Catching Up

For those curious minds, the 21rst birthday bash was really nice. I loved the restaurant, had food I shouldn't have touched with a 10-foot pole and a nice Bailey's on the rocks. I'm not even bothering with guilt today, all I know is I'm doing well now and will work out hard tonight and take it one day at a time. I think my sister really enjoyed herself though ;).

I also got an early birthday present! Woohoo! hehe. It's an MBT shoe that I hope I love and will be happy to pack it on my trip to Italy for added intensity (like I need it ROFL) to compensate for some of that great wine, cheese, and salamis I will indulge in. Let's not forget the gelatto! I really am crazy lol.

On a completely separate note, I'm ticked off at Galaxy Granola! They have some really great organic granolas and I own most of the flavors available due to the low calorie count for really yummy stuff. Well, it has now been exposed at Hungry Girl that their products are grossly mislabeled. This is just wrong! The real nutritional data is about double what the package says!!! Very disappointing and it makes you wonder if you can really trust nutritional labels period? There was a cookie not long ago that, when tested independently, turned out to be twice as many calories (like 300) for the cookie! Just sad really, very sad.

Kaleidoscope

I haven't been up to posting much lately due to an overwhelming amount of contradictory emotions I've been feeling on a pretty regular basis. In the past few days I've been angry, frustrated, scared, sad, depressed, relieved, happy, confused, determined, helpless, etc. The list goes on and on. I believe one particular issue to be at the bottom of how extreme I've been feeling. If I get upset, I get depressed; if I get mad, I get raging angry and so on. It's hard because that's not how I am, so I've had to take a step back and think about the why of it. Thanks to stepping back and thinking about the why, I managed to get myself out of what was eerily like depression today. I am not a depressed person and I refuse to allow myself to be one. I will fight it with every ounce of my being.

The upside is many good things occurred today. My friend Ashley is safe and was able to avoid surgery, my friend Ann made it to her 100 lb loss mark (she really, really needs to stop there though or there will be nothing left!), I got an exciting email regarding a positive opportunity in my life, my family is in good health, and many more things that I am able to cherish and enjoy. I thank all that is good for the positives in this life that balance those moments of despair. It is what makes those "moments" only last moments.

I feel so happy to have the friends and family I have. I know I'm blessed and I should focus on that versus the thing that makes me despair.

Tia!

So yesterday I was in a really bitchy mood and decided to stay away from posting as a rule it was so bad. Today is a much better day though! At any rate, my aunt was arriving yesterday morning at 7am from Argentina but she missed one of her connection flights due to idiots working in the airport in Chile! Basically it boiled down to missing a whole day with her since the flights only go out once a day and the poor thing had to stay in the airport for an additional 24 hours! That really sucked!

Luckily she did arrive today and in good spirits so I'll be able to see her tonight and spend some quality time with family ;).

This past weekend was great! I love spending time with dear friends and family so it felt really good to be up and out with people I care about.

21rst Celebration

Have I mentioned that my baby sister is turning 21 this month? I'm so excited and have some plans up my sleeve of course! I'm not even sure I remember my 21rst birthday, but I think it was Vegas with my girlfriends. I just can't believe she'll be 21! I still have very "new" images in my mind of a 5 yr old pestering me. My husband and I were talking about it last night and he's known her since she was 11 years old. It's just incredible how things change so fast! (Ok that last line made me sound old)

Soon sis, soon! We're going to have a blast for your 21rst ;).

I Guess it's Monday Again!

Wow, the weeks alternate between flying by and going at a snail's pace! I actually have quite the busy month ahead so I have a feeling it will fly by. Works for me as long as my Italy vacation goes very, very slow!

This past weekend was nice and relaxed. It feels good to enjoy time like that on occasion. Actually feels like I had a day off LOL.

Today has been a very busy day at work since I got in and I cannot begin to describe how happy that makes me. When things are too slow I can't help but feel like I'm failing in some way. Not helping enough, not doing or saying the right things, etc even though it's out of my hands and I know that it's not me. Well, days like today make me feel great!

Inspiration

I posted this on another board, but I felt the need to post it here as inspiration and a reminder of where I want to be. This poem hits home for me in many ways and on many separate points in my life right now. Too many times I get boxed into my life; there are many things I have to figure out and get things moving towards attaining them, but I find it very difficult to do so.

My husband and I were sitting outside talking while staring at the full moon last night; reminiscing about different aspects of our life and I couldn't help but feel some longing for a different life to some degree. Sometimes I feel at a loss and lacking, but other times I feel on top of the world.

My Comfort Zone
Author Unknown

I used to have a Comfort Zone
Where I knew I couldn't fail
The same four walls of busy work
Were really more like jail.

I longed so much to do the things
I'd never done before,
But I stayed inside my Comfort Zone
And paced the same old floor

I claimed to be so busy
With the things inside my zone,
But deep inside I longed for
Something special of my own.

I couldn't let my life go by,
Just watching others win.
I held my breath and stepped outside
And let the change begin.

I took a step and with new strength
I'd never felt before,
I kissed my Comfort Zone 'goodbye'
And closed and locked the door.

If you are in a Comfort Zone,
Afraid to venture out,
Remember that all winners were
At one time filled with doubt.

A step or two and words of praise,
Can make your dreams come true.
Greet your future with a smile,
Success is there for you!

New Week

Monday, for many, marks a new beginning and it will for me today as well. I'm tired of not exercising the self-control I know I have and I'm through with it. It's a new day, a new week, and a fresh start. Sometimes we just need to remind ourselves that if you can't do moderation, you have no business doing it at all. That is the case for me, I go to extremes and have to face the music. Since I can't do moderation, I will practice abstinence!

Happy Monday everyone!

My Crowning Moment

There is a florist that my husband knew and would go to many years ago whenever he just wanted to surprise me or on a special occasion and this man would make (still does) amazing creations. Arrangements I've never seen any florist, before or since, rival. Whenever I'd receive one of these artistic creations I was the instant envy of even my mother LOL. Words cannot describe them and even the pictures don't capture the essence of the flowers.

Primarily due to how far he is from us, I haven't seen one of his particular arrangements in many years now. Well, when I walked into my house last night the first thing I saw was this beautiful vase filled with gorgeous white roses and the sweetest card in the world. My wonderful soulmate drove to this guy because he knows how much I love his arrangements and had them waiting for me in congratulations for my success. What a day!!

OMG Ann!! SippinSlo!

OMG I'm just crying from joy over here in my little world. My wonderful friend Ann sent me these beautiful flowers today and I'm just speechless! And here are the gorgeous flowers! It is just the sweetest and nicest gesture ever and I feel so lucky to have friends like that! Thank you so much Ann!!!!

I Won!!!

Time is a scarce commodity for me today, but I wanted to jump in and express my absolute joy in winning the NS summer contest!!!!! I'm beside myself today!!!