Happy New Year 2012

Wow!!! It's been a long time hasn't it?

Sadly...as far as weight is concerned...I can't say that things are a whole lot different. :(

But...as far as my life is concerned...things are different. I am married now :) to the most wonderful man, who loves me exactly for who I am. I don't have to be anything different than I am, and that is encouraging to me and my self esteem.

I also have been very recently reminded of what is truly important in this life. What is important....is Jesus...and following Him. Being a good example to my children and husband of what a Christian woman looks like. My priorities have been adjusted...and are in the correct order now. It sure makes a whole lot of difference for my heart. Things aren't perfect by any means...but knowing that I have the Creator of the universe on my side gives me an unspeakable joy that can't be attained any other way. Knowing that He is available at all times as I cry out for help, and knowing that ultimately He is in control...lifts a burden off of my heart and fills it with joy instead.

Psalm 40:1-3
"I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. he put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him."

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all the dads. :) We had an amazing day today. We started out by going to church, and Caitlyn got baptized. :) It was so exciting. I'm so very proud of her. Then we came home and gave our cards and gifts to Ned. Afterwards we headed to Steve & Renee's house for a BBQ. They were so gracious to go along with our program, and we had chicken, asparagus, and salad. Thanks guys for such a great lunch and great company.

Today also marks the end of week 2 of "Take Shape For Life". Ned is down 15lbs and myself down 16lbs over the last 2 weeks. That would be a total of 30lbs for Ned, and 19 for myself. We have had some rough patches this week with tummy hurting symptoms, but we have stayed on program faithfully. Very little exercise this week, but I look for that to change this week. We are also going camping this week, so we will see how that changes things. :)

Well wish us well. :)

Take Shape For Life.

So...hey there. :) We've moved on to something new. The calorie counter thing wasn't working so great. We were going to the gym faithfully for a bit, but the gym membership changed, and Gold's Gym just up and disappeared with virtually no notice. Ned ended up meeting with a highschool friend and talking about "Take Shape For Life" (which I swore I wouldn't do...as well as Ned), but alas after talking about it and chatting with friends, we decided to try it out.

We've been on the program for about a week now. For the week we are down 23 lbs. I'm down 12 this week, and Ned down 11. That is a total of 15.5 for me (I did gain a little in between programs), and Ned is down a total of 25. WOW!!!! We are on a roll.

The program is difficult, but doable. And obviously the results are phenomenal. I can't wait to see what happens next week.

There does seem to be a lot of bad things and death going on around us. In the last week or so, Nancy's dad has passed, Ron's mom, and now my Grandpa Bud. Just a whole bunch of heavy stuff...my heart is heavy for my family as well as some other things that I can not say.

Ned is on vacation this week and has lots of hiking planned. I'm sure he'll have a good week...and next week we go camping. So much going on here. We are taking pictures each week, so that at the end of this long journey, I hopefully will have a time lapse slideshow to show off.

Lose it!!

That's the name of the iPhone application that is really helping Ned and I lose weight. :) We are on a rollllll again. I'm so excited. We have been exercising and eating right. We've been counting calories with our iPhone app...and tallying our exercise. It has been about a week and a half...and I'm down 8.8 lbs. I'm thrilled actually.

Today I did something new. I was feeling upset about a few things, and instead of getting some comfort food and snuggling up to watch some TV....I took myself to the gym and exercised it out. I worked out for 1.5 hours and burned 1200 calories. I then exercised with Ned again this evening for another 670 calories. I've eaten 1600 calories....so you do the math :) I've burned more than I've eaten today. YEAH!!! I think it's pretty cool. :)

I'll keep you updated. I feel so great today. The exercise really helped my attitude today. :)

Even when I thought I was ready....I wasn't :(

It's been 2+ months since my last blog :( That means bad news as far as weight loss and healthy eating. We start out doing good for a few days...exercising...eating right...then I get super hungry one day...and need something quick...and I grab McD's or cookies :(

The good news is...I'm ready to start again. I haven't been feeling well lately, and I know...and you know...we all know...it's because I eat like crap. So here's to another try. Take 543.lol.....who knows really what the count is up to...I jest.lol

Minor detail........................drum rolllllllllllllllll

I'm getting married :) I'm gonna get to be Mrs. Fenimore. 11-11-11 is the day and it will be in Vegas...and I wanna be skinny...or at least skinnier...and most of all healthy. I want to feel so awesome...my wedding day...and everyday. :)

So here's to starting over...and slimming down. :)

I can do this...I'm sure of it...I just have to try harder...and last longer.

