tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46439438676014079502024-03-05T16:23:52.740-05:00Life Along The WayUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger237125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643943867601407950.post-18412914139114240152015-01-19T14:59:00.000-05:002015-01-19T14:59:13.178-05:00New directionSo, lately I've really been thinking about a new direction for my blog. What is it that I want to really talk about? What is it that I love? I really love sewing, and gardening, and my animals, and cooking! Would people really read a blog about my boring life? Obviously at one time lots of people did, but not so much any more. Is that because I'm boring? Or because I don't blog hardly at all any more? Or maybe everyone just figured out that I really AM a boring person?<br />
<br />
There are several things that I'm thinking of doing here. One is buying my own .com. I've come up with a good name, but of COURSE I would keep my Life Along The Way, even though the .com for that is already taken. :( One of the other things that I've thought of doing is moving to Wordpress. As much as I hate to think of moving, it might be necessary. It's easier to really get things "nailed down" in WP versus Blogger. As much as I LOVE Blogger (I published my very first blog 7/30/04 on a blog I no longer write on, but still have in archives)<br />
<br />
I will let everyone know what my final decision in when I've made it.<br />
<br />
Thank you all for being loyal blog followers!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643943867601407950.post-54094922806626051982015-01-10T12:48:00.000-05:002015-01-10T12:48:34.011-05:00Why Greyhounds are AWESOME! Let me first start off by telling you a little bit about Greyhounds. These amazing creatures are the only dog that are mentioned in the Bible, at least the King James Version. They can reach speeds up to 45 miles per hour in three strides! Greyhounds are originally from either Ireland or Egypt, depending on which side of the debate you are on. They also make great pets for those in apartments, or in big houses, and I'm going to tell you why!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We adopted our first Greyhound, Doc's Whipper, in 2009, at the begrudging of my husband. He actually wanted a Black Lab puppy, but, I was not wanting to take on the challenge of a puppy with both of us working full time and having 2 kids as well. That's when I thought about the beautiful Greyhounds that I had seen at the Mile High Kennel Club when I lived in Colorado. They were just stunning creatures! I had always thought that these majestic creatures would be so high strung, that they would absolutely need a immense area to run in. When I found our adoption group, Greyhound Crossroads, I started reading more about these wonderful animals. It turns out, that they spend most of their days sleeping! We ended up falling in love with Doc, a beautiful red brindle male who had just turned 2.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_5uGLvekPl_Nqo2TR2KA6eNyHz6l1p38vL9NWAypX1Yp0Hle_FVueJ-3LV1-oVDSW4fg3BXFtDKbJqvzCy9qL29OB0v3sndrYsQD3R-s1fnmmwdnA3LX-RK519tAoZNaFGI92sOyOD6Yy/s1600/DocWhipper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_5uGLvekPl_Nqo2TR2KA6eNyHz6l1p38vL9NWAypX1Yp0Hle_FVueJ-3LV1-oVDSW4fg3BXFtDKbJqvzCy9qL29OB0v3sndrYsQD3R-s1fnmmwdnA3LX-RK519tAoZNaFGI92sOyOD6Yy/s1600/DocWhipper.jpg" height="227" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>How could you resist this face?!</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<i> </i>When we first brought Doc home, we were a little nervous that we would do something wrong. It was almost immediate that he laid down on the floor and "roached," where he turned over and stuck his legs up in the air like a dead cockroach (at least that's how they describe it!). He had found his forever home, and we had found our heart dog!He quickly became our other dog, Lilly's, best friend. We learned so much about Greyhounds in that first few months that you would never learn in a book. For example, did you know that Greyhounds usually don't bark? Doc does, which makes him not the normals. They also LOVE to squish into tiny beds, or at leas ours do. Greyhounds are also considered the cat of the dog world as they do like to clean themselves. They don't really have a smell to them, so only need baths every few months or less. (We give our Greyhounds a bath about once a quarter, sometimes only twice a year!) Greyhounds are also low shedding, and are usually very good for people that have dog allergies because they don't have very much dander. The down side to Greyhounds are that, sometimes when they come straight from the track, they don't know house manners. Things like walking up stairs, and not grabbing something from the kitchen counter are foreign concepts to them so they do need to be taught house rules, and given encouragement to try new things. They are also prone to bone cancer called Osteosarcoma. Some larger vets may offer cancer treatments for this type of cancer, while smaller vets may not offer these treatments. Greyhounds also need dental care, and need an experienced anesthesiologist as they are prone to complications with anesthesia. <br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
There are quite a few Greyhound adoption groups around the country, and if you need help finding a group, I would be more than happy to help you find a group in your area! Overall, these retired racers really just want to find a couch to curl up on and call their own. They don't call them the 45 mile per hour couch potato for nothing!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643943867601407950.post-75756768483430935682014-12-05T11:04:00.001-05:002014-12-05T15:23:54.411-05:00What would you do with an extra hundred smackers?Since we are on a military retirements pay for our main income these days, we have to make our money stretch as far as it will go. We do frugal things like make our own laundry soap, grow some of our own food, and reuse things whenever possible.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
