TO SCREAM! I FEEL PUNISHED ENOUGH! I FEEL MIXED EMOTIONS THAT EVEN I AM UNABLE TO EXPRESS!!!!! I'm trapped and I am having trouble in more than one area of my life. So forgive me now if your toes got stepped on or I said something you did not like. Do I want you to feel sorry for me? NO! Do I think there is anything anyone else can do about it? NO! Maybe, just maybe, if I turned to you in my time of need then maybe I just needed a shoulder to cry on or some form of comfort for my release. I dang sure don't need a lecture or be told how I should feel. Let me tell you that does not help AT ALL. I also heard tomorrow is a new day. Well here it is Thursday and I'm just as hurt and depressed as I was yesterday.

I'll find my way out of this eventually................

FORGIVENESS ~ MY WORD FOR 2010

After a ton of reading yesterday I can across something intriguing to me. I was on ALI EDWARDS blog and noticed she for the last 4 years has been doing something different instead of a new year resolution. I fell head over heels for the idea and decided to adapt the same concept in my life this year. Ali learned about word of the year from a lady named Christine Kane. I have a link to her blog & website set up on my blog. Go check her out. She has a site that you can go to and sign up to receive a free easy to download word of the year worksheet discover tool. I did just that and came across techniques that made me actually put some thought into my word.
I am not listing everything in the worksheet word for word. You really need to make a copy for yourself. I've listed parts of the worksheet and figured if one other person walks away from this challenge and gets anything from it than I did my job of spreading the word. Hopefully it's a positive learning experience for everyone.

1. AUTHENTICITY~ allow yourself to shine through in your word.

2. AWARENESS~ this is key. This means everything in your life can be a teacher- including your own reaction to the things.

3. CLARITY~ (I LOVE HOW SHE PUTS THIS PART IN THE WORKSHEET) Letting go of the how

PART ONE: INTENTION & CLARITY: KNOW YOUR WHY

WRITE THE WORD OR WORDS YOUR ARE CHOOSING FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR.
F O R G I V E N E S S

WHY IS THIS THE PERFECT WORD FOR YOU THIS YEAR?
It's time to let go of so much of the past that has been holding me down.

IF YOU EMBRACED AND LIVED THIS WORD DAILY, WHAT WOULD BE DIFFERENT FOR YOU?
I believe it would allow me to have a greater peace with myself as well as others. Move on to bigger and better things that maybe I did not think I was worthy of.

IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU ALREADY LIVE/EMBODY THIS WORD?
I try to forgive people but I tend to not forget and that only holds me down.

IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU NOT LIVE/EMBODY THIS WORD?
I mean well by forgiving others but rarely forget. Not healthy, I know.

IF YOU WERE TO LIVE THIS WORD DAILY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, HOW WOULD YOUR LIFE BE DIFFERENT ONE YEAR FROM TODAY? WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE CREATED OR ATTRACTED? HOW WOULD YOU FEEL?
I know overall I would feel better about myself. It would attract a more positive outcome not just to me but my family and those people around me. It would allow me to "move on" for a lack of better words. I think it would life a huge burden I've carried/struggled with for years.

PART TWO: AWARENESS & ELIMINATION: KNOW YOUR TRIGGERS

WHAT OLD PATTERNS OR BELIEFS HAVE KEPT YOU FROM LIVING THE WORD UNTIL NOW?
I hold grudges. I hold grudges with myself and in return neglect things that I should not. I turn to food for comfort in these moments of weakness. Okay so I must have a ton of those weak moments because I have gained A LOT of weight in the last year.