Double chins

Oh the loveliness of the double chin...when it's Katie and her friend Jasmine....its hilarious. They contort their necks and face to make as many double chins as they can. Who does that????? I'll tell you who....thin, cute little girls. Laugh at double chins when you are a teen being funny...but when you are an adult...and you don't have to work at the double chin...not so funny.

This last week Ned and I went to Lincoln City for his birthday for a couple nights. We gambled, Ned photographed, we shopped, hot tubbed, and played in the pool. We had a wonderful time. Ned is always so sweet and loving and he thought that I looked extra pretty one of the days and he wanted to take my picture. We pulled off into Fogarty Creek Park...found the perfect place with some lovely greenery behind me...Ned looked through the lens and told me how pretty I was...he pushed the button...and the shutter did it's thing...and I asked to see the digital image so I would know if there was a hair out of place or my collar was wrong. What happened next...Ned nor I was really prepared for. He turned the camera around...and the picture I saw was not me...not how I see ME...maybe not how Ned sees me...but there I was with a double chin and a round face that I could not hide...and I BURST into tears. :( I refused to take any more pictures and I walked to the car. Ned erased the files...and we drove off in silence. He gave some time to pull it together...and then asked what he could do...should he be quiet...should he try to figure out my crazy thoughts?lol. (I added the crazy) He thinks I'm pretty...no matter how I look...no matter how many chins I have...no matter what size. That is something I have never had. There has never been a man in my life that thinks I'm beautiful no matter what...Never...Ned..you are the first...and I love you even more for your honest lovely sweet wonderful thoughts.

Having said that...it is amazing how I see myself different in my head versus the mirror. In my weight loss journey...regardless of going up or down in weight my mind sees myself the same way at all times. I don't know what this all means. I do know that I can gain weight like nobody's business and be in denial about it for some time. I know that right now...I feel uncomfortable...and I've gotten a huge wake up call from the tears at Fogarty Park. Now the question is ...can I get going again? I get so tired of hearing myself talk about starting again...just get it done already NICOLE!!! It's funny how you can be your own best cheerleader and at the same time be your biggest meanest critic too.

Here we go again!

Good luck to me...maybe someday...the double chin will be funny...instead of tearful.

California and the Redwoods

Ned and I just got back from a six night vacation. We went to Florence for 2 nights, then on down to Crescent City for the Redwoods for 3 nights, then back to Lincoln City for our last night. We had a really great time. Joked a little that parts of our trip were a little "National Lampoons"...but we did have fun. Ned indulged me with lots of casino time...we got players cards for every casino along the way down to California...that would be six :) lol. I know you don't need to know the details...but 1. Spirit Mtn, Grande Ronde, OR 2. Chinook Winds, Lincoln City, OR 3. Three Rivers, Florence, OR 4. The Mill, Coos Bay, OR 5. Lucky 7, Smith River, CA 6. The Elk Valley, Crescent City, CA. I pretty much broke even the whole trip, until the way home. We stopped at #'s 5, 4, 2, & 1 on the way home....any $20 bill I put in...returned a minimum of $55....and a max of $107....so it was fun...Ned even played on the drive home...and we both did well...he won $125.




Well...it wasn't all about casino's...hahaha...we went to see the huge trees.lol...the Redwoods. They were amazing. No better person to share it with then my guy Ned. He's the best photographer ever...and he made some great captures. He even tumbled down a ravine with his camera...good thing there was no long term damage to either one of them. We'll go back again some day with the kiddos...good thing for everyone to see.

On the weight loss wagon again tomorrow. I have a new schedule at work with 4 day weekends every other weekend. Need to get to exercising again.ugh...so don't want to ...but want to at the same time. School is starting for the kiddos in a couple weeks...so here's to routine. Cheers.

Goin the right direction

So...for my first week....down 3.8 lbs. I'll take it! I was happy about it. Feeling pretty darn good too. We traveled to the Farmers Market again yesterday. It was close to 90 yesterday again, and the shaved ice was perfect. :)

Earlier this week I did remember to take a picture of our yummy dinner. This is a Chicken Parmigiana with Spinach Noodles. Well we actually made it with turkey cutlets, and it was very tasty. Low fat and everything. The kids even loved the spinach and everything. :)

Well...it's birthday week for me, so wish me luck to keep my eye on what I eat. To at least keep the treats to a minimum. I'll update you again soon. :)

Fresh Veggies and the Market

Well...my mood is a tad better.lol....actually a lot better. We went to the Farmers Market this weekend after working out...and got a load of fresh veggies. We also had some delicious fish tacos. Yum!!!! I watched the lady make them and then we bought the stuff there to try our own at home.

