Happy Thanksgiving....

Well tomorrow we are having:

Brined Herb Crusted Turkey
Sage Apple Stuffing
Mashed Potatoes
Zucchini
and
a Oreo Blizzard Ice Cream Cake to celebrate the Kid's 22nd Birthday.....

At the same time, I am babysitting my friend's Teacup Yorki Poo.  He's all black, funny little thing, the cats are twice his size and he's about a 3rd of their weight.  He's a definite lap dog - he is yappy and he does have a Napoleon Complex.  When I went to walk him, he tried taking off a teenagers leg - he only caught the kid's jean cuff, and I was a total dork laughing...

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Music Soothes My Soul...

I am thankful that I grew up in a home filled with music... Classical, Rock n Roll, Jazz, you name it... 

I can sit for hours in solitude and peace and listen to musicians like Stevie Ray Vaughan on his guitar... 

I can clean my house in half the time to Mozart...

I am thankful for having finally paid my car off, and looking forward to a few more years of NO CAR PAYMENTS!!!

I am thankful for the choice of cars!  I bought a Honda - and it will be kicking probably longer than I will...

I am thankful for the mail bringing my mother the Nars Lipstick Pencil I got her... I thought it was the most perfect color - and figuring an early Christmas gift or just a gift for that matter - would bring her cheer!  And what better - a beautiful colored lipstick.. I love Nars!  

Thankfulness.....

I am going to have to quit with the counting days to be thankful; my life is not allowing for it!

But, I am thankful for being busy and active, it's keeping my mental and physical side on the upside!

I am thankful for my wonderful son, who wabbles around at times with directions in life, but still has a good head on his shoulders!

I am thankful that my brother has my sister in law - they are such a sweet couple, and I am so proud of my brother, and so happy for her...that they have each other.

Happy Veterans Day!

Thankfulness Day 8 and 9....

Day 8 of Thankfulness

I am thankful for my ancestors who fought in the battle on Kings Mountain - where the monument was placed in honor of them and the men that fought with them...  that their sacrifices were well served and honored.

Day 9 of Thankfulness:

I am thankful for having the chance to travel with my son and visit the homeland of my ancestors who came to America during the Revolutionary War... this was taken in Germany at a palace near Bamberg where the Schmittsohn Vineyards are located... Such a beautiful place and surrounded by fields as far as you could see of Sunflowers.

Twisted Thankful #7

This woman told my employer that she was "scared" of me... I spoke curtly to her, and something about my having hurt feelings.  I don't know this woman from Adam... where does she come from? who is she? what's going on in her life? I don't know - I don't care... BUT, I learned a good lesson about needing to keep my mouth shut... the woman is a friend of a co-worker, and I had said, unbeknownst to me it would be repeated, that it really bothered me that this woman had the gall to ask me to stay late and do free work for her, but then snubs me when it comes to showing gratitude. 

SO when she signed documents under penalty of perjury and LIED and the court found out - she was caught - and she didn't like it... she lied and blamed someone else for her lying under penalty of perjury.  THAT's WHY she's SCARED.

Thankful for a few things - that I can see where my mouth got me in trouble - never reveal you are human and have feelings to someone you don't know; that the only reason this woman went to my employer is because she's guilty of being a liar and has to find a way to make herself look better.  That's fine... when I go home, when I go out with friends, when I live my life, she's not going to be there.... and I am very thankful!!!!

Work Work Work - Day #6 Thanks.....

I am thankful for my employers who put their faith in hiring me 15 yrs. ago, and today I am still here... Been through thick and thin with this business, and still hanging in there, adapting and changing to whatever the economy calls for and allows for me to continue to be employed and useful.  This job has taught me so much, and has been the one consistent thing in my life when it comes to "any" kind of relationship... 

I am thankful for my employers' help in assisting me in getting my Paralegal certificate with the State.  

I am thankful for their acts of generosity and kindness that have been shown to me over these years. 

I truly was blessed when I got this job!