One thing that we all use that is hard to save on. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Great quality razors!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Living in a military town, lots of our husbands go through razors like it's cool! Since retirement, I think Sam has been growing the same scruffy beard! I keep getting annoyed with it and make him cut it off, and it doesn't take too long before he starts growing it out again... much to my complaining!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Then we found out about Dollar Shave Club <a href="https://www.dollarshaveclub.com/our-blades" target="_blank">razors</a>! Seriously! How could life get ANY easier than having razors delivered to your front door for as little as $3 a month?! Now let me tell you, when you've got a pre-teen girl that thinks that she needs to shave her legs EVERY DAY, and myself who shaves every other day, and a teen boy who WANTS to shave every day (poor fella has blonde hair like his momma.. you can't even see it!! LOL) you go through a lot of razors!!!! By getting a subscription to DSC, you could save $100 <b><i><u>a year</u></i></b>! Who wouldn't want more jingle in the pocket?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So, I was thinking, what would *I* do with an extra $100?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>I would buy <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Qupid-Womens-Relax-01X-Riding-DISTRESS/dp/B00OJYB6HE" target="_blank">these</a> lovely Qupid knee high boots for $32.99</li>
<li>Or I would buy <a href="http://www.crazycollars.com/mg-0509.htm" target="_blank">these</a> tag collars for all my hound dogs $45</li>
<li>Or <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/164166670/handmade-leather-dog-collar-embossed-1?ref=sc_1&plkey=03330945535d06b42072911dd31af561251bceca%3A164166670&ga_search_query=leather+dog+collar&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery" target="_blank">this</a> beautiful collar for my beautiful Annie-dog $46</li>
<li><div>
Or maybe just buy a bunch of supplies for one of the craft ventures that I'm working on! (More on this at a later date!)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div>
As you can see, you could do a lot of things with $100! If YOU would like an extra $100, check out the <a href="https://www.dollarshaveclub.com/" target="_blank">Dollar Shave Club</a>, and buy yourself something nice with all the money you save!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/DollarShaveClub" target="_blank">Are you friends with Dollar Shave Club?</a><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/DollarShaveClub" target="_blank">Are you following Dollar Shave Club?</a></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643943867601407950.post-90392028892248752014-09-20T08:36:00.000-04:002014-09-20T08:36:06.832-04:00Scary FridaySo, I didn't write yesterday. I was too busy spending time with my daughter after a very scary day at school.<br />
<br />
Yesterday, while Sam and I were out doing things that we needed to do for the house, namely grocery shopping when it all started... I got a call that the school was on lockdown and that we would get a call when they had gotten the all clear. I immediately go into momma bear mode! Since we were in the middle of the commissary, Sam didn't want me to say anything too loud so I didn't start a panic or anything.<br />
<br />
It was a long couple of hours while I waited for the all clear call. Of course, facebook was NO help at all! The gambit run from they had a guy with a gun, to it was a guy with a bomb! We did finally get a call that everything was all clear after a police dog had went through the school.<br />
<br />
When Buggy got home, she said that they were all stuck in the bathroom for 3 hours because there were windows in the trailers that they were in! How freakin scary!!! I asked her why she didn't send me a text to let me know that she was okay, and she said that her teacher couldn't find her phone in her bag to bring it to her.<br />
<br />
One of my friends said that her sons teacher put them in a closet because someone jiggled the door handle and kicked the bottom of the door. I asked Buggy about it and she said that the resource officer was supposed to be doing that to all the doors to make sure that nobody could get into the rooms. I absolutely do not blame that teacher for putting her students in the closet. Not even a little bit! I was told that she was crying trying to keep all the kids calm. Poor thing.<br />
<br />
That prompted us to have a conversation about what to do in a situation like that. Buggy said that she would try to talk him down. LOL I told her that this wasn't Criminal Minds and she wasn't a member of the BAU, so she better just find herself somewhere to hide and stay there! LOL Crazy kid.<br />
<br />
Overall, I think that, unfortunately, this is going to become more and more common. I just pray that we can retake this country and become again like the once great nation that we once were.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643943867601407950.post-1290219832314715852014-09-18T07:32:00.000-04:002014-09-18T07:44:16.017-04:00Victoria's Secret SportSo, I got the opportunity to test out Victoria's Secret Sports workout capris and sports bra.<br />
<br />
Everybody knows how Victoria's Secret works. It makes your boobs look bigger, and your butt look smaller... or at least it's SUPPOSED to! ;-)<br />
<br />
I absolutely LOVE the capris!!!! If I could wear nothing but these capris, I would probably live out the rest of my life as a happy lady. They are snug, but not too tight. They are form fitting, but I don't feel self conscious. They hold things together, and surprisingly, there is no jiggle! (That's important to us that don't look like VS models.) I've worn them to lounge around, I've worn them to bed, I've even worn them <i>out of the house</i>! I did some yoga in them, and they were like a 2nd skin, tight in all the right places. Ahhh comfort!<br />