I have to say...yes it is faster to run to McD's and get a value meal.lol...but nothing is as good as really fresh food. On Saturday we made a wonderful stir fry...it really is amazing how much everyone loved it. The girls even loved all the veggies. We had it coupled with some brown rice....It was yummy. Then we did tilapia fish tacos on Sunday...ohhh they were good too...with fresh cabbage and tomato's and cilantro as well as some fresh made tomatillo salsa from the market. Ned had a wonderful tilapia and potato's made when I came home from work on Monday night. This was all rounded out by some Shrimp Scampi on whole wheat noodles last night with a salad. Please...please...please tell me where my camera was during this time. The neat thing about fresh meals like this is the colors in everything. I can't wait to make something tonight. Another thing that is fun...trying out new recipes....we were getting in a rut of making the same things over and over....and this newness and freshness puts a different spin on things.

Well...next week is my bday...dinners...and the Cheesecake Factory...and the casino this weekend. :) I can't wait. :) Here's to making healthy choices...no matter what I'm doing. :)

Trainers

“Exercise is done against one's wishes and maintained only because the alternative is worse”

So very TRUE!! I really did not want to go to our first training session tonight. I actually was intending to be "sick" so I wouldn't have to go. I dreaded it allllll day. I never really got over it...but I did go. Ned and I went together. The treadmill warmup wasn't so bad....it reminded me of last year when we were doing so well. I thought I can totally do this....but I was quickly reminded of why I had dreaded it all day long. :( Maybe it was the wall sits....then the situps....and plank exercise....all the things to test our "core" (p.s. I have NOOOOO core....I absolutely despise those types of exercises) and after the core things...we did jumping jacks. You wouldn't think jumping jacks would be such a big deal...but let me tell you...to do them for a full minute with all your fat flabbin up and down...and a minute is a longggggg time....so long and so difficult for me...my legs would no longer cooperate after about 40 seconds. Ohhh how I hate trainers. I really really hate them. I mean...really hate them. Just like in Nacho Libre....everytime he says Orphans...replace that with Trainers




I hate to say it like that...but I've just had bad experience after bad experience with them. Ya know...after your "free" session with them...they sit you down like a timeshare sales ploy...and try and get you to buy several training sessions that cost a couple thousand dollars. They also tell you that you have so much weight to lose...that you probably can't do it without their help. Sorry to say...the personal training just doesn't work with my personality at this point. Maybe when I'm in better shape and need more help toward the end...well then maybe I would feel differently about it. I came home in a foul mood...but it has improved over the evening with the support and encouragement of Ned. I work the next couple of days, but Ned plans on going to workout with Caitlyn, and I will join them this weekend. I'll be ok...and I'll get to working out good again.

Yes, it's hard!

“Yes, it’s hard. It’s suppose to be hard. If it wasn’t hard everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it great.” ....and we want to be great. :) Ned signed our family up for Gold's Gym. We have our first training tomorrow night....here we go. We will get back on track. We will. It is a place for all of us...and that is encouraging as well.

So tomorrow it is. :) Back to the grind...can we get through it? I think we can. It's all about being consistent...and we do that best together. I'll update you on how it goes tomorrow night. :) Wish me luck for a good day of eating prior to the workout. :) We know what to do....it's just a matter of doing it...and to keeeeeeeep doing it!

Interested vs. Committed

People who are interested in losing weight

1. Stick with it until something better comes along

2. Take action only if they "feel like" doing it

3. Need to see results in order to stay motivated

4. Blame people or circumstances for their struggles

5. Easily give up when they face challenges

People who are committed to losing weight

1. Stick with their plans no matter what

2. Take action whether they feel like doing it or not

3. Assume that if they stay motivated, results will follow

4. Take responsibility for their own actions

5. Keep going in spite of challenges and setbacks

Interested vs. committed....is Interesting.lol I really never thought of it like that. I have been interested always...but have I been committed? Maybe not. I think that I start out interested....it turns into committed...and then fizzles back down to interested. I wonder if you could apply this theory to other things in life? Could you apply it to any battle...or relationship? Today...I feel as though I have been interested in a lot...and not committed to much. This time....I am committed to losing weight.

