Foxy Starbuck

Sharing Time

2011-04-26T21:27:00.002-06:00

I haven't been blogging much lately and I can't quite figure out why. Maybe it's because I keep setting these unrealistic goals for myself (HCG is dead... may it burn in H-E-L-L!) on my blog and I keep letting myself down. Maybe it's because I am not quite sure what to talk about because I have waaaay too much going on in my little brain to put down in one post. Or, maybe it's because I can't seem to allow myself to be thoroughly honest on this here blog. Maybe it's mostly that last one and I am just realizing this as I type. So, here we go... take it or leave it, but do something with it!

Honesty from the mouth of FoxyStarbuck:

I love my family (my hubby and little kiddies) They really are the world to me.

I hate when I feel left out of something.

I am happy when I am honest with myself and others.

I am unhappy when I disappoint my husband or anyone else that means a lot to me.

I love silly TV shows like Scrubs. (love that show!)

I don't know why there are people who try to figure me out without knowing anything about me.

I love a beautiful sunset.

I hate hangnails.

I am happy when my little kids give me hugs and slobbery kisses.

I am unhappy when they are hurt or unhappy themselves.

I love dry wit, sarcasm, or biting comments.

I don't want to be bothered with people who are too self involved to see that they play a vital role in their own life and choices.

I love my good friends who lift me up, strengthen me and listen to my stupidity and tolerate my insanity.

I hate that my neighbors house burned down 2 days before Christmas Eve this last year.

I love talking with people who allow me to listen to them and then want to hear my advice afterwards.

I love that my husband studies the Gospel constantly and is learning about sacrifice and the law of consecration, it puts my study time to shame!

I love that my family says prayers together morning and night, without fail. Love that!

I love that I have started to feel a real connection to Mike's Great Grandfather through the books that he wrote. Which, is weird because I don't feel a connection even with my own dead relatives that I have done temple work for.

I am happy when I cook... and eat... and make things that I can share with others... especially when it brings me praise.

I am amused that I have continued this list even though I clearly have shared too much.

I am stopping here.... you have heard too much already.

Still Going, and Strong

2011-01-24T12:31:00.000-07:00

Yesterday and the day before were both good days. Of course one of those days was the other gorge day and well, I did just that. I'm really good at those days. So on day two fo gorging I ate:

1 Chocolate/Chocolate donut from Dunford, yum!
1 Raspberry Fritter from Dunford
1 Coke, the real stuff
1 plate of artichoke pasta, another yum!
1 bowl of mint chip ice cream
1 plate of spicy rigatoni, spicy penne with sausage, lots of bread and some cheesy bread oh, and Dr. Pepper, the real stuff again.
1 ~~more~~ actually, I just ate the rest of the ice cream from the carton... didn't even bother putting it in a bowl, who needs to dirty more dishes anyway?!

I gained 6 pounds between the two days of gorging!?!?

Is this diet really meant to do that? I dunno, but it happened to me.

I can tell you that I felt so gross and imbalanced by the time I went to bed that I was happy to start the diet yesterday. So, I started and it went really well. I made a nice chicken, tomato and basil dish that hit the spot and then a chicken soup for dinner last night. I had apples for my fruit and those worked out pretty well. I wasn't all that hungry, probably because of all the pasta the night before. At any rate, it was a good first day... and I lost 3 pounds right out of the gate this morning. Not too bad for 4 days on the diet, but I still need to lose the other 3 pounds that I gained before I can say that I "lost" weight, right?

Anyway, today is a little bit more difficult with the hunger stuff. I've felt more hungry today so far than I did yesterday. But, I'll report more on that tomorrow.

Here's to the day... To good eats and more weight loss!

Starting It All Over Again!

2011-01-22T11:19:00.004-07:00

I started on HCG yesterday, again! I am giving it another shot after the debacle that the time before this last time was when I tried it and gave myself 5x the proper dose. Yes, I did do it again before this time and after the "5x's" fiasco and I lost 18 pounds... then gained back 9 because, well lets face it: I have very little self control. I am a sucker for sweets and when I went on it this last time it was right before Thanksgiving and c'mon! Who can blame me for gaining 9 pounds back when there's pumpkin pie and Christmas everything?!