LIST AT LEAST THREE THINGS THAT TRIGGER YOU TO "SHRINK" OR TO RUN IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF YOUR WHY?
1. Not succeeding on the first try
2. Realizing it's hard to change and not having the energy to push forward
3. Losing sight or focus due to rejection. Giving up when others don't notice
4. Depression setting in and diminishing my self worth
5. Allowing negativity to be my mindset

LIST AT LEAST FIVE POSSIBLE "PATTERN INTERRUPT" HABITS YOU CAN PRACTICE IN THE EVENT OF ONE OF YOUR TRIGGERS OCCURRING.
1. Call my dad
2. Call a friend
3. Go for a walk
4. Pray
5. Write to express my feelings

LIST AT LEAST FIVE NEW PROACTIVE HABITS OR PRACTICES YOU CAN INCORPORATE INTO YOUR LIFE AS MEANS OF SUPPORTS YOU IN LIVING YOUR WORD MORE FULLY, AND THEREBY DIMINISHING THE POWER YOUR TRIGGERS HAVE OVER YOU.
1. Appreciate the fact that I am not perfect (work in progress)
2. Learn I can not change others and move on to what makes me happy or brings me relief
3. Journal or blog as an outlet to release instead of doing so toward other people
4. Start reading daily inspirational quotes, books or bible verses
5. Scrapbook or do a craft to get my mind off the negative and remind me of better times

PART THREE: DREAM BIG: KNOW YOUR VISION

LIST AT LEAST FIVE GOALS - BIG OR SMALL- THAT YOU'D LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH THIS YEAR, BASED ON THE WORD YOU ARE CHOOSING.
1. LOVE MYSELF AGAIN
2. Smile more and enjoy the little things in life such as laughing
3. Have a better definition of self worth ~ See improvement in my health and overall being
4. Express feelings in forms other than yelling
5. Accept people for who/what they are and be able to MOVE ON

WHAT WOULD BE A "HOME RUN' FOR YOU IN THE COMING YEAR? THIS CAN BE A BIG DREAM, AN AMOUNT OF MONEY, A WAY THAT YOU LIVE EACH DAY. WRITE AS DETAILED AND IMPERFECTLY AS YOU CAN!
A home run for me would be seeing my family together again and happy. Accepting each others faults and learning and growing from each other. If we can't all be under the same roof hopefully we will grow stronger while apart. I have a feeling this is going to be a year full of learning from the mistakes of our past and LETTING GO in order to find HAPPINESS!!!!

Final Instruction: Use your voice to seal your intention. I'm doing this by my post now.
I'd love to hear thoughts and feedback. Feel free to email me if you don't want your info posted to the world. crown_jewels@sbcglobal.net

MOTIVATION ~ LET ME COUNT THE WAYS

I am almost overwhelmed by all the motivation & inspiration I am feeling today. So much that I feel the need to post and share with the world. No matter what stage you are, meaning if you are an avid scrapbooker, beginning scrapper or collector you will enjoy these blogs too. Go look at all the samples and be MOTIVATED. ~*~ Be carried away~*~ Get lost in other people's creativity/skills.
*click on the names and titles in all caps to be sent to their site*

A MUST HAVE IN EVERY SCRAPBOOKER'S WORLD IS BASIC GREY SUPPLIES.
Oh my gosh!!! I LOVE THIS LINE. They are always coming out with something new and unusual as far as paper lines go. I am currently taking Basic Grey classes once a month at my local scrapbook store. My girlfriends Nancy Bartling, Chris Crabtree & Diana Hardeman and I did this last year too. I will admit that nothing (on my part) was completed but I have some beautiful kits and started pages that all I need to do is devote time & energy to. They will knock your sock off people. LOVE ME SOME BASIC GREY!!! I have a little different outlook for 2010 when it comes to scrapbooking. I've got some catching up to do. I am looking forward to this weeks class. It's the first one to start out the new year and I bet the paper is cute as ever too. We take our classes at SCRAPBOOKS FROM THE HEART Looking forward to a wonderful class taught by Jennifer. Just so happens she's the owner of the local scrapbook store. LOVE HER! Check out the store blog too! SBFTH BLOG



APRIL MASSAD One would think I "know her", know her as much good things as I have to say about her. I've just been to several of her classes at a sadly to say closing scrapbook store JUST4KEEPS. She has taught my friends and I several stamping techniques. Too many to mention. She is a photographer in addition many other talents. On her blog you should check out her scrapbooking resume. Over the top crazy talented. I've always enjoyed her Technique Tuesday classes. Hopefully she will teach again and we can follow her. I am amazed at how many times she has been published in my favorite scrapbooking magazine. You'll know what I mean after viewing her resume. MISS YOU APRIL.