I have had some results already. I have worked out 3 days of the last 5...and I am down 2.5 lbs. I'm happy with that. I did need to see some result for the work I have put in over the last few days. It will be a week on Tuesday...so I'll reweigh then and have a true weekly update. As for now...I'm off to the Farmers Market to buy some fruits and veges...and maybe even some pretty flowers for my table. I loveeeee fresh flowers. :)

"I used to be that way"

I opened an account at startyourdiet.com. I am able to put my starting weight in...and my goal...and how much I plan to lose per week....and poof...that's where I got the 1 year thing. This morning I decided to read Day 1 & 2 of their 100 days of weight loss. Amazingly...it was exactly what I needed to hear this morning. Here's what hit me the most...and it really applies to anything in life.
Change your thinking

Stop right there! Your past does not determine your future. In fact, your previous failures have absolutely no effect on your ability to succeed now. Starting today, eliminate the belief that things always go a certain way or that you never stay with your goals. Whenever those doubts creep back in, immediately give yourself this new message: "I used to be that way, but now I'm different!" This powerful statement completely ignores whatever you did before and instead, it promises you can change your outcome entirely. Rather than being fearful that you'll repeat the past, build a new way of thinking.

Make up a new ending

Because now you're different, you can do anything. You can even create different endings for your old negative patterns.


Those words really helped me...because I have done this before...and here I am again. But it's ok...because a year will have passed and I will finally be where I want to be. I've had trouble reaching my goal before. I would return to my old ways. I used to be that way...but now I'm different. :)

Here we go again! lol

I'm pretty sad...aren't I? lol. Well....here I go again. Starting over....starting anew. I plugged numbers into Mydiet.com.....and found out that I can be at my goal in 1 year. One part of me is like....a year...that is a long time....but really...a year goes so incredibly fast. I can do this...right? RIGHT! I can.

I am going to do this for me. Just for me. So I will feel better physically and mentally. Today is a beautiful day outside...and I'm going to seize it...and make the most of it. I have already...gone to the dentist, worked out, done yard work, watched some TV, made some lunch, and done homeschooling. I would say that I am on a roll so far. Lets keep it up.

Ohh also GO BLAZERS! I just love how Portland gets into their team. It is exciting. :)

Here's a picture of me and the girls in our family. :) We had a wonderful Easter brunch. My mom, me, Nancy, Amber, Caitlyn, and Natalie.

Happy Valentines Day :)

So Valentines Day is coming to an end. I was unable to sleep once crawling in bed, so as Ned snores away...I have come downstairs. I watched the second half of "Jerry McGuire", and now have decided to blog a tiny bit.

The day started out early. Ned went to photograph with friends early. I waved goodbye to him at the door at 6a.m. I then made Valentine cookies shaped as hearts with brownie's in the center surrounded by frosting....YUMMMMY! I eventually woke the girls up and we went out to breakfast with my Mom, Ron, Jason, Natalie, and the kids. Following that we went to my nephew's 8th birthday party at Big Al's. The kids bowled and played arcade games. :) We had great fun. The girlies then went to Natalie's for the night. :)

I arrived home later in the afternoon, and Ned was home. He had some good luck with his photography. I also had a card and roses when I got home. :) We went to Black Angus for dinner, and it was wonderful. I tested my gall bladder a little too much....so far...it's not bothering me...yet. But if it does bother me later...I will deserve it. :( After coming home...we did some karaoke. ...now that was funny. We even sang "I got you babe" as a duet...talk about hilarious.

All in all...it was a pretty good day. :) Happy Valentines to you. :)

I would like a NORMAL life. (really just relaxation)

I would...for just once....for awhile even...like a normal life. Really I would. I would like some routine, and I would like no problems, and I would like things to just be made right...just for a little while. I would like everyone to be happy...and it doesn't even have to be giddy excited happy, just happy content. Just glad to be alive, just happy to be with their family, just...I don't know. (After re-reading...I realized....what I need is just to relax. I need time to relax. I need a massage...and I need to smell good candles, and soft music...and I need Calgon to take me away)

I feel full of complaints all of a sudden. Full of selfishness...and of course I feel like I deserve it. I feel like I give a lot, and I'd like more in return. I wrestle in my head with the idea of being selfish, and wish that I wasn't. I take things so personally sometimes. I say what I shouldn't, and don't say what I should....and I think I just better stop...and forget about it all...and know that I'm hormonal...and just let it go...let it go.

On another note...I sure need to go to the gym, if only to weigh. I would really like to know how much I've lost with my new pretty much no fat diet. I've very much decreased my intake as well, so it is all a good thing. :) Tomorrow I head to the surgeons office to see what he advises me to do about my gall bladder. So we'll see. As for now...I had better get back to homeschooling. Sara is doing really well, she is even learning cursive writing.