So, I'm trying it again and will be going for a 30 day stint, unless I feel really saucy after a few weeks and decide to extend another 13 days for the full 43 day stint. I am using the drops this time, not the shots, so there won't be any improper dosing going on, I hope. If I am trying to be sort of honest with myself I'd say that I need to lose 30 pounds to be where I am happy. And, if I'm being really honest with myself, I'd say that I need to lose 40 pounds. So, it depends on the day and time when it comes to being honest with myself.

Yesterday for my first binge day I ate:

2 slices of fat free bread (fat free, you say... well, I'll make up fo that!), with 8 Tablespoons of melted butter on top and a glass of 2% milk
1/2 a package of chips ahoy cookies with a glass of 2% milk
1 grilled cheese sandwich with a slice of colby/jack cheese, a slice of pepper jack cheese, 2 Tablespoons of butter AND a glass of 2% milk
1 bowl of mint chocolate chip ice cream
2 plates of spaghetti with a tomato cream sauce with artichoke hearts (which I'll be posting on Zula's very soon)
1 more bowl of mint chocolate chip ice cream with 2% milk and chocolate sauce, like a shake

Disgusting!

It makes me want to throw up in my mouth a little just because I'm typing it out. I can't believe that I ate that... and today is day two of binging... I'll report on that later. But, I can assure you that it just gets better!

10 Reasons to NEVER have Caffeine

2011-01-19T12:39:00.001-07:00

1. It is of the Devil and will crush you when you decide to not have it anymore.

2. It sucks your will to live once you become dependent on it, which will happen if it hasn't yet.

3. It gives you the false sense that everything is going to be fine, when in reality everything isn't going to be fine, because you will decide that you need the caffeine more than you need your arm and will proceed to chew off your arm in order to get more.

4. It makes you write run-on sentences when you are trying to illustrate the magnitude of its addictiveness.

5. It gives you a headache for about a week before it leaves your system, some hours are worse than others.

6. Along with the caffeine is the sucralose in the diet drink, it will make you feel more hungry and even munchy during the day when you have nothing but fruit snacks and fish crackers around... WARNING: you will eat them ALL and leave your little children hungry and crying for theirs!

7. It keeps you up at night tossing and turning and tossing and turning.

8. It keeps you up at night tossing and turning and tossing and turning.

9. It makes you repeat things that you forgot you said before.

10. It makes your drinks so much better, but in the end you are left with a week long headache and no memory. But, you do it because you want to sleep uninterrupted and remember things like the last time you brushed your teeth or what day of the week it is... and you want to stop writing run-on sentences too!

2010 Y-I-R

2011-01-14T00:26:00.001-07:00

Here is a snapshot of 2010. You'll have to click on the image to get a real sense of what is going on in some of them, but as you can see it was a full year. Since I was almost a complete slacker when it came to blogging this last year, this will have to somewhat make up for my lack. This year is going to be better... even if all I type some days is "mmmmmmmmmmmmmm" at least it won't be nothing.

Did that just happen?!

2011-01-07T14:47:00.002-07:00

Yesterday was one of those days that I wonder if it really happened. I went on Studio 5 yesterday and did a 10 minute segment on Bundt pans and then demonstrated a Bundt cake, which you can see here on my food blog Zula's Cafe. My dear friend Meg's came with me to help carry things and support. She is the best and I love her for taking most of her day off to be with me. Thank you Meg's!

This is a picture that I took before all the cakes were set out on the display tables.

This is the crew, or at least some of them. They were really impressed that I knew how to control the "wheel thingy" on the top of my camera. That is the technical term that one of them gave the main dial.

This here is crew man #6 who was extremely flirty with all the ladies and as we were cleaning up threw two cinnamon hearts. One hit me in the shoulder and the other hit Meg's square in the nose.

One of the crew took this picture and I know that I should have taken the camera out of manual mode when I gave it to him, but I didn't. Lesson #266 learned of what not to do with my camera for blogging. I tried to fix it the best I could so it would be okay for posting and this is as good as it got.

