An apology is worth 1000 hugs

It’s amazing how one word can draw upon so many emotions in your life.  Someone could say, “I”m sorry for your loss,” and can break tears.  “I’m sorry for the way I treated you,” can evoke a relief of hatred or anger towards someone.  “I’m sorry I wasn’t there,” can make you have renewed feelings for someone.  “I’m sorry you had to go through that,” and you feel relief that someone understands. 

Just one apology can let go of all these feelings you may have had towards someone in an instant.  I think that’s amazing.  One can be sooo angry at a person, but all they need is an apology, and it all goes away, Poof, gone.  It feels like someone gave you 1000 hugs and a huge weight is lifted off your shoulders, like someone else is sharing your burden. 

Just make sure that your apology is never too late.  Don’t hold back because it could be too late, and you could have a burden weighing on your shoulders for the rest of your life.  Take the time to say sorry and relieve someone else’s burden, be a bigger person and you will be surprised at how much respect you actually gain in turn. 

My not so new years resolution

People who know me would say I’m very motivated and know that I don’t do new years resolutions, I just don’t.  For most people, they choose to workout and be healthy, which they should do all year.  It’s the same to me as saying “I’ll start Monday.”  Just start today-who cares.  Thursday could be the beginning of the week for you!   Why do we make promises to ourselves that only end in regret b/c we only did them for 3 months (or one week in some cases).  Instead, I like to just try to incorporate something new into my life.  So this year, here it is:

I’m going to try to eat 1-3 dinners a week at the kitchen table or on the patio set.  There.  Simple, notice I said 1-3…who can’t do one day per week?  This will help in multiple ways. 

1) It will allow Joey and I time to destress from work and talk about our day, which in turn brings us closer. 

2) We will eat slower, since we are focusing on our food and each other, and not the latest episode of two and a half men (which are reruns anyway).  It’s amazing how we can sit there and watch episodes we have seen over and over again. 

3) Maybe we’ll get more creative in the kitchen and start cooking something together.  now, I usually cook so dinner is ready when he gets home, but maybe…

So all in all, no resolution, just a new solution to dinner!

Cake sure is messy

I had a great wedding cake for my wedding.  The cake was delicious and it looked gorgeous.  See proof below:

One issue from my wedding, my cake lady, Iris Barno wanted to be there to cut the cake b/c she wanted to make sure it was done properly, so we invited her.  My husband and I did not have a first look so we took pictures right after the ceremony, while guests ate appetizers.  She thought that was very unprofessional of me,….say what?  Lots of people do that.  Also, she was in a rush to cut the cake b/c she had to be somewhere.  Well, honestly, she did not have to stay, we know how to cut the cake. 

Regardless, the cake tasted and looked great so my sister used her for her wedding this past weekend.  

 They had picked 100 cupcakes and originally wanted to sample italian cream and red velvet.  At my sisters cake tasting, Iris was ranting about how hard it is to make red velvet cupcaked and keep them moist, so right then and there, Sarah nixed the red velvet an went for all Italian cream cupcakes and a carrot cake topper b/c she loved my carrot cake.  Wedding day comes, she has half red velvet cupcakes and half some other kind with some italian cream filling, not italian cream cupcakes.  AND, a red velvet cake topper.  To top that off, we had to make multiple trips to see her to pay and to give her another set of directions, which she lost, and still pay a delivery fee!  Then the cake stand (which is CARDBOARD), we had to return.  If she lost the directions, she must’ve lost the notes to the type of cake, and I think it may be time for her to stop making cakes.  They taste and look great, but a vendor needs to cater to the people that are paying her the money and not be the one to complain. 

She is making my sister a new carrot cake topper, but a refund would have been nice since none of what we had ordered was right.  Fair?  I think so.  This is my complaint since I cannot use the better business bureau for her.  Great tasting Iris, just not great service and hard to get in touch with.

these are a few of my favorite things

In keeping in line with Jeni’s theme…these are things I love about fall:

Bonfires

Warm sweaters

Sleeping in the hammock with a blanket

Hot chocolate

Wearing thick socks around the house

Cinnamon sticks

Trendy jackets

The crisp air when you first go outside

No frizzies

Fall walks

The smell of wet leaves

Soup in a breadbowl on a rainy day

Thanksgiving and family

I love the change of season, although I will definately miss summer.  This next year will bring about good things and lots of love, happiness, and good times!