Upper Endoscopies are Fun.lol

Well...found the source of my medical issues. After a trip to the ER with severe chest/back pain, a few more bouts of that pain over the last week, 3 different medications, and upper endoscopy, and an abdominal ultrasound....I have gallstones. (Ned diagnosed this the first night.lol) :) So that would be the source of my severe pain, that seems to pop up....well for me....whenever. I didn't know that something could hurt sooooo bad. So anyways...I should be getting my gall bladder out this week sometime. As far as the upper endoscopy...it's wonderful to have a doctor know what he's doing and know how much medicine to give someone...so that one minute...I was feeling a little dizzy...and the next minute...it was completely over. :) Honestly...didn't even know that it happened. By the way...the little pic at the top...is a plush gall bladder. lol.lol.lol.lol He looks tooo cute to be causing me so much pain.

As far as exercise....it has been non-existent because I'm afraid constantly that the pain will arrive, but my eating habits couldn't be better. A diet with almost no fat, is what has made me feel best. And as long as it keeps the pain to a minimum...then I'm good. :)

As far as the homeschooling....well I have all the curriculum now, so we are set. Now if I can just do it around surgery...it'll be good.

Anyways...hope everyone of yours is doing well, and you were able to enjoy a beautiful weekend. We sure have. We have actually had a relaxing, family fun filled weekend with the girls. We looked around at the mall last night....and Nedster bought me some new shoes. :) I love shoes. :)

Homeschooling Again. :)

Here is Sara on her first day of Homeschooling. We went together to the school, and withdrew her, then we went to the School District to fill out our "Intent to Homeschool". We then headed back home to start our day. Our curriculum won't be here until Wed. afternoon...so we flew by the seat of our pants until then. Curriculum and lesson plans make it so much easier. I'll be thrilled when I have that. :)

Sara is such an amazing girl. I guess I don't always realize that when we are all running around, but these past few days that we have been together, have really been amazing. I can definitely see some great potential in her. We've had a lot of fun together.
I've also had some medical stuff going on...and my Sara has been a wonderful nurse. She does whatever is asked of her, and she gets me everything that I need.

Next week should be interesting when we have curriculum and everything. :) That will be great.

Just because I wanted to.

I worked out today. By myself. In the middle of the afternoon. hmmm. WEIRD. I didn't have to work today. I got called off because our census is low. We usually only work out on the days that I have off (working 12-13 hour shifts on your feet doesn't give you a whole lot of energy left over once you get home) So we workout on my days off. Today I normally work...so we wouldn't normally go tonight. Ned wasn't feeling so good today....so I thought he probably wouldn't want to go when he got home (good thing I didn't wait...as he got called back into work). Anyways....around 3 p.m. I got this urge to workout. WEIRD. I thought about the music I would be listening to...and how good it felt last night...to walk and jog to those tunes....so before the thoughts could leave my brain...I headed out. I had to blog this...as it NEVER happens. I NEVER FEEL like working out. It is NEVER something I am happy about doing. Today...I WANTED to do it. WEIRD. It makes me happy. So I just wanted to share with you....something good that happened today. :) Have a great evening. I'll be watching the Biggest Loser. :) Speaking of Biggest Loser....remember last year my work did a weight loss challenge/contest. Well...it is going on again this year. I won last year, but I have gained a fair amount of it back . I didn't let that stop me....I joined again. :) Maybe if I keep exercising and working out...and being healthy...I will again be the Biggest Loser :) It doesn't end til June....so stay tuned. :)

Down a bit :)

So we are on the right track. Not as fast as we would like...but then again...we would have to work a little harder too. Ned is down 5 after 2 weeks and I am down 3. We'll get better...but at least it's the right direction.

Not a whole lot has been going on here. We have had some pretty boring weekends lately. We've been staying home and relaxing a lot.lol Not a bad thing...just not a lot to write about.

Well there is one thing. :) I'm going to start homeschooling Sara starting next week. Feb 3 is our start day. It was a big decision but I have lots of support especially from my family, and my best girl friend Renee (she is a homeschool queen). We are going to use Abeka curriculum and start from the beginning of the 2nd grade, and work through the summer. It is quite a task to take on, but it is what is best for my baby girl...and that is what matters.

On track again?

I know...how many times do we have to get back on track? One would think that if you weren't on track by now then find a new train honey. But none the less....

The tragedy in life doesn't lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach.
Benjamin Mays

So I press on and I continue. As one friend says..."Keep on...Keepin on" So back to the gym again this morning. I do weigh less than I did a year ago...but still have lost a lot of ground since we stopped our healthy lifestyle last year. It was that darn..."have just 1 brownie" that has turned into a mound full of desserts. Oh well... I guess...nothing I can do now. Just have to start again. Have a new goal in mind. Somehow...I need to find the desire again.

