finding lori

Hello Monday!! I was up this morning earlier than usual, partly because of my promise to myself that that is the one area I am trying to change, as per yesterdays post.  The other reason is because I had these 2 darlings in bed with me, and they wanted up to see Greg in the morning.  Who can stay asleep when I know Greg is getting morning kisses?? Stella was the first awake!! Josie was a bit more lazy... until she heard Greg..... She LOVES Greg! Stella looking alarmed....or maybe scared? Ah....this is why! The other end of the couch, the Tiny Terror has a bone! Oh to be a dog!  The only worry is kicking your self for eating your bone to fast, and being forced to watch your sister eat hers :) Other than play with Blayne's puppies today, I didn't do much.  I took today to get caught up on all of my e-mails, did some paper work for our Rosary Group which I am now President of :), and started getting my curriculum ready for my 2nd grade C

What a beautiful Sunday!  First things first.  Today is my weigh in day.  I knew it would be good, because I watched all week, and I had that big gain, so I knew some of it would be water...... I'm down 5 pounds.  I'm in a better place now than I was last week, and this loss, even if it is water,  will only help me :)  Yay! ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Today Blayne came over to drop off her little pups for a little sleep over tonight.  She brought me two super fun things that I just have to share with you!  You see, Blayne is a longtime good friend with one of the bloggers that I follow, Goal of Losing , and she has an Etsy Store, Anything Rustic , that I have been wanting to buy from for a while.  Anyway, long story short, she bought me two things from the store!!    First is this cute county banner :)  This is how it looks in my room!! Next is this awesome slate chalk board....... This is how it looks in my

I just wanted to share 2 new books that I will be starting.  This first one is a 21 Day Makeover type book.  Have you every done one?  I have done a few books that you do something every day, and also done some online makeovers.  This one, my sister sent me.  As soon as I read the Introduction, I knew I needed to do this!! This is from the introduction: If you've ever said, "When things get back to normal, then I'll . . . "  this is for you. If you've ever felt too tired to do what you know you really need to do,  this is for you. True change really is possible. And it can start here an now. Our culture tells us that we have to "Go big or go home."  But research on change reveals a very different story:  it's the small things that make the greatest difference over time.  And with God as our partner in the process,  that's amplified even more. This is your moment.  Are you ready to simply do what you can

Happy Monday!! Today started out with some much needed gym time!!   I felt so blahh....that I didn't even want to go, but since I knew my sister was counting on me to go, it helped push me.   Lifting was exhausting, and  Pliates killed me, but I am better for going!!   Of course we stopped for our post workout coffee :)  Always something to look forward to!! ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* My sister bought this beautiful  customized print for me from Etsy and had it framed.   What a wonderful tribute to my baby girl.     Mia was known for her pearl necklaces.   She adorned many,  so Connie wrote on the back... She is so thoughtful,  and I am so blessed to have her!!   ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* We drove over to see the boys this afternoon.  No, we weren't checking up on them...really we weren't.  We wanted to give them their "back to school" treats.  We got this tradition from our Mom.  Every year si

So, first things first.  Today is my weigh in day.  I almost didn't weigh in, because I have been way off track for the past week.  Technically I am on vacation and I think my mind thought I deserved to be totally on vacation from tracking, from making good choices, from everything.  I need to be accountable, and honest with myself, so that is why I've decided to just do it...post it....and move forward.... As you can see, that is a 9 pound gain.  This isn't a total shock,  but I'm not proud what I've done in just a few days.  I know I'm recommitting tomorrow, but that does excuse the fact that I could of recommitted any day this week.  I haven't made bad choices all the time, but enough to do this much damage I guess.  I need to stop messing around, yo-yo-ing all over the place and get serious for my December goal!!  That's about all I have to say because it's embarrassing, depressing, and frankly I'm tired of having you all read the same

Disclaimer....This post isn't meant to be sad.  It just came out this way :)  I'm good...Really I am :) Well, we are alone!  Greg and I have the house to ourselves once again.  It's so quite here!  Even Laker knows something is up.  First she looses both her sisters....first Samara, then Mia, in the past 6 months, (Our black Lab Samara passed away the day after Christmas, right before I began this blog).... now her boy is gone.  We used to be a big family.....two adults, 3 kids, 3 dogs.  Now we are down to 2 adults and one dog.  Wow....time changes everything!  It will take a while before Greg, Laker and I fall into a routine, but until then, it's an adjustment!! Laker and friend, waiting for Dominic to get home. I think she is still waiting for her sisters too.... This is where Dominic and  my nephew Paul will be living!! It's just a beautiful campus  in a small rural area not to far from home,  but just far enough for them :)  O