<br />
The Capris I got were these:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://dm.victoriassecret.com/product/760x1013/V407315_om_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://dm.victoriassecret.com/product/760x1013/V407315_om_f.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://www.victoriassecret.com/victorias-secret-sport/all-bottoms/knockout-by-victorias-secret-capri-vs-sport?ProductID=206942&CatalogueType=OLS&swatchImage=X16" target="_blank">{source}</a></span></div>
<br />
They are simply amazing! I absolutely advocate the purchase of mass quantities of these pants.<br />
<br />
The bra they sent me on the other hand... it was a bit awkward. It was comfortable once I finally got it on, just getting it on was a bit crazy! Well, first let me show you the sports bra I was sent to test.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://dm.victoriassecret.com/product/760x1013/V407305_om_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://dm.victoriassecret.com/product/760x1013/V407305_om_b.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://www.victoriassecret.com/victorias-secret-sport/sports-bras/incredible-by-victoriarsquos-secret-sport-bra-vs-sport?ProductID=192157&CatalogueType=OLS" target="_blank">{source}</a></span></div>
<br />
You see that bottom clasp right there? Yeah, it was a little awkward to get together. You would think after wearing a bra for the past 20+ years, I would be an expert on clasping those little buggers. NOPE! It actually did REALLY great holding everything up/together so I had very minimal bounce going on. I wish I would have gotten the zipper front sports bra, but, beggars can't be choosy! I do recommend this sports bra though! It did a wonderful job, even if I felt like an idiot trying to get it on.<br />
<br />
You can find all of these products on the <a href="https://www.victoriassecret.com/" target="_blank">Victoria's Secret</a> website <a href="https://www.victoriassecret.com/victorias-secret-sport/shop-all" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
*** This is a sponsored blog post. Influenster provided me with complimentary Victoria's Secret products to test and review as part of a contest. The opinions are my own and I did not receive any monetary compensation for any of this review. ***Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643943867601407950.post-30520290693547777362014-09-17T07:59:00.000-04:002014-09-17T08:01:11.702-04:00I'm becoming a local! *gasp*So, not too far from where I live, there is a town called Richlands. If you're like me, you read that all as one word sounding something like this "richlunds" but NO! That is NOT how you pronounce the name of the town!!! If you DO encounter a local and pronounce it like that, you will properly schooled and rightly told off! It's pronounced like two separate words Rich-Lands, like... the land was rich, just flip it around.<br />
<br />
This is no different than a few towns that I grew up close too. Russia and Houston. Both of those were pronounced differently (Roo-she and House-ton respectively) and you got an earful if you pronounced them like the rest of the world does. Another less known one was Lima... (Lie-muh, not like the one in Peru) and they don't get AS offended, but, they WILL correct you.<br />
<br />
This morning as I was driving Monkey to school, I almost turned towards Richlands instead of turning towards the school and I said "Oops! Almost went to Richlands!" I caught myself saying Rich-Lands again. It's happening more often than not these days. How long do you have to live in a place to be considered a "local?" That's a really hard question for a lot of military families. Are you a local when you buy a house? When you retire? When you change your drivers license to the state? What does it take?<br />
<br />
I have no doubt that if I were to move home back to my little small town, that I would still be considered a "local" even though I haven't lived there in almost 17 years. They would still all know me as "Rons Stepdaughter", even though my mom hasn't been married to him for just as long. I grew up there though. I'm sure LOTS of people have moved out, moved in, died, got marred, got divorced.... but when we went back there the beginning of September, it was honestly like we'd never left. We went to the local bar and had a couple drinks, and we knew the people there. Same people, just older I guess. It was honestly like stepping back in time. They were setting up for the "country fair." It's a tradition that I they have done for as long as I can remember. They close down downtown (all 2 streets LOL) and set up rides, booths, and food vendors and the whole town comes and enjoys some festivities. I grew up in a village. Yes, a village! There weren't even enough people that inhabited my hometown to even be considered a TOWN! The village (yes another village.. LOL) that was closest to us also used to do something similar, but they called it the Firemans Festival. As far as I know, they no longer have the Firemans Festival, which was a lot like our Country Fair.<br />
<br />
There are a few things that I miss about my hometown, and some that I don't. I miss feeling like part of a community, where it seemed like the entire town was at the football field on Friday nights to root on the HS team, and if you needed some sugar, your neighbor would be more than happy to lend you a cup or two. I miss going to the grocery store and running into people I know, and chatting about seemingly an important nothing. I miss knowing more people that I don't. I DON'T miss everybody knowing your business, even if you didn't want anyone to know. I DON'T miss that there honestly was not anything to do but get in trouble or do drugs as a kid. I complain about there not being anything to do here unless I want to drive an hour to do something, but there ARE things to do, I'm just <strike>too lazy</strike> not motivated to look for them. Overall, my hometown was great. I'm surprised that I moved away really. Some days I think maybe we should move back, but then I would feel bad for moving to my hometown and not Sams. (Even tho Sam lives in the frozen tundra that is northern Minnesota!!)<br />