On another note....I finally finished my last holiday project. It was a crocheted blanket for Renee...that I started...what.????? 6 years ago maybe? Well it is complete. Here is a picture of it. I really do like it...and I am proud of the work. I gave it to Renee the other night as we met with our kids and had Noodle Soup at our favorite Vietnamese Restaurant..."Pho Green Papaya" That soup was so tasty. It's exactly what I need again on this foggy day.

Well...that's all I know for now. I'll try to keep updating this on our progress. :)

Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year.
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

(p.s. I really like quotes today :)

Happy New Year

Happy New Year. :) We had a great New Years Eve here. :) We made the evening quite enjoyable. :) First of all I had the day off...so that was a plus. Then I went to a early happy hour at Joe's Crab Shack with my Mom and Ron...and Ned followed after he got off work. We stayed a couple hours...then headed home.

I made the girls some tasty appetizers to include : mozzarella sticks, jalapeno poppers, chicken fingers, pizza bagel bites, salami and cheese, and french bread. After snacks we had multiple Wii tournaments. We made cards such as "Most Strikes in a Game", "Highest Score in Bowling", "Most money made during a gig on Guitar Hero" and so on and so on. The winners of these games won a lotto scratch ticket. In total..we won $20 between everyone. We also set a timer every 5-25 minutes and whoever's turn it was on the wii...got to pick a card. The cards had "Movie of your choice", "Free milkshake", "Get out of 1 chore", and so on. We stayed up till 1 a.m. or so. At 11:50p.m. we watched the countdown....then at midnight...Ned and I kissed, we all yelled...and screamed...and set off our car alarms. Everyone had a wonderful night....It was probably the best New Years that we have ever had.


This year is already off to a good start. In the last week...we've ordered meals that came to $7.77 3 times.....and I spent the $15 on lotto tickets...and won $20. I continue to work on projects...and complete them. I've been able to stand in the snow...and I had a wonderful dinner.

Here's to a year of growing. Growing stronger, healthier, and growing up. Didn't know I need to do that? I do. Started counseling...heading back to the gym...relaxing more. :) It will be a good year.

Merry Christmas...Merry Christmas...Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to everyone. :) It has been a wonderfully fun Christmas for us. We have had our first white Christmas in a long time...and now officially the snowiest December ever!

Christmas Eve we went to my sister's house. I made a ham dinner and we all enjoyed that along with my mom's famous potatos, some zucchini, baked beans, rolls, corn, and an array of delicious tasty desserts of course. :)

We then enjoyed watching the kids open presents given by the cousins, aunts, uncles, and Grandma Linda.

I gave my mom a book that I had made with pictures of my brother and sister and I from when we were kids to currently with our own kids. There were tears shed with that gift. hehehe.
The evening ended with a very small white elephant game as there were only 5 of us who participated...but it was still fun...and we came away with some great gifts.
We then drove home on the worst roads since this snow storm of the last 2 weeks. My mom came and spent the night with us so that she could share in Christmas morning.

Morning finally came...and as always...I was the first one awake. :) I was excited to open presents...and I got everyone else going. :) We had some snacks to tide us over til breakfast and we went through our stockings and opened gifts. Everyone was spoiled! Everyone. The girls got numerous gifts each...including clothes and toys. Katie got her first Coach purse from Ned. Sara got some new games and books and art things. Ned received some stuff for his photography processing as well as a calendar made by his girls with great times over the last year, as well as several other items.

And me....well I was spoiled as always...and like my mom said..."You sure deserve it honey!"....and another friend says..."not spoiled.....ENTITLED" lol Well anyways.....Ned outdid himself once again. I have a gorgeous Tanzanite necklace to match my bracelet and ring. He also gave me a large brown and tan Coach wallet to match my purse :) A brown wristlet to take out and about...and a black small coin wallet for my evening wear black Coach purse. I also got perfume, and 2 books I've been wanting (Collectors edition of Twilight....and the new Nicholas Sparks book). Oh and also....a very sweetly stuffed stocking with Lindor truffles and a pocket calendar. Yep...spoiled again. How does he keep outdoing himself???? I'm pretty lucky....and so is He. :) Thank you Ned for treating me so extra special. :)

As a family....we also got a Wii...complete with guitar hero and Wii play and Wii Sports. There's been dibs on it all day. :) It's been fun. Today has been full of fun and family.


After opening presents this morning...my mom made us a wonderful breakfast (on the new griddle she bought me..thanks Mom). Breakfast complete with bacon and eggs and toast. Delicious...it was. :) I couldn't ask for a better day.

