To Do List

If I don't write it down I'll forget so here goes:
1.  Paint front door.
2.  Paint rooster with chalkboard paint and bring in off the porch. ;)
3.  Send Katy Krumm the lemon pepper chicken recipe.
4.  Go to Round Table meeting
5.  Nails
6.  Add that Snickers Bar I just ate to my WW online.
7.  Give Ruth the Tammy Worcester books. She's going to be so happy!
8.  Pray for friends that have special requests.
9.  Pay bills and check to see that mom was able to pay hers.
10. Text Ashley.
11. Water plants -- might not need it after today!
12. Floor for bedroom
13. Movie....zoo one and horse one
14. Hang pics above our bed so they don't fall on our head!!!
15. Flowers for umbrella wreath
16.  Send card to Amber
17.  Call the yard people to spray
18. Charge iPad.
19. Update iPads for Shayanne.
20.

How observant are you?

I'm usually pretty observant of anything on the computer - sites, layouts, design, etc.  However, I guess on my own space I don't really see things quite so well.  For example, I am just noticing that the title of my blog, this one, is not showing up because it blends right in with the background....duh!

I've been thinking about how often this happens in real life.  We think things are what we THINK they are when reality they may be quite different.  Like proofreading your own document -you read what you know it is suppose to say but there can be errors everywhere that you miss.

It's so easy to allow your brain to become lazy.  You have to work at keeping it fresh.  I've found a great little website to do just that...http://www.lumosity.com/app/v4/personalization.  This site has brain games that keep us alert and on task.  Take a look.  Can't hurt and if you are a 50 something like me, you may NEED it.

Have a great day!  (Now off to fix the color on this blog site name.)

This and that...

~~~
Yesterday I helped with a UIL (University Interscholastic League) competition for elementary students.  It was so exciting to hear the conversations students were having...they were enthusiastic, proud, and competitive.  They were also supportive of each other which was wonderful.  We seem to lose that as kids get older. 

~~~
This week has been one that I've found myself turning to God on numerous occasions - not just for me but for family and friends, friends of friends and even strangers.  We are so lucky when we are young because we lead such a happy-go-lucky life.  But as I get older, I find that I am constantly worrying about illnesses, crisis, and day-to-day challenges more and more...not just mine but those of others as well.  Thank goodness God is always there to listen and he has been there to hear and heal as well.

~~~
I'm looking forward to the weekend.  Massage in the morning - yay!  Then car testing for Mom in the afternoon.  She's decided to get a smallish SUV!  It took some coaxing to get her to go SUV instead of car but I think I've convinced her that getting in and out of an SUV will be easier than a car.  Her knees are so bad that it is super hard for her to raise up out of the car seat.  She's interested in one by Toyota and the small Cadillac SUV.  We shall see how it turns out.

~~~
Diet update - so far I'm being somewhat good.  It's hard to break from sodas and sweet tea though.  I think I can do everything else but I have those around all day long.  Trying hard to drink more water...but ick!  I just keep telling myself..."you don't want to be the fat teacher, you don't want to be the fat teacher!!!" 

I'm going to have to figure out a menu for mom to fix that isn't fattening.  She cooks when she is here but it is usually good southern cooking - always with potatoes, bacon grease in some of it and bread most of the time.  This has to change or I'll never lose the gut.  Ha ha - I'll keep you posted.

Incentive - finally!!

I'm a fat cat!

For several years I have been in need of losing weight!  Oh large amounts!!!  I know I need to do it.  I know what needs to be done.  I know how to do it.  But the incentive has never quite reached the point of really making it worthwhile to me.

It has now.  I'll most likely be going back into the high school classroom.  I'll be working with high school students again - yikes!  I DO NOT WANT TO BE THE "FAT" TEACHER!!!  So the diet has begun, the exercise will begin in a few days - have to move the treadmill to the garage and get the t.v. hooked up so I don't bore myself into quitting. 

Seriously folks.  I think this is just what I needed to get started!  Now let's see how it goes.  I'll report back periodically - NO I will not be posting how much I weigh - maybe how much I lose though.  Your kind words and prayers will be appreciated. 

I feel good about this.  I can do this.  I WILL do this.

Collard Greens...

Oh yes I did see an elderly gentleman parked beside the road

with a sign on the back of his truck saying he had collard greens FOR SALE!!!

Have you ever eaten collard greens?  I have.  It's amazing how big the plant leaf is and how much it reduces when cooked.  It boils down to nothing.  They are suppose to be good for you but I'm not sure how when you have to put so much bacon and/or grease in them to season them.  Seems like that defeats the purpose.  I don't really care for them that much.  My mom says she likes them about once a year and that's all.  Ha!  Makes you want to just run out to that old man's truck and buy a bunch doesn't it.

Below is the finished product.  Yum Yum!

   

I posted three versions - everyone seems to make it a bit different.

Now run on out and get you some greens today.  I know you want to!!!

Changes

I found out yesterday there will be a change in my life next year.  I believe God has a plan and there is a reason for this change.  I appreciate also that I do not have to wonder about my future - now I know what to expect...sort of.  :)

Change is usually looked at with negativity; however, I believe in fate.  Changes that occur do so for a reason.  We may not know that reason for a long time or even never, but I truly believe it's for the best.  My goal is to be positive when change occurs...that's a challenge sometimes.

This year we've had lots of changes where I work, especially with technology.  It was not a happy situation to be in this year at first but as time has progressed, I think I see people actually liking the changes - at least I hope so.  I've been fortunate to be able to help them through the process by training and assisting.  (These were changes to programs and technology we use.)  It has been great fun watching the light bulb come on as they realized how to do something or that it will help them!  So rewarding!

The next time you go through a change, try to stay positive and look at it with optimism.  It sure makes life happier.

Pinterest. Addicted. Yes.

I am admitting it.  I am addicted.  But not in the way that I have to be ON Pinterest all the time, but in the way that I feel it will "HELP" me.  Seriously. 

And in fact it already has - I find all kinds of things that I COULD do in my home to organize!  I started with my laundry room.  The room is done but now I need to do the closet.  Problem is, it can be expensive also. 

If I had all the money in the world, I'd buy containers!  Yep, and they'd all be clear so I could see what was in them....learned that on Pinterest too.  Did you know there is a container for EVERYTHING! 

Another thing I wonder about now that I'm addicted to Pinterest....how much weight does the average Pinterest addict gain while Pintering?  All I know is that every time I'm on it, I get up starved.  The most delicious pictures and recipes ever and of course they all look EASY!  I bet Paula Dean is on it too!!!!  I bet one of her Boards is labeled "BUTTER"!!!!

Some things on Pinterest are strange though.  Like I have a friend, who will remain nameless but you know who you are, pins those little curved campers from the 1950's.  She seems to adore them.  I don't get it, but who knew there were that many pictures of them available and that there are groups of people that LOVE them so much!  This was the first clue that told me I was addicted....first, I don't like to camp.  Second, I don't see a need to pin them or make a label for them.  Third, while they are cute in an odd sort of way, is there a need for them?  What's the purpose?  With that said, I admit I enjoyed EVERY SINGLE MINUTE I spent looking at her pins of these funky, old campers. 

Yep, that's when it hit me.....I'm addicted.

If you would like to be addicted, and are not on Pinterest, please let me know.  I'll send you an invite!!!