<br />
Someday maybe we will be considered "locals" here and it won't matter. Even though I will ALWAYS miss that small town feel from when I was growing up.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643943867601407950.post-13715694305422453572014-09-16T14:05:00.001-04:002014-09-16T14:05:43.288-04:00Ortho apptSo, today I had my appointment with Ortho. I've been having back pain since the end of June/beginning of July, so my family doctor sent me to Ortho.<br />
<br />
My doctor was very nice. He's from London. I told him that Buggy was an Anglophile and he laughed. We talked about Dr Who, Sherlock, and Downton Abbey. Very nice man. He told me that, basically, I have a bone spur on my spine, but, it's not pressing on my spinal column, so he's not all that worried about it. He wants me to do some PT, and use some gel stuff on my back and see me back in 6 weeks.<br />
<br />
He then asked me if anyone had read me the report, and I said that my Dr had told me that they had found "something" but that it was not conclusive on what it was. He told me about the bone spur, obviously, but then he told me about a "spot" on my right lung that they suggested be looked at again in 6 months. That was something that my Dr had NOT told me about. When I left the office, I IMMEDIATELY called my doctors office and made an appointment. Not only to discuss this "spot" but because of my migraines as well. They do not seem to be getting better with the Imitrex, which is not good.<br />
<br />
Other than that, everything is just peachy!! :-)<br />
<br />
I'm making Cuban Pork Loin for dinner tonight. It's Bugs FAVORITE meal. :-) It's quite delicious. I might have to put the recipe up here.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643943867601407950.post-3551600185887765332014-09-15T13:43:00.002-04:002014-09-15T13:44:06.808-04:00Little down this morningSo, I got back on my low carb diet this morning. I took my weight and everything before I started so I can get my re-starting weight. I'm a little ashamed to say that it was 192. I was going to start doing some body weight exercises this morning as well, but, my migraine is still kickin, so, no exercising for me. I need to get the hubby to take my measurements as well. Maybe I'll be able to do that tomorrow morning.<br />
<br />
Since I've been dealing with this migraine for the 2nd day, I've been doing a lot of TV watching and sleeping. I'm one of those people that cannot sleep during the day, so, if I'm sleeping during the day, you know that I'm very sick or in a LOT of pain. This morning was not any different. I did take some more Imitrex, even tho I only have 2 more doses for the rest of the month now. That makes me a little nervous that I'm using these meds more than I "should" be.<br />
<br />
On the other hand, I am considering taking on a new adventure. Sam and I are talking about it right now. I'm not certain about it. It's a home based business, kind of like Scentsy, or ItWorks, or whatever... but it's actually all natural skin care products. You can do home parties or things of that nature. I'm just not sure that I am the right kind of person to do it. I do have one of <b><i><u>the best</u></i></b> marketing trainers wanting to train me, to take me under his wing, and to help me be successful. I'm just apprehensive because of the start up money that is involved. Maybe apprehensive is not the correct word. Maybe worried? I know that a lot of the home based businesses have a start up cost, mostly for the products that they send you to start your business. I guess we will see. Sam and I have some talking to do before we decide if this is right for our family or not.<br />
<br />
I'll keep you all (does anybody read this at all? LOL) informed about our decision. :-)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643943867601407950.post-16357006271207887552014-09-14T17:50:00.001-04:002014-09-14T17:50:38.735-04:00Two ingredient pumpkin muffins!Today, I woke up with the WORST migraine in the universe around 5am. I took some Imitrex, and went back to sleep until about 7:30am. I woke up and still had a very slight migraine. I started to get ready for church and BAM!! It came back with a vengeance. So, Monkey and I stayed home from church and I watched some Criminal Minds and Monkey played his game.<br />
<br />
I decided that I needed something sweet. Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures, but I PROMISE that these are the easiest things that you will ever make.<br />
<br />
All you need is a can of pumpkin and a box of spice cake mix.<br />
<br />
You mix the 2, put in greased muffin tins, and bake at 350 for 20 minutes.<br />
<br />
When you bring them out of the oven, they will be hot (obviously!!) so do not eat them, even though you will want to. (Trust me!)<br />
<br />
These are absolutely delicious!!!<br />
<br />
Sam and I have watched Criminal Minds since they got home from church, which he and Buggy brought home Sonic for lunch, and I put a roast in the crock pot this morning, but, I only had it on "keep warm" so it's totally not ready. :-/ Oops!!<br />
<br />
My head is starting to feel just a little bit better, but, it still hurts like the dickens, so, I'm not going to make this a long one.<br />
<br />
I hope you enjoy the recipe! Next time I make these, I promise to take pictures. ;-)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643943867601407950.post-13901498884482087042014-09-13T18:00:00.002-04:002014-09-13T18:01:14.418-04:00My Lifestyle ChoiceSo, back in November I decided that I was too fat. I had reached 225 pounds, and I felt like a blimp! My sister had been doing low carb since May of last year and had lost about 80 pounds, so she was the inspiration for me doing it.<br />