Merry Christmas everyone. :) Hope you had a great Christmas as well.

Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland

Ned and I took a little walk tonight in the snow. It was beautiful and white and quiet and the Christmas lights against the sparkly snow....mmmm it was gorgeous. Here is a snap of us when we got back. It was a nice time. Now we are back in the house all snuggled up...ready to have some of that hot chocolate that I spoke of earlier. :) Happy Snow Day to you :)

Look who snuck out. That little sneaker! lol

Yes...it's Snowden. He couldn't stand to be in the house any longer. Especially with a good 6 inches of snow outside. He tried to sneak out the other day. We were all sitting on the couch and Snowden sits where he always does during the holiday season...on the stairs. Well...all of a sudden he leans back and did a backward sumersault toward the door. So...tonight...he made it out in the snow. He was pretty happy...so I had to take a pic of him. :)

Ohhhh how much fun is the snow? SUPER FUN!! We haven't had such snow in years. Not as long as I can remember. Christmas is coming too...and I'm thrilled about that as well. It is going to be a year of such spoiling for EVERYONE! Here is our tree all lit up and filled with presents underneath. I can't wait til Christmas morning when we get to open all of our presents and do our stockings. :) This snow only makes it all better. I love having the Christmas tree with the lights and the window behind it where you can see the snow falling. :) Makes me so happy! So very happy!

Earlier in the week...when this lovely ARCTIC BLAST started....we had some hot cocoa in my favorite snowman mug....Caitlyn made this one...topped with whip cream and sprinkles. :) So pretty.

Not much snow for us earlier in the week....a 1/2 inch or so. Sara made a snowman...well it was more of an iceman. :) But still...she took at least an hour to make it. At least she was all bundled up. :)






I LOVE THIS SNOW!!! I mean I realllllllly realllllllly love this snow!

Christmas is coming....FAST!

Why does it seem as though Christmas always comes so fast? It comes as fast as any other day. lol....but it's the endless projects that make my time slip away. I did much better this year starting my projects earlier...and they are getting there for sure...but I still have a lot to do.

We have a beautiful Christmas tree up and decorated. In fact I'm sitting here in the dark now with the tree lit up and some Christmas music on. I do love this time of year. No one else is up right now and I'm sitting downstairs, quickly uploading pictures for a project. Can't tell you what it is...sorry...you never know who reads these blogs.lol.

We also got some lights up on the house. Well...I guess I should say my brother put up most of the lights. He is kinda monkey like and was able to hop up on the roof and then onto the second level as well. :) Thanks Matt. I love coming home to a lit up house.

Work has been good. We actually got to go out to the Portland City Grill for a dinner/lecture on a arthritis medication that we give in the infusion room. I've never been to the City Grill...it was a lovely view...up on the 30th floor of the Bancorp building downtown. Veryyyyyy nice.

And so now I must get going on those projects....but I thought I'd update you. Ned and I have started exercising again...but more importantly....eating right. However...it's not so fun to have all these Christmas jars around with no candy in them :( Oh well...we'll be glad later. :)

It was a Happy Thanksgiving

It was a great Thanksgiving. I hope you all had a wonderful time with your families as well. :) We went to my sister's house and started preparing around 11am. Everyone chipped in. Ned tried his hand at his sister's cranberry orange sauce. :) I thought it was delicious. We had a wonderful family day with dinner and dessert, we watched a movie and played a game. I really enjoyed sharing my day with my favorite people in the world. I'm especially glad that I got to share it with the love of my life...Nedster. I am thankful for Ned...for being here with us...for protecting us...for loving us. I'm thankful for my Caitlyn...because she is like my right hand...I couldn't live without her. I'm thankful for Sara because she always makes me laugh. :) I'm thankful for my mom...because she is an amazing listener. I love you all. :)


Following a great Thanksgiving day...Caitlyn and I were up at 3:30 going shopping. We went to Kohl's, Walmart, Target, Fred Meyer's, and Lane Bryant. We had a great time...got a good amount of Christmas shopping done. Then in the afternoon...we went to Ned's family's for dessert. It was sure nice to see everyone. The gumball machine was a hit as usual and I was depleted of all my pennies.lol.

All in all...we had a wonderful holiday. Probably the best yet. Here's to many more holidays like this one. :)

Who's that girl????