Anyway, Brooke and Darin were really nice. In fact, I was surprised by how genuinely nice they both were. I thought that I was going to be on the air with only Darin, but Brooke was there too. It was so fun and I am glad that I got to interact with both of them.

When I was on the air I was super nervous right at first, but then once I got to talking, the nerves all went away. And before I knew it, it was all over. The 10 minutes flew and I was sure that it was going to feel like an eternity. Brooke and Darin made me feel so at ease and comfortable. They did all the hard work by taking my nerves away.

After we did the segment we had to clear the table so they could use the area for another segment. I took the rest of the pictures of some of the cakes that were featured for myself, because I ended up giving away all the cakes that I brought. This is the Bavaria. My favorite! Isn't it lovely?

This is from the Garland pan. I only brought 3 and have the other 3 upstairs in Tupperware. We'll probably eat them tonight.

This one has weird focus, but it really did turn out pretty on the air and I don't care that it wasn't a traditional Bundt. It was beautiful and that's really what mattered.

This quartet pan was given to me by Jane the producer that I worked with. Aside from the Bavaria pan, this one was my favorite.

This is Jane the Producer that I worked with for the last three weeks to make sure that this segment was worth while. Thanks so much Jane for everything! It really was something that I'll never forget, that is... if I can start to believe that it happened in the first place.

When we were all finished we left the KSL offices and headed to Mikey's work to exchange cars so I could go pick up the kids from his parents. We ended up going and having a "celebratory" lunch at Zupas. This is my lunch... before I ate it. Ultimate grilled cheese and tomato basil soup.

Don't forget the chocolate dipped Oreo with peppermint chips on top for dessert! Yum!

What a fun morning! I hope that they ask me back for more cooking, or even another product find or two.

Studio 5 Appearence

2011-01-04T22:33:00.002-07:00

For those of you that are interested...

Thanks to a super cute friend of mine for getting me in touch with the proper people, I'm going to be on Studio 5 this Thursday for a cooking segment. I can't say what I'll be cooking or anything like that, but I can tell you that I will be on. It's on KSL Channel 5 at 11am MST. I'm not sure when in the hour that I'll be on exactly, so tune in for the entire show and I promise that you'll spot me at some point.

Check back on Thursday and I'll have all the information about what I demonstrated on Zula's Cafe.

Wish me luck!

A New Me

2011-01-03T10:23:00.000-07:00

Its a new year with new resolves and... a new 101 list. I am in process of completing it, but some of my new 101 list includes things like:

Pay more attention to my blog and make additions regularly.

Take more picture to post on my blog and post them regularly.

Try to remember that all of my 5 followers are interested in my blog regularly.

I think theres a theme starting here, but I'm not quite sure what it is. Maybe its that I need to be more regular, wait... that didn't sound right.

I hope that the new year was as enjoyable for you as it was for me. My husband and I put the kids down and watched Gone with the Wind on bluray. It was an awesome night! My favorite movie with my favorite man, doesn't get much better than that.

Over the past couple of weeks I've been trying my hat at some new things like, crafty crafts and artsy photos that I've taken myself. I guess another thing that should go on my list is trying to be more creative on a more regular basis... there we go with the regular again.

Happy New Year everybody!

Xander and Rory... and Lucy too!

2010-08-18T17:27:00.001-06:00

Lucy and Matty

2010-08-13T16:26:00.000-06:00

I took Lucy and Matty out this morning and captured these pictures of them. I think that they are pretty darned cute myself.

Terri

2010-08-13T16:21:00.000-06:00

Terri and I went out to the Bonneville Salt Flats this last weekend. It was a perfect day and these pictures turned out great!

Emily

2010-08-13T16:12:00.000-06:00

Emily was kind enough to go down to Southern Utah with me for the day a couple of weeks ago. I think that these turned out pretty beautifully and it helps to have such a gorgeous subject to work with both Emily and the awesome state we live in.