<br />
It's fairly simple, though most people that I tell how I'm losing weight often rebuttal with "There's no way I could give up bread/potatoes/rice/sweets/whatever" and that's when I just shrug and say "my want to be a healthier weight fuels my desire to give up those things." It's not like I have given up EVERYTHING! I still enjoy lots of things that I used to. Moreso actually! I don't count calories, I just eat when I'm hungry and let my body sort out the rest. I do have to "budget" my carbs though, so that's one thing. I stick to around 20 or so a day. I had lost 45 pounds, but then I got off track and gained about 8 back. On Monday we're going back to low carb though, so I'm not super worried about it.<br />
<br />
I do find various recipes around the internet. I <strike>don't usually </strike> <strike>hardly ever</strike> very rarely write down the source for my recipes, but if I have who wrote it, I'll include it in any recipes that I post.<br />
<br />
Today we went and picked up our new handgun! Buggy fell in love with a little pink camo .22 rifle. Sam said that we should get it for her for Christmas. I told him that if that's what he wanted to get her, then to go ahead! Monkey also would like a .22 as well. I, on the other hand, would really like to have a compound bow. I found a really nice one that has a 5-70 pound draw weight to it so it could literally be used for both Buggy and myself! She has already started looking for pink accessories to go with it. Crazy kid.<br />
<br />
Other than that, I've got some ideas coming up for blogging.. including my first vlog!! *gasp* Of course... I don't have any people reading my blog any more.. so... maybe eventually! :-)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643943867601407950.post-54111029977857283642014-09-12T15:52:00.002-04:002014-09-12T15:52:52.197-04:00Welcome back?So, I've been thinking a lot lately about how I miss writing, about how I honestly missing just sitting and thinking of what's going on around me and writing it all out. I really miss all my old blogging friends, not that I have any friends that blog any more... or do I?? Maybe I just need to write to get some things off my chest.. so here goes.<br />
<br />
So much has changed since I wrote over a year ago. Nicole ended up not moving away, but, we still don't hang out that often, which makes me sad, but, at the same time, I kinda feel... I don't know, maybe LAZY about it? *sigh* I don't know any more how to feel. It's like, how am I supposed to feel about anything any more? Maybe I'm just in a funk right now.<br />
<br />
I'm not sure if I ever wrote about it, but, last year around March I got a job with a company called My Pet Chicken. It was a great job! I got to work from home, I got to basically set my own hours as I could ask for time off whenever I needed it. Well, over the winter I was having some issues with getting my emails done on time. Well.. not really "on time" per say because we had up to 48 hours to get them done. Well, I got into a funk where I wouldn't log on and do them but every 3 or 4 days. My email supervisor talked to me and put me on "probation." So fast forward to a few months ago. My email supervisor had a baby, and went on maternity leave, which left someone else doing the email assigning. I'm not trying to place blame on them, because ultimately, it's my fault, but the emails weren't being assigned every day, and then some days they would be assigned REALLY late and then again they would be assigned REALLY early the next day and then I would get behind... it was a mess. I was not the only person that felt that way, and I even said something to our other supervisor about the emails being erratic. Like I said... I'm not trying to place blame on them. Well, I guess I apparently missed an email for an order cancellation. So, the order was never cancelled, and it was a huge mess. So, Monday my Supervisor called me while I was working and explained everything to me and told me that she was going to have to let me go. I was so heartbroken! I really loved my job and I'm very sad to have lost it.<br />
<br />
Not only did I lose my job, but, the VA has decided that Sams wrists, ankles, and back are "better" and so they've dropped him down to 90%, which means that we lost a BUNCH of money. It's kinda infuriating. It's crazy because he's just been "dealing with it" like a typical man and hasn't been going to the Dr about it. So, when he goes for check ups with the VA, he doesn't say anything and tries to be Superman about it, which lead them to drop him to 90% instead of 100%. Last month he went for his 6 month check up with the VA, and I went with him. He was going to let all of this stuff that we had talked about slide right on by!! His Dr asked if there were any other concerns and I said "Well, there are some things that he didn't talk about..." and that opened a whole other conversation! He now has to go for blood work, an MRI, and a bunch of other tests as well. In a way I hope that nothing is wrong, that everything is fine, but on the other hand, I WANT something to be wrong, so we can get back to 100%. Is that wrong of me? He DESERVES to be 100% disabled because of all the crap that he's been through, because of all the things he will now not get to do, and all of the things that he's had to give up because of what he's gone through.<br />
<br />
In other news, Sam went back to school! (Finally) He's studying accounting. He's always loved working with money... as crazy as that sounds because of how broke we are all the time. LOL We HAVE been doing better with that though. We went through Dave Ramseys Financial Peace University, and got back into the swing of things and started to get our debts paid off and I had way less stress about everything money wise. Now I'm almost back to where I was before with the being stressed out about money. We are okay... just very tight.<br />
<br />