I think the haircut helped me get out of my funk. :) I really can't believe that I went through with it. Jamie at "Classy Lass" (who's done my hair for about 5 years) was dumbfounded that I was ready for a change....color and cut. She was thrilled and I was even more thrilled when she made come to life, exactly what I had envisioned. I'm excited. I feel cute and sexy and new. :)

No gym tonight as Nedster has to get up to go to work at 1am...yuck! So bedtime is rounding about now. He promises to take me out this weekend because I look so darn cute with my new look. I can't wait. You know I love date nights. :)

Yeah for me :) Back to work tomorrow in the infusion. Ohhh how I love that place...seriously I do...I have my own office and everything. My patients will be in for a treat with my new look. :)

Lots of smiles today

Ughhhh the straw almost broke

Warning....I am not out of my funk yet. :( That picture describes it perfect....and I'm about to just lay down and let the tornado suck me up.

Well...I was 5 minutes late to work, and my boss decided to float me to the surgical floor. YUCK!!! It's not that I can't handle it, but I never float anymore. It's been like 3 years. I've worked on the surgical floor about 5 times in the almost 7 years that I've worked at the hospital. I am just not comfortable down there. I'm way out of my element. The day ended up okay...but let me tell you...it about sent me into tears this morning to be sent from my home unit. I already know that I'm an emotional eater...so therefore I was entitled to my cookie at work today as well as the burrito coming to me from Taco Bell :P

I'm just irritated. I have to go back to work in the morning for another 1 hour meeting...that will make me going into work everyday this week...and that annoys me. At least in the afternoon I go get my hair done, colored & cut, so maybe that will help me out a little. Wish me luck....I'm going to need it.

Should have been more than 1 post for all this.lol

Well...I do have a few things to put into one post. It won't appear as much to those reading, but it's a huge amount in my head. So lets begin. No exercise on Sunday...too many other things were happening, but even before that...Saturday night Ned started reading Charlotte's Web to Sara.
It was a lot of fun to see Ned read to her, and watch her expressions. I also listened as I relaxed with my feet up, and what I wouldn't do to be a kid again at times. I just wish I could do that, knowing what I know now, and I would change a few things in my life. But it was sure nice to listen to a book like I used to in grade school. It was fun to imagine how things looked...mmmm...I enjoyed those times.

Second thing...the casino trip didn't prove to be monetarily productive. Well of course it didn't.lol. I never really thought it would be...but there is some part of me that would like to think I would actually come out ahead. But the trip was definitely fun, as it always is. I was able to drink Starbucks out of a red cup (see previous post for details.hahaha) and I got to talk with my mom. We had a great time together....just chatting...and then losing money together.lol. Wish we could do that more often....the long drive and chatting that is.lol

Third thing...I went up to scrapbook with my friend Renee today. That was so long overdue, but
please tell me why she always has to move out to timbuktoo.lol It's always seems to be...around this corner...then that one...then straight up the hill....to the end of the road. If you hit the stop sign you've gone too far.lol. Then finally 30-40 min after I've left home, I arrive. Why....must you love the country so much??????
Well...to be honest with you...as I drove up myself...I loved the open pasture and all the fall leaves. It looked peaceful and stress free. I need stress free right now. I need peaceful. I had a wonderful afternoon with Renee scrapbooking and talking and laughing about little kids who were so funny back in the day doing the "chubby" thing.lol. I miss that. :) I want that back. It's hard to watch your kids grow up and become more independent. It reminds me that I am getting older, and I really wish I didn't have so many regrets. I want to be one of those people who doesn't regret things, but rather learns from them, and knows that each and every thing that has gone on has been a part of my story. None the less we had a great time laughing and even though Renee thought I was laughing at her misery...lol...I wasn't...I was just enjoying the entire family that was there...and don't always realize how much I miss them.

Speaking of regret....fourth thing. Do you ever do something that you regret at a later time? Do you ever do something so stupid, that goes against who you want to be? I did something that I would be upset for someone else doing to me. Curiosity and my own jealousy took over and I crossed a line that I shouldn't have. :( Makes me very disappointed in myself. Makes me wonder if I will ever learn. I wonder if I'll ever be who I want to be. 32...and I still don't think I know myself. I don't understand myself....how can I expect anyone else to? ohhhh alas...I should quit having a pity party and just deal. I'm thinking that counseling is looking better and better. I was trying to get my girls through their things first...and then help me...well...that time is looking like it needs to be more sooner than later...or who knows what will happen.

Well this post started out so nicely and ended so.....well to be honest .... crappy. Oh well I guess. That's how I feel this evening. Guess exercise needs to be on the agenda. Nothing like blaring music in your ears and sweating up a storm to change your outlook on life. Later I'll wonder why I wrote half of this. Oh well...what else are blogs for.lol