TSMSS ~ I Can Go In

Thanks to Amy @ Signs, Miracles, Wonders for hosting Then Sings My Soul Saturdays. Now go check out her blog and all the other participants.

NatraBurst

I am super excited about this drink. A friend of mine started a weight loss blog and I was intrigued because of course I too need to lose weight. So... I read about the journey he was taking to becoming healthier.

Really... that is the key... it's not a diet.

I need to lose weight and I know it but I am not looking to become a size zero.... I am not wanting to be a supermodel.... I don't want to be real skinny just to fit into the image the world has created.

I want to become healthier. I realize that if I don't start doing something that I am going to have more and more health problems as I get older.

The truth is, it's hard! I have been on lots of different diets. Too many to count and honestly way more than I want to admit.

So here I am... 32 years old... overweight and looking for a way to get healthier. I started with NatraBurst this week. I use it as a meal replacement for my dinner. This week has been somewhat of a trial run and I hope to go full force next week but I am really excited.

NatraBurst is all natural, made with lots of fruits, veggies and other things that are good for you. I also count it as my vitamins for the day.

The NatraBurst website has this to say about the drink.

A Powerhouse of Vitamins, Minerals, Protein, Enzymes, Antioxidants & More…

High quality protein
Natural fiber
More antioxidants than 6 servings of fruits and vegetables
Digestive enzymes
Prebiotics & Probiotics for improved digestive health
Resveratrol, Grape Seed, Quercitin
Natural appetite suppressants
Good tasting
More than 30 super foods containing potent phyto (plant) nutrients

But I think the thing I like most is that in this day and age with so many people allergic to things... this drink contains NO yeast, corn, wheat, gluten, preservatives, artificial flavoring, artificial color or artificial sweeteners.

As I continue on this path to becoming healthier I hope to blog about my progress so I promise you will be hearing more from me on this subject.

P365 ~ Week 8

Monday

I must say this Valentine's I received so many cards and gifts. God knows what we need! Kathy was so sweet to have this beautiful tulip bunch and monkey delivered to the office as my Valentine's gift. Kathy is always thinking of others! She is one amazing woman!

Tuesday

Coming home from work this is what I saw. I just though it was so beautiful... how the sun was shinning through the clouds as it was going behind the mountains. Wednesday

Kathy and I went to the AT&T store so I could upgrade to the 4G iPhone. One cool feature is the Facetime while you talk. Here Kathy and I are playing around with it. It took us a few tries but we got it to work. I thought this would be a wonderful feature for Paul to talk to Kathy while we were in GA. Thursday

Like a good wife... Kathy went walking with Paul... it was cold outside so she bundled up real good. Friday

Kathy and I flew to GA to spend the weekend with this very sweet family. Saturday

We had a girls day with Rebecca... Kathy and I got our hair done. I love Kathy's hair... it is just so beautiful. I was told that my hair could be donated to Locks of Love so I went ahead and got a short hair cut. Sorry you can't see it very well in this picture but it's the only one I have.
Now let's see how everyone else is doing.

ICU

I was feeling a little nosey, so I thought I would look in on you and see if you're sitting at your computer and if you're OK. Yup, there you are and you look great!

TSMSS ~ And They Praised God

Thanks to Amy @ Signs, Miracles, Wonders for hosting Then Sings My Soul Saturdays. Now go check out her blog and all the other participants.

P365 ~ Week 7

Sunday

Kathy made us sandwiches for dinner. She made it a very well balanced meal and it was super yummy too! Monday
My computer at work died about a week ago and to get me back up and running so I could work we pulled an old computer out of the storage area. I thought the computer I had was slow but when I got the replacement it was even slower. I couldn't believe that was possible. Needless to say later on in the week we bought a new computer. I am VERY THANKFUL for the faster computer. I feel like I can actually work now. Tuesday
I got this lovely hand made card from a fellow stamper. I just love the embossed papers. Wednesday
Paul plays pool (billiards) on Wednesday nights so Kathy and I have girls night. This week Paul got home extra early and totally surprised Kathy with 6 dozen flowers... you did good Paul! Thursday
We had Pam and Peter over for dinner. We are so thankful for them! You will probably be hearing me mention them often this year. They live about 5 minutes away from us so I can imagine we will be spending lots of time together this year! Friday

I thought I hit the jackpot with this $10 coupon that printed out for a cookie mix but when it was scanned at the register I only received $1 off. I would be interested to know if the manufacturer pays the grocery store $1 or $10 for this coupon. Saturday

We had our first card class for 2011. I was shocked at the great turnout. I think we had 12 ladies come. It was fun to watch them create. To most this was a new experience but everyone enjoyed it. We will be planning more card classes in the future but we will probably split them into two groups. That just means more stamping fun for me!