I 

Diana C.... Day #5

When I first moved to this city 22 yrs ago, I was married with an infant.  My husband, who helped create the most wonderful being, and THANKFULLY that this man has played his part and is no longer a part of my life, insisted that I find work... wanting to always please and be the best wife, mother I could be, I fretted and worried because I could not find a job.  Times were tough, just like now, we were in a serious recession.  Unemployment was sky high, and in this city, it was who you know, not what you know that got you a job.  I didn't know anyone...

So, finally I found a job working an evening shift, but I needed a babysitter for the time between my leaving for work and husband coming home.  And, I met Diana who lived in our complex and had a baby the same age as mine... She convinced me to stop the insanity of working that night shift and just babysit at home - that way I could make money AND be with my baby... and I had her to take walks with, go to parks with the children, someone to talk to - introduced me to other people, and eventually was my life support through one of the toughest times in my life... 

I was alone in this city, thousands of miles from my family; I had a job in a law firm with a lawyer who liked to belittle people, throw things, and make you feel that you were unworthy of anything, especially a salary that could afford you a decent life... He could never keep employees for over a year - it was a revolving door - and I stuck in there for 3 yrs.  

While working for that creep, I took care of my child, paid high rent for the apartment that I had been living in with my ex-husband till the lease ran out, and all on the most pitiful salary.  

Because of Diana, I found my backbone and found new employment, a new affordable and safe home, put my child in good schools, and started dating and feeling better about myself.

She and I lost touch after her own divorce and her remarrying years ago, you know how things happen, interference by others, etc.

BUT, none of that takes away from the fact that I have great memories and I am very thankful for all that she did for me and what she was to me when I needed someone....

I hope that Diana knows this from Heaven... Diana passed away at the age of 45 in her sleep, so I can't tell her this or send her a message....

The Missed - Day # 4 - Thankfulness

Day #4 - of Thankfulness - missed due to a full schedule and activity yesterday!!!

Exploration

I am thankful that my family were not overbearing and smothering and allowed me to roam. My mother pushed me away from the television and books, and out the door on my bicycle.  On my bicycle, I rode through nature paths, neighborhoods, made friends, would go into churches and be amazed by the beautiful stained glass, find little stores full of interesting treasures and treats.  

When I left home, I still had this great desire to explore... I've been to many places in the USA, still have a LOT more to see, but I've seen QUITE a lot.  My State alone, Florida, I've been here and there and everywhere, from South Florida, the Keys, the Panhandle, many of the Springs, Central Florida - West Coast/East Coast, and swamps of North Florida that meet Georgia... places that make you think "Banjo Music" (so apropos).  

But, most of all - I have such fantastic memories of traveling with my son. I am so thankful that I had those years to now look back at and smile and laugh to myself or "ooooh and ahhhh" mentally of the things we've seen and done.  I pray that when he has a wife and children, he feels the need to travel and show them the world.

Thanks #3

Today I am thankful for my friends.... I cannot imagine life without the friends I have - they are such a source of fun, laughter, strength, support, generosity, energy, love, and so much more... Being away from family, you find that making a good friend is so important!  I have been blessed ....

One is in the hospital from having abdominal surgery.  She was suffering with a horrid infection from a tear in her intestines - one doctor went in and cleaned the infection and said take antibiotics and go home... 6 months later - she's now in the hospital having been dying from Sepsis from the infection caused from the perforation in her intestine - this doctor is different - he found the cause, cleaned up the infection, and she's now going to be in the hospital for about a week.  I am sad that I am so far away from her and can't be there to help her - so instead we just text back and forth and I try and send silly messages to make her smile... I will be visiting her at Christmas - so I can make up for my lack of absence during this time, and thankfully, she too has a good network of friends where she is to take my place and her family's place (she too is far far away from all her family)...

Thanksgiving - Day #2

The Thanksgiving Holiday is going to be upon us soon... which means my little Bird boy *my son who is not so little at ALL* will be turning 22 yrs. old!!!!  Thanksgiving is more than just a day of cooking and eating at my house - it's also a time to celebrate the birth of my one and only child...a treasure in my life, always.  I am so thankful that I was able to have him, to see that wonderful little imp grow up to be such a handsome, kind hearted, and intelligent young man... That's my thanks for today... 