I've downloaded a "writing prompt" thing that I'm going to start working my way through. Lets hope that we can get that working for me and I can get back to writing. HOPEFULLY I will see SOME people back? :-)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643943867601407950.post-38355464651227076602013-07-01T19:15:00.002-04:002013-07-01T19:15:47.028-04:00This just sucksI don't write here very much any more. Since I'm no longer a military spouse, I don't really feel like I connect any more.<br />
<br />But I did want to write this. Because I'm sad and I need to get it out.<br />
<br />
My friend Nicole is moving away. I haven't gotten to hang out with Nicole as much as I would have liked in the past year, but, I would consider her one of the closest friends I have here.<br />
<br />
This is the shitty part of living in a military town.<br />
<br />
This is where I just want to scream "I HATE YOU MARINE CORPS!!!"<br />
<br />
I hate the fact that every friend I make is subject to moving away in as little as 3 years. (And sometimes even sooner!)<br />
<br />
I haven't been this emotional about somebody moving since it was me moving away from Ohio.<br />
<br />
I know it seems silly, because I haven't hardly seen her in an entire year save a handful of times, but, I love Nicole to itty bitty bits! I love her step-son. I love her husband. I love their dog.<br />
<br />
I didn't even shed this many tears when my "best friend" and I got into a huge fight and she decided that she didn't want to be friends with me any more. (I sort of knew that one was coming anyways, and she did say some extremely unnecessary hurtful things which made it easier to not care.)<br />
<br />
I just don't want her to move, and I know it's selfish of me, but I can't help it. It's not like I make friends easily, and I loved Nicole from the moment that I met her.<br />
<br />
I just hate it. :'(Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643943867601407950.post-36242503648647295642012-08-16T07:21:00.000-04:002012-08-16T07:21:47.306-04:00Do you like to save money on kids clothes?Then let me tell you about a great little website!!<br />
<br />
thredUP is a really amazing website! I've been a member for quite a long time actually, just never thought of sharing about it on my blog! *DUH!*<br />
<br />
What thredUP is, is a website that sells a TON of name brand kids clothes at a discount price. (Sometimes as much as half off the original price!) And, when you have clothes that don't fit any more, send them back, and they pay you for them! You can either use the money to buy more clothes from them, or you can cash it out. We just sent in a BIG bag of Bug and Monkeys clothes and I'm ANXIOUSLY waiting for that to show up in my account so I can get those two a few more nice things for school!<br />
<br />
They have sizes Newborn all the way to size 20(childrens)! These are VERY nice clothes! I buy them for my children, and have never ever had a problem with them. The last order that came to our house was 2 shirts for Monkey, and a dress and capelet for Bug. On the long sleeved Tony Hawk shirt there was a little sticker on it that said that there was a flaw so it was free! (There was one on the packing slip as well.) We checked all over the shirt and couldn't find the flaw that they were referring to anywhere! This company has extremely high standards!<br />
<br />
Also, if you join now thru <a href="http://www.thredup.com/100933" target="_blank">my referral link (click here)</a>, you get $10 towards your first purchase! That's almost enough to buy an entire outfit!! (or a really nice pair of Ralph Lauren jeans!! ;-P)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643943867601407950.post-74976514022451811032012-07-23T07:08:00.002-04:002012-07-23T07:08:49.999-04:00Insanity and my kneeWell... I know I said I would blog my Insanity workouts.... and I was!!<br />
<br />
Until I hurt my knee again. :-/<br />
<br />
I'm not giving up! I'm just giving my knee time to recoop and then I'll be back at it again. :-)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643943867601407950.post-59238323710263467742012-07-16T16:16:00.001-04:002012-07-16T16:16:19.902-04:00Insanity - Day 1So... I did it. I started Shaun Ts' Insanity today.<br />
<br />
I have this to say:<br />
<br />
<b><i><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">I THINK I'VE LOST MY MIND!</span></u></i></b><br />
<br />
LOL<br />
<br />
It was only the fit test and I thought I was going to vomit and pass out! LOL<br />
<br />
I forgot to take my "before" picture before my workout this morning... so I will have to get one of the kids to do it later today. :-P<br />
<br />
In 60 days from now (which I will be blogging for) I hope to see a significant difference in my appearance!<br />
<br />
MAYBE at day 30 I will post pictures... we will see!! ;-)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643943867601407950.post-2705069664555164122012-07-02T08:58:00.003-04:002012-07-02T08:58:28.892-04:00Monday weigh inI'm not going to lie. I'm going to keep it real here.<br />
<br />
I've had a VERY emotional week, I did way too much eating, not enough exercising, and I gained FOUR POUNDS!<br />
<br />
This sucks... sucks terribly!! I don't EVER want to see another increase in the scale ever again! :-(<br />
<br />
My husband and I ordered Insanity. It's going to be TOUGH! I know this, and I TRIED to tell hubs that I thought he should start with something a little "easier," but that's what he wanted. We're going to do it together, starting next Monday, 09July. I just hope that after a few days, when he's sore in places he didn't know he had, that he will still keep it up! If he doesn't give up, then neither will I.<br />
<br />
I'll also be restarting my 90-days of blogging again, even tho it's only a 60 day program. Hubs will be home for 1 week, and that will hopefully be enough to get over the initial soreness, and keep him active when he travels again for work.<br />
<br />