JOYCE MCCALL
She is an instructor at my local scrapbook store SBFTH. (I frequent this store the most) Not to mention a QUICKUTZ Ambassador. Such a talented, creative, musically inclined, artistic and nurturing person. I could learn several pointers from her. We actually met through sports. My husband coaches her son Brody in football.

LISA BEARNSON
I've met her in person and taken a class that she taught at the Creating Keepsakes Convention in Tulsa. Truly and inspiration to sooo many scrapbookers.

CHRISTY TOMLINSON She is the founder of the scrapbook kit club I subscribe to called SCARLET LIME. Just the most unusual, new, bright, just that needed pop of glitz needed for the best scrapbook kits a girl could ever dream of. Using a lot of brands that I don't see much of at local scrapbook stores. I like her taste/style.

HEIDI SWAPP If you don't know her by name alone, YOU SHOULD! Brilliant. Love her work. Love her AmAzInG sTyLe!! Check out her website too: HEIDI SWAPP

TIM HOLTZ What can I say about this guy?? Loved by many of us fellow scrapbookers. Most know him by Distress Ink. He's a designer and has tons of fabulous instructions listed on his blog. Very useful. I enjoyed his post from April 17, 2009 regarding Transparent Illusions using various mixed media for forms of art.

TERI FODE Another photographer I stumbled across today. I also enjoy her INSPIRATIONAL BLOG

2010 Creating Keepsakes Dream Team ~ some of the members that I enjoy:
LAURA VEGAS
GINGER GRACE
KIM WATSON
ALLISON DAVIS
MAGGIE HOLMES FYI: She's beautiful and a uniquely talented photographer & scrapbooker.

JANUARY ~ STEP 1

Following my baby steps method of achieving my New Year Resolution it's time to set the goal of JANUARY.

CLEAN THE SCRAPBOOK / CLUTTER / CATCH ALL ROOM.
ORGANIZE THE VARIETY OF CRAFT MATERIALS SO THEY ARE EASILY ACCESSIBLE.
CONVERT BACK TO A BEDROOM FOR KYLE / GUEST BEDROOM.

People if you only knew how hard this task will be. I should take a before and after pic just so you will understand. This is something I continue to put in the back of my mind and have for almost a year since Kyle has not been at home.

*PIC TO FOLLOW SOON*

BABY STEPS

THE OLDER YOU GET THE TOUGHER IT IS TO LOSE WEIGHT BECAUSE BY THEN YOUR BODY AND YOUR FAT ARE REALLY GOOD FRIENDS.

Is this true or what? I saw this while surfing the internet this morning and thought what a wonderful topic. Being the new year and all. Seems like everyone wants to reduce body fat this time of year. It will hit again really hard late spring just before people get ready to hit the local lakes. I remember being that girl about 15 years ago.

So it's the 8th of January and I have yet to set any real new year resolution. What's up with that? Not so goal orientated these days. I need to be though so here goes~

TAKE BABY STEPS!!!

There is a lot I want to accomplish this year to get my life "back on track" for a lack of better words. I plan to set monthly goals and making them public might help hold me more accountable. That's part of my baby steps. Breaking them down into 12 months and accomplishing one at a time sure beats setting 12 and failing at them all at once. Sounds good to me!

WINTER BREAK 2009

Well it's officially 2010. I have not updated my blog in awhile and with that being said I plan to do better this new year. Do I hear the start of a new year resolution??? The whole Christmas break (2 weeks) have been fast & furious. Not to mention interrupted with BLIZZARD of 2009. I did not make that title up, we have the media to thank for that. It was non stop coverage the day the blizzard arrived. Oklahoma received a record amount of snowfall 14.1 inches (in one day) as a matter of fact. It was so bad that we canceled our normal Christmas Eve with the Anderson's (my mother & step-dad) and Pat & Ruth DeMeritt (grandparents). It was a mess to say the very least. CRAZY MESS!!! Another reason for the cancellation is Mom & Mike were caught in a 50 car pile up on interstate I-40 in Midwest City. Mike was even on the news. We made fun of him because he also made The Today Show. Long story short ~ WE HAD A WHITE CHRISTMAS ~


This first pic is just 1 hour into the Blizzard of 2009
Next is my front door by 6:00 ish Christmas Eve
Then Sam I Am taking time out from the snow to pose for me
Same goes for Miss Molly ~ Her first snow



Mr. King wanted a piece of the action too this is just the beginning of the snow drifts
Mike tried to shovel to keep it down off the front porch~ Good luck with that Mike
Check out the next door neighbors front yard.

