Progress

I am so in awe of myself I can hardly stand it! Those of you who do not bite your nails have no idea what a hard habit it is to break. I have been biting my nails as long as I can remember so probably 50+ years. Yikes - Am I really that old? It amazes me that my nails will even grow after so many years of gnawing at them. But they are and I am so excited. I am constantly looking at them & cleaning them and putting clear polish on them. The hand pictures are not the most flattering. I could never be a hand model, but when I can see white at the tips of my nails, I know I have accomplished something wonderful! Stay tuned because the next time you see my nails they will be longer!!

Friday stuff....

Today is Friday and I decided I needed to take the day off because I feel like the lady in that picture!

Things have been so crazy at work. I have been working non-stop without lunch breaks stressing about deadlines, pulling my hair out trying to get everything done. It has been a crazy busy month and I am so done. Once September gets here things will be better but in the meantime I hope I can hang in there. I am grateful to have a job but the stress is killing me.

I have been walking almost everyday and it has helped with my stress level. The weather has really cooperated so that has made it easier to walk in the evenings.

I love this weather we have been having - low to mid 80's heaven and almost unheard of for August. Of course, it is supposed to get into the 90's this weekend and early next week 100 so it has been wonderful while it lasted.

Shauna will be coming home for a visit on Sunday. I have some things lined up for her. She doesn't know it yet, but I need her expertise in all things technological (is that a word). My camera - my computer - my DVR. And of course I need someone to laugh with during Bachelor Pad, Teen Mom, Keeping up with the Kardashians, Flipping Out, Housewives of DC, and any other reality TV show she introduces me to! Hurry home Shauna, I need you!

I saw the movie Flipped last week and loved it! It really took me back to the 60's and I loved loved loved the music. It was well worth the money and I would highly recommend it. It was a feel good, nostalgic, wholesome, funny movie.

I want to take a trip to Utah. I would like to hang up with Jordan & Kristine and go visit my friends Carol and Patty. I hope I can do that in October before the weather starts turning ugly. We'll see.

I am going to Vegas in September to watch Jack and Lincoln in the Primary Program. That is always something to look forward to. I miss my little guys and I am sure Coleman is talking up a storm and growing like a weed. Jack starts 1st grade soon & Lincoln pre-school and the years are just racing by. It is a little scary to me.

Erin had her wisdom teeth pulled yesterday. I wish I was there to be her nurse/Mom. She is a trooper as always and went to work last night. Typical Erin style - nothing stops her.

Well, that about wraps up my Friday thoughts. I am off to the grocery store and to get my daily Diet Pepsi. Life is good because I have 3 days off!

O N L Y

I am going to stop using the word O N L Y.

Only is a silly word used in disparaging, minimizing ways....

But I only had one.

If only you loved me.

If only I was prettier.

Only one person noticed me.

If only I had not eaten/said that.

You only get one.

Only a face a mother could love.

I only did it once.

I am not great at setting goals. I am great at wanting to... so I will try again. My new goal is to avoid the onlys in my life.

So now I will go - read good things, think good thoughts, eat good food & throw away the onlys.....

Cute Little Boys

Lincoln asked his Mom if he looked like Jesus!

Coleman after eating a popsicle

Jack and Lincoln boxing...

I know I just blogged yesterday, but I was just thinking about my little grandsons. I do that a lot. It's really hard being a long distance Grandma. :-( I miss being a part of their lives and seeing them more than 3 or 4 times a year. I really envy some of my friends who get to see their grandkids all the time. Poor me.

I always look forward to the blog posts of the boys, but now it seems that Facebook and Twitter have taken over and there are no regular blog posts. I miss that. So I decided to grab a few pictures from Megan's twitter and post them here, so it will be easy for me to look at them often. I'm pathetic, I know, but I really miss seeing those little guys and watching them grow up. Maybe someday I can live closer....

WHA WHA I know this is a Debby Downer post. I seem to be in a bit of a depression lately. I need to snap out of it. Maybe tomorrow.......

Observations

• I talk to myself
• I sigh a lot
• When I'm at work, I sneeze at least 10x a day
• My kids don't need me anymore
• I miss my friend
• I don't tolerate the heat well anymore so I just stay in the house with all the blinds closed
• I'm in a food rut
• I don't enjoy cooking for one
• My food and money run out at the same time
• I'm going to the State Fair this week
• I can't live without a fan over my bed
• I have been getting up every morning at 5:30 and walking for 45 minutes
• I'm reading Twilight and actually enjoying it

I just saw this list today and couldn't believe it! Where do people come up with these names?
FASTEST-RISING BOY'S NAMES
Castiel
Bentley
Eoin
Easton
Lucian
Aarav
Zion
St. John
Kaiden
Sterling

FASTEST-RISING GIRL'S NAMES
Tenley
Harper
Everleigh
Martina
Sookie
Navi
Charlotte
Eloise
Loralai
Ursula
(Is this for real? Who would name their child Sookie or St John?)

Blonde Brownies

I love to bake but I don't do it very often. This morning I was really in the mood to whip something up that would satisfy my baking need as well as my sweet tooth. Blonde Brownies are a favorite of my family and I have been making them for years. They are easy, quick and delicious. I have already eaten two of them and I just barely got them out of the oven! I need to get out my paper plates and make a few plates for my neighbor and take a plate to a new sister I was just assigned to visit teach. I don't dare keep these all to myself. If I do I will be comotose from a sugar high by 4:00!

Here is the recipe in case you want to try these. I know you won't be disappointed!

2 cups flour
2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs
2/3 cup oil
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder

Mix altogether with a wooden spoon in a medium bowl. Batter will be stiff. Press dough into an ungreased 9x13 pan, sprinkle with chocolate chips. Bake at 350 for 20 to 25 minutes. Voila, you have a delicious quick treat to enjoy or take to friends...

Becoming a Happier you....

I came across this financial challenge and have already started. Who doesn't need help with their finances? I know I do! Since I want to retire in a couple of years, I really need to get my act together and take control of my money. This is a great place to start and I hope I am successful.

Please join me. It could be fun and very rewarding!!

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