I'm going to clean up my eating again this week.. do a few workouts... see if I can't lose a little bit this week!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643943867601407950.post-63189150489612531362012-06-25T21:27:00.001-04:002012-06-25T21:27:48.219-04:00Monday weigh in<div><p>I know I said every day for 90 days. I'm sorry. I had some personal things come up and felt that I needed to take care of them before my blog. I hope y'all (you? Lol) are okay with that. (Cos if not, I don't really care anyways... lol)</p>
<p>Anyways!! I lost another 3.6 pounds this week! Wooooooot!! I'm excited!! </p>
<p>That's all I have for right now!! <3</p>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643943867601407950.post-89518450012102942862012-06-22T17:42:00.000-04:002012-06-22T19:28:46.404-04:00Day 4I'm taking a rest day today! We took our puppy for her final puppy shots! Then we took her for her very first walk at PetSmart! :-) She got a new harness and leash that will last her instead of the little tiny "I'm a 4.5 pound puppy" collar! :-)<br />
<br />
We went to Chick-fil-a for lunch, and I got a grilled chicken sandwich and a fruit cup with a diet lemonade. MAN was that sour!! LOL<br />
<br />
For dinner we are having beef stew. Yes, it is SUPER hot here, but, I didn't take that into account when I made the meal plan. (Duh!! LOL) After dinner we are taking the dogs on a walk. :-)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643943867601407950.post-83101906037965165372012-06-22T17:34:00.001-04:002012-06-22T17:35:14.921-04:00Day 3Turbo Jam again this morning! 45 Cardio Party! I didn't really know the "routine" so I didn't get quite as good a workout as I do with the 20, but I'll learn it and it will be a good one! For breakfast I had Coco Wheats. I know it's a kids thing... but I really like 'em! LOL<br />
<br />
For lunch I had leftover chili again! Num!! That stuff is SO good!!!<br />
<br />
(And again for dinner because I forgot to put the stuff in the crock pot this morning!)<br />
<br />
<br />
***<br />
Hey sorry this didn't go out yesterday!! I fell asleep before I posted it!! LOLUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643943867601407950.post-28809997148529706532012-06-20T10:15:00.002-04:002012-06-20T22:09:47.289-04:00Day 2<div><p>Another Turbo Jam workout this morning!! 20 minutes of cardio. I was taking a break between cardio and abs to check on our chick order (which was sent to the wrong post office... LOL) and Bug woke up and decided that I got a quick kiss and she was going to watch TV! Then we went to pick up the chicks. (Which are ADORABLE!) I didn't get my ab workout in, which is okay, but not optimal. Breakfast was 2 pieces of whole wheat bread, toasted, with butter.</p>
<p>Lunch I had chili (see recipe, previous post) and a sandwhich.</p>
<p>Dinner was taco salad! Yum!!</p>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643943867601407950.post-28424350120475572062012-06-19T22:48:00.000-04:002012-06-19T22:48:00.509-04:00Day 1This mornings workout was Turbo Jam 20 minute workout, followed by a "late" breakfast" (at 8am, but I'd been up since 5:30) of chocolate Shakeology, made with 2% milk and a Tablespoon of Jif PB.<br />
<br />
Lunch was 2 lunch meat sandwiches and cottage cheese with pineapple chunks!<br />
<br />
Dinner!! Ah glorious dinner! I made Eggplant Parmesan! No pasta, just eggplant. it was delish!! <br />
<br />
During commercial breaks in Americas Got Talent (rerun) I did 15 crunches/sit-ups, 15 push ups, and 15 squats! I'll probably be sore in the morning! :-PUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643943867601407950.post-35178868485380817002012-06-19T07:06:00.003-04:002012-06-19T07:07:17.223-04:00Something differentSo, I'm going to be doing something different.<br />
<br />
I'm going to blog every day for 90 days.<br />
<br />
I'm going to blog my workout, my meals & snacks, possibly with pictures, recipes, and weight! Of course, not all of those will be every day, but, the meals, and workouts will be! Starting tonight! So be on the look-out! :-)<br />
<br />
(Talk about extreme accountability!! :-D )Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643943867601407950.post-30761953520515750002012-06-18T07:19:00.000-04:002012-06-18T07:19:48.620-04:00Monday Weigh-in and Chili!Today is my little girls 9th birthday. I can't believe 9 years ago she was just a tiny little thing wrapped up in a pink blanket! She has grown SO much, in more ways than one! She's super smart, she's in all advanced classes in school, she is a helper at our church, and everywhere we go, she always knows someone, and if it's an adult they always tell me what a sweet girl she is. Makes my heart smile. :-)<br />
<br />
Anyways! My weigh in! I lost! WOOHOO! I'm at 204.6 as of this morning. According to my Sparkpeople.com goal tracker, I SHOULD be at 201, but, that's okay! I'm slightly behind, but, not enough to be a big deal. I will figure out how to lose that "extra" at some point in time.<br />
<br />
Yesterday I put chili in the crock pot before we went to church, and when we got home, the entire house smelled so good I wanted to eat the air! It was REALLY good! Tho, if you have or have people in your family that have sensitive mouthes, scale back on the chili powder a tiny bit. :-D<br />
<br />
<u>Crock Pot Chili</u><br />
<i>Serves 10-15</i><u> </u><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>1 lb ground turkey</li>
<li>1 28oz can diced tomatoes with juice</li>
<li>1 8oz can marinara (or regular tomato sauce)</li>
<li>1 small diced red pepper</li>
<li>1 small diced green pepper</li>
<li>1 medium onion, diced</li>
<li>3 stalks celery, diced small</li>
<li>3 medium carrots, cleaned and shredded </li>
<li>4-5 TABLESPOONS chili powder (I used 5, kids said it was a bit spicy)</li>
<li>1 teaspoon cumin</li>
<li>1/2 teaspoon garlic salt</li>
<li>1/2 teaspoon black pepper</li>
<li>1 15oz can of red kidney beans, drained and rinsed</li>
<li>1 15 oz can pinto beans, drained and rinsed.</li>
</ul>
<ol>
<li>In a large non-stick skillet, crumble ground turkey and brown, turning often until pink is gone, 6-7 minutes. Transfer to 6-quart slow cooker</li>