I missed Day #1.... I was a bit busy... I am thankful for my parents and their good health... I miss them terribly - and pray every day that they will be on the same continent soon ... so I can pack up the car and go see them as I used to... I love and miss them so much!!!!!

Fun Evening...

After work today I went shopping and out for a bite to eat with a dear friend.  We found our favorite place for omelets closed - which was a great disappointment, so we went to California Pizza Kitchen.  I had:

Spicy poblano stuffed with chicken, cheese, corn & black bean salsa, wild mushrooms, spinach and eggplant. Topped with housemade avocado salsa verde and cilantro. (cal. 380) and a glass of unsweetened iced tea.  (it had corn, but I let that slide because it was less calories than the salad)

The Half Chopped BBQ Chicken Salad is 770 cal!!!

We then shopped around - played with all the L'Occitane lotions and moisturizers, then got samples of perfumes at Sephora and played with make up, and finally ended up at DSW where we spent a good hour looking and trying on shoes.... 

L'Occitane has the new Peony Scented hand lotion - really like.

Got a lot of walking around in the 4 hours we spent out...and thoroughly enjoyed it... Perfect ending to a day spent in office work drudgery.

Sugar Busters - Low Carb - Healthy Eating

In 2000, I found a book on eating/dieting that I loved - Sugar Busters.  I joined a group of others following the same diet - and - I learned a lot about eating healthy and carbs/sugars/etc.  

So, modifying things to my own habits/tastes, this is how I feel I am eating healthy and will also benefit with some good weight loss (this is my modification from all the low carb diets out there and others):

1.  WHITE - a deadly color unless it is feta or goat cheese
2.  NO ROOT VEGETABLES (Carrots, Turnips, Radishes, Potatoes...) - they are starch/meaning high on the sugar; Sweet potatoes as a treat are healthy... have half a baked sweet potato if you need one... if you are feeling extra frisky and want to feel that you are not denied something sinful - like fries - have sweet potato fries... but they aren't going to promote weight loss, only a healthier choice.  I love Sweet Potato fries!
3.  No Watermelon; nothing but sugar... even if it is natural... it's too much....
4.  Eat your vegetables... Brussell Sprouts, Cauliflower, Broccoli, Green Beans, Spinach, Kale (any super food veggies), Spaghetti Squash, Peppers, Tomatoes, Zucchini and Yellow Squash, you name it... just watch the peas.. they are starchy.
5.  Fruit at breakfast can't hurt - but limit it....because fruit is very high in sugar... grapefruit is wonderful, and now that winter is here -it will be high season for all those fabulous citrus fruits... quantity/limiting is where I find it is important when it comes to eating things that are so wonderfully healthy and delicious like fruit... being a glutton just because it is good for you does not promote weight loss.
6.  I don't really like iceburg lettuce because I feel it has no nutritional value other than "water"... I prefer mixed greens, spinach, romaine, and I love Baby Butterleaf....
7.  I make my own salad dressings.  For example, olive oil, italian seasoning, garlic, sea salt, ground pepper, and some balsamic vinegar makes a perfect dressing for me (but I am careful of the balsamic vinegar - it's got sugar)...
8.  No croutons please.....
9.  I have to limit my consumption of CHEESE - OMG - I am a cheese addict.
10.  Lean meats and fish - wonderful... ground chicken/turkey - white meat; fish (wonderful on the grill); egg whites (cut down on the yolks)
11.  There are a lot of natural sweeteners out there now - my favorite is always going to be Agave - but there's others... 
12.  DARKEST chocolate you can find the better for those like me who love chocolate... milk chocolate - full of sugar and dairy... I like the bars that are in the health food stores that have dark chocolate and blueberries - mmmmmm
13.  Beans, Beans, a good chili - vegetarian or use of turkey/chicken is wonderful.... and I love to make Brunswick stew (though I have to be careful to not add corn (pure sugar/starch) and no peas)

Just these changes alone and walking will promote a good and slow healthy weight loss for me, though if I have a lot to lose, I tend to drop quite a bit ALWAYS the first month or two - then it slows way down..... after that - I have to be more and more active.... exercise is the key.