Nothing was normal about this Christmas. NOTHING!!! We celebrated Christmas Eve at our house. Just me, Mike & Cameron. Open gifts, ate chili, started a fire and watched TV. The next day we attempted the annual Ash Family Breakfast. Only Tiffany, Breighlee & Chase made the trip. Wendy and her troops were snowed in and stuck. So this too was going to have to be rescheduled. Later that afternoon we went to my mom's house. The trip getting there was something else. I've never seen snow drifts that high. Pretty cool but stinky timing. There were wrecks all over the place and signs of abandoned vehicle from the madness on Christmas Eve. We did not have Christmas with my Dad & Sandy the weekend prior to Christmas because they went out of town. December 22 ~ Jan 2nd. Lucky turds missed the entire blizzard. They enjoyed it on some beach in Dominica Republic. So you know what that means. No JC King's Dirty Santa. Then we get the call that the big King Christmas is canceled completely. WHAT??? Okay so that too is being rescheduled. Then their is Aunt Edith and Papa Aebischer's get together. The weather made it too hard for him to travel here from Granite, OK.


Just one of the abandoned vehicles we saw on the way to my mother's house

I was not much in the Christmas spirit this year. Very much missing Kyle and just not in the mood for all the crap that goes along with the holidays. Thankfully the roads were fine by that Sunday. All I cared about was safely getting to the interstates~ that is what was easily drivable. We were able to go visit Kyle. That made it all better to me. I just wanted to see him and hug him since I had not been able to since my birthday. It was a great visit. Kyle & Cameron horse played. We all laughed so much. We seemed to all be in good spirits. Brought happiness to the close of madness the previous 4 days.

So back to work for 3 days then off 4 more to ring in the New Year. We had decided to keep it low key. No fuss. No getting all dressed up. So with kids and all we rung in the New Year at our house with some of our very close friends. Cyndi, Issac, Sam, Blu, Heather, Bryan, Mason. The kids played video games while the adults shared in some drinks and played a little rock band. That was a lot of fun not to mention competitive. Sure made for some great pictures. The rest of the time off we did some minor cleaning and lounged around the house and enjoyed the fireplace a lot.

Slowly but surely we are knocking those reschedule Christmas get togethers down. Let me put it this way January 4th and I still have 2 Christmas' to celebrate. We made time this past weekend to cook breakfast for the Ash Family and everyone was in attendance. All nieces & nephews in addition to Shirley & David. It was nice. After they left we went to Ruth & Pat's house for pizza, presents, football and catching up. It was a great visit as we exchanged presents and watched OSU get defeated in the Bowl Game. Sorry J, had to mention that loss.

Got to share an interesting show Mike and I stumbled across yesterday. Dexter. A series on Showtime. OMG where have we been? This show is so addictive. It's in season 4 and my my it's like watching a train wreck. It leaves you wanting more. Mike and I got I think6-7 shows watched from the current season and have now decided to buy the previous 3 and be completely caught up. It's that good folks. Intriguing to say the very least. Looking forward to good TV this week even if I have to play catch up with the DVR. That thing is a god send for sure. Last night Desperate Housewives and Brothers & Sisters did not disappoint. I am glad it's January and back to no re-runs. This week brings the all new start to The Bachelor & Biggest Loser.

It's Monday morning. I am at the office updating my blog and reminiscing about the last two weeks and planning my TV schedule for the week. I'm sure that is not what they want to be paying me for. I have tons of pictures to get organized and posted. I guess I should get busy 'printing too. FYI: Walgreen's is having a 9 cents a print sell.