<li>Add remaining ingredients and gently mix</li>
<li>cover and cook for 8 hours on low, or4 hours on high. </li>
</ol>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643943867601407950.post-78965895267666491122012-06-11T07:38:00.001-04:002012-06-11T07:40:28.046-04:00Monday Weigh-in and a Recipe!So, my husband left last night to go to Quantico Virginia for 3 weeks, so these past few days has been "celebration time!" For those of you that don't know, my birthday is tomorrow (12June) and my daughters birthday is next week (18June). We ate out a few times. I didn't get exercise in as much as I would have liked. Wednesday night Bug came home from school and was crying saying her throat, head, and stomach hurt. I took her to the doctors and she had strep AND the flu. Then Monk started throwing up later that night. They both missed the last 2 days of school. :-/<br />
<br />
Anyways! No excuses! I weighed in this morning, and I'm back to 207. GAH! It's okay tho. I didn't go any higher, and I'm getting back on the Turbo Jam wagon, back on the healthy eating wagon, and we'll be fine! :-) Sam is gone for the next 3 weeks, so it gives me time to work out a new routine with the kids being home for exercise and everything else.<br />
<br />
Last night we had some REALLY good nachos!! (I LOVE NACHOS!!) I thought I would share the recipe with y'all!<br />
<br />
Cheesy Chili Nachos (adapted from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Eat-More-What-You-Love/dp/0762445890/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1339413043&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Eat More of what you Love</a>)<br />
Serves: 4 <br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>8 oz lean ground turkey</li>
<li>3/4 cup diced onion</li>
<li>1 1/2 teaspoon chili powder</li>
<li>1 teaspoon cumin</li>
<li>pinch of cayenne pepper</li>
<li>1/2 cup diced tomatoes</li>
<li>1/2 can black beans, drained and rinsed</li>
<li>3 oz whole grain tortilla chips</li>
<li>2 teaspoons butter</li>
<li>2 teaspoons flour</li>
<li>1/2 cup chicken broth</li>
<li>pinch of garlic</li>
<li>1 cup shredded cheddar cheese</li>
</ul>
<ol>
<li>Add ground turkey and onion to medium skillet at medium high heat. Cook until meat is browned and onion is soft, about 10 minutes</li>
<li>Stir in chili powder, cumin, and cayenne peper. Stir in tomatoes and 1/2 cup water. Reduce hit to low, cover, and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in beans and heat until warm.</li>
<li>In a small saucepan over low heat, melt butter and add flour, whisk until smooth. Add chicken broth and garlic and bring to boil, stir continuously until thick. Remove from heat and whisk in 1/2 cup of cheese at a time. </li>
<li>Spread chips out over plate (or platter). Spoon meat mixture evenly over chips, and drizzle cheese over chili. Top with favorite garnish, and serve!</li>
</ol>
It really filled you up with all of the whole grain chips, and it was lower in calories!! (around 200) <br />
<br />
We watched Secret Millionaire and Extreme Makeover: Weightloss Edition last night. I really like Sunday night "feel good TV." Secret Millionaire makes me happy that there are still people out there willing to help. Gives me hope for the human race. EM:WE makes me REALLY happy! I absolutely LOVE <a href="http://www.chrispowelltrainer.com/" target="_blank">Chris Powell</a>! During the program, he challenged everyone to do his "commercial exercise" which was 15 sit-ups, 15 push-ups, and 15 squats. He said that doing that during the commercials was something easy to do and it gave you quite the workout. I did that for about an hour.. maybe a little longer. I can say that my abs and arms are a bit sore today! I guess that means that I need to do that every night while we watch our TV shows.<br />
<br />
Anyways! Busy day today! I thought I would share with you a little video about the program that I'm currently doing. It's called Turbo Jam, and it's REALLY fun!! If you have any questions about this, or would like to order a copy of this AMAZING workout, let me know!! <br />
<br />
<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,47,0" height="412" id="flashObj" width="486"><param name="movie" value="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1" />
<param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" />
<param name="flashVars" value="videoId=1803292125&linkBaseURL=http%3A%2F%2Fbeachbodycoach.com%2Fesuite%2Fhome%2FNachoqtpie%3Fbctid%3D1803292125&playerID=5094541001&playerKey=AQ~~,AAAAAGFvgpA~,Dme6miR5QNUh1ZLcCDJ5iaInMZs2JHDS&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" />
<param name="base" value="http://admin.brightcove.com" />
<param name="seamlesstabbing" value="false" />
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" />
<param name="swLiveConnect" value="true" />
<param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" />
<embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=1803292125&linkBaseURL=http%3A%2F%2Fbeachbodycoach.com%2Fesuite%2Fhome%2FNachoqtpie%3Fbctid%3D1803292125&playerID=5094541001&playerKey=AQ~~,AAAAAGFvgpA~,Dme6miR5QNUh1ZLcCDJ5iaInMZs2JHDS&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="486" height="412" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" swLiveConnect="true" allowScriptAccess="always" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643943867601407950.post-52653802782764276072012-06-04T08:16:00.000-04:002012-06-04T08:16:17.347-04:00Monday Weigh-inSo, I'm going to keep it real this week.<br />
<br />
I stepped on the scale and it said 206.8<br />
<br />
Yup... I gained.<br />
<br />
I kinda figured I would.. considering I worked out one day and didn't track any of my food. What the heck is WRONG with me?!<br />
<br />
I will be back at it today. Working on my Turbo Jam. I just have to remind myself that just because I had a gain this week, it doesn't mean I need to give up! I just have to be more diligent with working out and tracking my food!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1