My Bears

Beat the Pittsburgh Steelers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Looks like a good year, despite that first game. 

And here is my favorite player….

Matt Forte, a great Running Back! 

DA BEARS!!

Bigger, Stronger, Faster

I got this movie from my blockbuster online queue yesterday and I loved it.  Its a documentary, so for those of you who don’t like those type of movies you may not like this.  It basically follows this man’s two brothers’ steroid use as well as America’s and how and why people use it.  I found it very interesting in the fact that steroid use is not even in the top 100 reasons for people going to the emergency room, its #145!  More people die from tobacco and alcohol (they are in the top 10) then steroid use, it just gets a bad rap.  It’s helped one man recover from AIDS, another has been on it for 36 years.  When people die who are on steroids, they are “assuming” its b/c of their steroid use.  When in reality, it could be other things or a combination of things.  Now, I’m not saying go out and use them or that I’m going to, but I have friends, even female, who have used it, maybe even only a month, and they are just fine, and still normal.  This movie is just a reminder of how much the media and the world put bad names and stereotypes on different products.  Let the government spend less time trying to ban steroids and more time on our economy and this war!

Green thumb help!!

In my whole life, I have only been able to keep one plant alive.  You should know the one I’m talking about, the viney one that NEVER dies and ALWAYS grows…in fact, I have two of those.  I broke a piece off of my original one and am growing another in a cup of water in my window right now.  Since I can keep that alive, why not look like I have more than one plant in the house and have a green thumb. 

My client gave me a plant for valentine’s day.  Beautiful, purple calla lillies-the ones that look like trumpets.  I repotted it, give it water weekly, keep in near the window b/c it needs warmer temps and lots of light, and its wilting, slowly but surely. What am I doing wrong?  Why do I kill plants?  I mean, seriously, I’ve killed two bamboo plants..bamboo!!!  I really dont want these to die so please, any help would be great? 

That brings me to this…do any of you have something you wish you were better at?  Similar to my house plant situation, do you try to do something over and over and continuously fail at it?  Something you wish you were better at?  Maybe we can help each other out!

Life in the Fast Lane

As of Friday evening, the master cleanse was finished, done, nada.  I was so hungry I could not do it anymore.  I had a strawberry/banana protein smoothie and loved it.  Then some chicken and veggies, and a natural pb on wheat.  My stomach did NOT hurt at all, I was full for the ENTIRE night (b/c I ate at 5pm, went to work at 6pm-plus I hadn’t eaten in 5 days), and my body is thanking me and returning back to normal.  I would say I accomplished a lot, and I’m proud of myself, and proud for stopping it.  With such a busy weekend (630am-3am work day saturday) , the energy was MUCH needed. 

I’ve been doing more and more research and also discussing cleansing pills and other detox diets with my dad, who is a pharmacist and knows about the chemical compounds and reactions of many of these “detox” plans.  Most of them just have a laxative and dieuretic effect and do not work in the long run.  Here is some info I think you should read on the dangers of the master cleanse and how you actually are causing your body to build up more toxins, not less. 

I’ve been thinking about probiotics.  They support healthy bacteria in the colon and are easy to take and follow.  Discussing this with my dad currently.  Its in a lot of yogurts, especially organic, Keifer milk, etc.  It even comes in powder forms you can add to smoothies and juices.  Here are also some natural ways to detox your body:

“I’ve discussed the dangers of the Master Cleanse and despite claims to the contrary the Master Cleanse will cause a build up of toxins. If you want to “detox” your body it’s really quite simple; eat more unprocessed fruits and veggies. The most potent detoxifying foods you can eat are cruciferous veggies such as broccoli, arugula, cabbage, bok choy, radish, etc. That peppery taste you find in these veggies are the good stuff, namely the organosulfur compounds that help rev up your liver. Other foods that also contain these beneficial compounds include oninons and garlic. These compounds help create the most important antioxidant in your body, glutathione. It is this super antioxidant that is responsible for the major liver de-toxification duties. So remember the best way to detox and cleanse is to eat more veggies and fruits. Save your bowels and use the cayenne pepper and lemon juice for your next recipe.”