After we got home from the card class and got a few things done around the house, Paul decided we needed to get out of the house and do something...so, we went bowling. I hadn't been bowling in forever... and you can tell by my horrible score. No matter what my score, I had fun!
How was your week?

Thank You

Thank you Kathy for always thinking of others.

Thank you for opening your home to me.

Thank you for putting up with me.

Thank you for your example of loving others.

Thank you for being a wonderful big sister...

I love you!

TSMSS ~ I Know A Fount

Thanks to Amy @ Signs, Miracles, Wonders for hosting Then Sings My Soul Saturdays. Now go check out her blog and all the other participants.

One Small Gesture

A friend emailed this story to me and I just had to share.

---------------------------------------------

One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school.

His name was Kyle.

It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, 'Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd.'

I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on.

As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him.

He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes. My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye.

As I handed him his glasses, I said, 'Those guys are jerks. They really should get lives.'

He looked at me and said, 'Hey thanks!' There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude.

I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before. He said he had gone to private school before now. I would have never hung out with a private school kid before.

We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books.

He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to play a little football
with my friends. He said yes.

We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him, and my friends thought the same of him.

Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again.

I stopped him and said, 'Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!' He just laughed and handed me half the books.

Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends.

When we were seniors we began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown and I was going to Duke.

I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem. He was going to be a doctor and I was going for business on a football scholarship.

Kyle was valedictorian of our class. I teased him all the time about being a nerd.

He had to prepare a speech for graduation. I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak.

Graduation day, I saw Kyle. He looked great.

He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. He had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him. Boy, sometimes I was jealous!

I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So, I smacked him on the back and said, 'Hey, big guy, you'll be great!'

He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled. ' Thanks,' he said.

As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began.

'Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach...but mostly your friends.... I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story.'

I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told about the first day we met. He had planned to kill himself over the weekend.

He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home.

He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile. 'Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable.'

I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment.

I saw his Mom and Dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile. Not until that moment did I realize it's depth.

Never underestimate the power of your actions... With one small gesture you can change a person's life. For better or for worse.

Crockpot BBQ Beef

We tried this new recipe and we were super impressed!

Crockpot BBQ Beef
12 oz beer
1/2 bottle honey bbq sauce
1 Tbsp minced garlic
2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 Tbsp Ketchup
1 tsp cumin
1 piece of beef (we used a roast... the original recipe called for beef brisket)
1 onion, minced
1 container of whole mushrooms

Put all ingredients in crockpot and cook on high for 6 to 8 hours or on low for 8 to 10 hours. Shred meat with 2 forks and return to sauce.
We used this meat and made tacos but the recipe suggested the meat being served on a toasted bun. Either way this meat was delicious!

Enjoy!

Ebates + Restaurant.com

Restaurant.com is offering 80% off again. Use the code LOVE when you check out. Now is the time to buy those gift certificates. I use them all the time. Why not, it saves me money. And if you go to the ebates website first, you receive 15% back from ebates.

P365 ~ Week 6

January has come and gone and February is going by just as fast. Life is busy right now but it's a good busy... I can't complain.

Sunday
Kathy and I went to the Christian book store... I can't even remember why we went but they had a huge sale going on and I couldn't resist.... I bought all these DVDs. Monday
We went out to dinner with 2 ladies from the church. We decided to meet at 3 Tomatoes & a Mozzarella because then after dinner we were heading to Sam's club to do some shopping. It was fun, delicious and we actually got alot accomplished! Thanks Pam for getting us into Sam's Club.

Tuesday

I started playing Words with Friends with my Grandmother. We finished this game and I started a new one but when I invited her she declined the game. Very quickly she called Kathy and told her she wants to play the game with me she just hit the wrong button...it was too cute!

Wednesday

We headed over to Pam's house to keep her company while her husband was out of town. We enjoyed a delicious meal of tacos and spent several hours talking and getting to know each other. This is a picture of one of her cats... his name is Bahama. He is really friendly and social.

Thursday

I got a free donut at Dunkin Donuts... isn't it cute? I thought it was very clever of them to make heart shaped donuts. I wonder if next month they will make shamrock shaped donuts?

Friday

I spent lots of time looking over my IRAs and talking with Philip about my account. I have to say I am very thankful for a brother who understands financial stuff. He has been a HUGE blessing to me since Mike passed away. He is doing my taxes and helping me get all set up with my IRAs. Thanks Philip for all your hard work!

Saturday

Another really busy day for us. We got so much accomplished. I think we did about 10 loads of laundry. We had linoleum installed, 2 carpet guys come out to measure so we could get some quotes, card supplies ready for a card class we are having next Saturday and we even sold one of our Craigslist items. I love productive days! I know I am alittle late in posting this week but I am still going to see how everyone else's week went.

TSMSS ~ Rock of Ages

Thanks to Amy @ Signs, Miracles, Wonders for hosting Then Sings My Soul Saturdays. Now go check out her blog and all the other participants.