This week has been a busy one, getting our youngest packed and ready to leave for school.  I did manage to make time for some fun and met the girls out for coffee.  3 of them work at the local high school and will be going back to work tomorrow, so it was nice to get it in before then!! This is the cute coffee house we were at.  It's called The Brick House and it stared out just selling coffee and baked goods, and now, as you can see they added alcohol.  I think adding the words on the awning makes it look a bit tacky, but it's still a wonderful old house!  Anyway, we sat outside on the beautiful porch and visited for a few hours :) Here are some pictures that I forgot to share of our recent girls night :)  We went to the outdoor restaurant that my son Connor works at.  I just love it there :) Our amazing view from our table!! The girls :)  Left from the front.....Michelle, my SIL Julie, me, my sister Connie, Angie, and Lori :)  This group of ladies,

Today was one of those mom and son days that I don't get to much anymore.  Youngest Dominic and I went out to lunch and did a little shopping before he leaves on Friday.  I kept trying to push clothing, shoes, and socks on him, but he is a simple kid and likes his old lived in things.  Then I tried to get him to let me buy new bedding, and some fun things for his room, but again, he says his comforter is his favorite and he loves his ratty old pillowcases.  In the end, he did agree to new pillows, a pair of shorts, new boxers (thank goodness) and a few t-shirts.  Sigh!  Boys! :) Last night we, along with my sister's family went to the horse races for dinner and a fun night out before the boys leave.  If I didn't tell you, my nephew Paul and Dominic are close like brothers and they are rooming together this year!!   Anyway, I managed to snap a picture of Dominic to remember the occasion. :)  He didn't even know until I was done and he just smiled and shook his head lik

Happy Giveaway Day!! Today I drew the winner for my Favorite Things Giveaway.  Before I announce the winner, I would just like to thank everyone for being here, listening to my life.  Even if you've only stopped by once, it means everything to me!  Who would have thought that writing down my successes and failures, my day to day, and my fun outings would help me so much in my journey of finding myself.  I have always known that I needed to be held accountable when it comes to eating and being healthy, and keeping up my blog is the exact thing I need to help keep me accountable! Now, on to my announcement............(Insert Drum Roll Here) The winner of my Favorite Things Giveaway is........ Christina @ Love Yourself Healthy!!! Christina is a blogger friend whom I follow :) Christina, please send me an e-mail at  laa198@aol.com  to let me know your address or PO Box and I will get this box of fun out to you as soon as possible!! Again, thank you all for your support

Before I begin, don't forget to sign up for my GIVEAWAY!!  I will be drawing tomorrow sometime!!  I'm super excited to be able to share some of my favorite things with someone!!  If you haven't signed up, just add a comment to this page and you will be entered!! :) Ok, so I realized that I have been MIA for the week.  Everything is coming at me at once.  First my baby Mia leaves me, now my other baby Dominic is leaving for college on Friday!  That along with the fact that I have had my monthly friend visit only 1time since February (Damn my 50 year old body)  Needless to say, emotions are running high so of course my food is totally out of control, and that just makes it worse!   I  don't know why I do this to myself.  In the book I am reading right now, the cop, who is a recovering alcoholic, fell off the wagon and went on a 3 day bender.  His actions, feelings, thoughts really hit home!  I thought....that's me!  I felt, thought and acted like he did, when I

It's with a heavy heart that I write to let you know that my baby girl, my sweet friend Mia is gone.  We had her put to sleep on Thursday and I just got up enough strength now to write about her.  I wont go on and on, but I miss her terribly.  I don't want to make everyone sad so I will just say that. So, with the stress of this loss, I have not made very smart choices with my food the past few days.  I kept telling myself, that Mia would be pissed at me for eating this or that, but it didn't stop me.  I needed comfort and it came from my other old friend......food.  In the end, I only felt worse and today have been doing well, and I think Mia would be proud of me for pulling myself together!   Oh,  I did go out and buy myself a purse and matching wallet, which made me feel better too.  I'll try to continue the shopping binge instead of food from now on, if I feel the need :)  I bought this beautiful almost new Vera set on a site called Varage Sal

I love to accessorize!  I think because I am a girly girl and love getting all dressed up when I go somewhere.  I am in stinky dog clothes all day with no make up or no jewelry, so I take advantage of it when I can!  I love accessories too because they are all one size!  No matter what I buy, it looks good on me and that is a big ego boost! :) Purses are my number one love!  It's more of an obsession really.  Purses, totes, wallets, heck even those cheap-o cloth or plastic totes at the grocery store.  I just love them all!!  I have many, and continue to buy them even if I don't need them.  If I feel sad....I buy a purse!  If I am stressed....I buy a wallet!   I just can't help it! :) Jewelry and shoes are next in line for me!  I usually shop consignment for my jewelry and shoes, because you can get more expensive brands for a good price.  I love flats, heels, boots....earnings, necklaces, bracelets, Oh My!  My love for accessories doesn't stop there.  Since joinin