That being said, I did a ton of shopping at Sprouts yesterday, the organic food stores everywhere here, and I feel really good.  Lots of whole grains, lean meats, lunch meats without nitrates or preservatives, probiotic yogurt, fresh fruits and veggies, and natural foods such as chips with no added ingredients, natural soups, etc.  Some things might take more prep work, but its worth it and its worth the little extra money spending on it (hey, thats why I’m working more right?).  I will now be doing more “sprouts” shopping and less regular grocery store shopping.  Except for basics like milk, eggs, etc.  Drinking lots more natural teas and things that are good for me are high on the list as well.  I can’t wait to start this week off the natural way and get back to my routine.  I might even take a yoga class

25 Random facts about me

1) I love Diet Dr Pepper.

 

2) I sometimes sneak in naps but don’t tell anybody.

 

3) My favorite Disney movie will always be The Little Mermaid.

 

4) I sometimes pretend I’m busy just so I can sit at home and relax with my BF or by myself and not do anything at all. 

 

5) I can’t wait to be a mom and sometimes wish I already was.

 

6) I hate the taste of Licorice, bleck!

 

7) Being outdoors in a quiet area is the one thing that makes me feel at peace with no worries.

 

8 ) I want to learn to ride a motorcycle and have my own Harley one day.

 

9)  I love to cook and am always trying new recipes.

 

10) I text message way more than I should, and even when I should not be.

 

11) I’m a Texas girl true down to the core, always have been, always will be.

 

12) I’m obsessed with nutrition and exercise, it’s my life. 

 

13) One of my favorite ways to destress is house cleaning.

 

14) Saying I love the color pink is an understatement.

 

15) I’m obsessed with body hair, and removing it, to the extent of laser hair removal!

 

16) I secretly wish I was a model.

 

17) I am very competitive, especially with board games. 

 

18 ) My sister is my best friend. 

 

19) I could eat chips and salsa every day, along with a margarita. 

 

20) I despise people who are cocky and think they are always right and the world owes everything to them. 

 

21) I still love jumping on trampolines and can for hours on end. 

 

22) I’ve never really been able to trust a man until I met Joey, now I never worry anymore about anything. 

 

23) I’ve always wanted to live near the ocean. 

 

24) I’m a huge sap and cry so easily at the littlest things. 

 

25) Despite hardships and things that happen in life, I tend to still be pretty optimistic about everything. 

Free at last, free at last!

Due to some circumstances that came up last night, I dropped Phil off at the Greyhound bus station this morning and he is going back to Colorado.  Joey and I can go on with our lives with less stress.  Let me just show you a few lines from an email I received as to what made this decision final and quite easier to make:

1) “You’re all old enough to know what that means”-   Referring to what is necessary and what is not.  I’m pretty sure my parents taught me that a LONG time ago. 

2) “Given his past, when he started stealing booze you should have started putting things away where he could not get to them.  That includes your vehicle keys.  You know he lied and stole from us, so what makes you think it was going to be any different?”   -I thought he was trying to change and actually could be a human being who is decent.  I’m a very trustworthy person, I’m supposed to hide EVERYTHING in my house? 

3) “Joe just indicated that Phillip was indeed telling me the truth when you told him you didn’t want him there.  Joe just told me you don’t and that you were through with him too.  How sad.  I will not let you two blame me or make me feel guilty for the decision you made back in November to have Phillip come out there.”  – It’s not sad, I think its sad you think I’m sad.  Its sad that you have given up on your son, when I have given up on someone I hardly know.  No one can tell me how sad I am at something, b/c I feel good about it.  Its sad that you revert to calling people sad and prejudging them. 

4) “Right now I don’t want to talk to any of you.  I’d like you all 3 to read this and when you all think you can call with no yelling or lying let me know in the next few days.  If I don’t hear from anyone, I’ll have Gary call in a couple of weeks.  None of you have to talk to me again…..at this point I just don’t care” -’nuff said right there, I can do that!  Just shows you never really cared to be able to say something like that.  I’ve always said I love you and offered my love with never getting an I love you in return.  May the grace of God be with you b/c I’m not letting this portion of my life affect me anymore. 

An agreeement was signed stating what Phil owed by when and once that is done, its just as stated, its done.  Now Joey and I can concentrate on the loss of time we have missed, the intimate moments alone, and just being us and enjoying it with no worries.  God will grant me the chance to forgive eventually and rise above the next person or what people say.  Right now, its us time!