Expanding the Lens

2010-07-20T12:51:00.001-06:00

I have been taking pictures of food for my blog for a couple of years now, and have dabbled here and there with taking pictures of my kids etc. Well, recently I decided that I wanted to expand my love of photo taking. So, I got some new equipment, found some subjects, locations and the rest, as they say, is history now documented.

Thanks to the wonderful families that decided to bare with me through this. I am pleased as punch and hope you are too!

Happy Birthday, Matty!

2010-07-15T11:54:00.002-06:00

My little guy turned one last week and we had a party in his honor. With cake and ice cream abounding, we lit the candle and had Lu blow it out.

Happy Birthday, Big Guy!

Running, always running

2010-04-08T14:53:00.001-06:00

I started running about a week and a half ago. I've gone 5 days out of the last10, so I guess thats a good start. I haven't ever really liked running before now. I always liked the idea of it, but the execution just seemed too daunting. So, I liked to talk a good game, but didn't really ever do it. There are a few things though, that I was lacking at the time of my lip service towards running, like:

Running shoes: I used to wear these Sketchers that I got forever ago to run in. They were cross trainers and were great to wear to the gym when I was lifting or something, but frankly sucked A** when it came to running in them. My feet would fall asleep every. single. time. I ran. no lie. So, this time I got myself some running shoes to wear for this adventure of mine. They aren't super duper fancy, but they are "running shoes", intended for running and they make all the difference in the world.
Jogger Stroller: I also used to think that a jogger stroller was a jogger stroller and that they are all the same, so why waste money on a higher end stroller if I can get the same thing for a lot less. Boy, oh, Boy was I wrong on that account. A jogger stroller that is made well for jogging makes so much more sense to me now. The stroller that I use now I can push with my finger. My first jogger stroller felt like I was hauling 40 extra pounds with me and I only had one kind then, now I have two and I hardly even notice the weight they both carry.
Eating right: I've been studying a lot about runners and their techniques for gearing up to run. I read about Bobby Flay who, in case you don't know... is a chef on Food Network. I love Bobby Flay. Bobby also happens to be a runner. He was interviewed and said that the reason he runs is because he loves to eat. I don't know why in all my years of cooking I never thought that... until Bobby. I too love to eat and cook and bake and, and, and... so, of course I should run because of it. Now with this new epiphany I am trying to make more wholesome things to eat. I don't succeed all of the time, but I'm learning and experimenting and trying to find new things to make and enjoy that will help me in my new running adventures. With a few cookies along the way.
Drinking water: I have always had a love/hate relationship with water. When I'm all fueled to try a new diet or something I am on the water thing like crazy... and then I get totally burned out with water and don't drink any. at. all. So, I am trying to take water in moderation. I try to drink a quart at least an hour before I go out for a run and another quart when I get home. I still am not great at the water thing, but am seriously making efforts to improve myself in this regard.

Right now I am turning my efforts towards the Race for the Cure on May 8th. It's a 5K and I think that its a great start for me, because I've never participated in any sort of race. So, I'm wanting to just have fun and enjoy running for the time that I have to myself, thoughts, music, nature... all of the above.

HCG Log Day 10

2010-03-27T15:26:00.000-06:00

It is official that I am cycling off of HCG. I screwed myself and still haven't lost any more weight. So, for those of you that are thinking about doing this diet, I will say a few things about it. If you do it right (and I know this because I've done it before and I lost 28 pounds) you can be successful. If you do it wrong, you are screwed. So, do it right and you won't fail. I really don't know what I was thinking about when I started and gave myself too much of the HCG. All I can figure is that I was a bit retarded at the time, but am better now.

I may try it again towards the end of the summer, but am not sure. I have to be off of it for 6 weeks because my body has become immune to the HCG and isn't doing what it should be doing now. And 6 weeks form now doesn't give me enough time to be on it again for 4 weeks before I go on my anniversary trip. So, its back to the drawing board for me. Actually I got these awesome running shoes a few weeks ago and have been wanting to start running. I haven't been able to being on HCG. Consuming only 500 calories a day doesn't provide the body with nearly enough calories to exercise... in fact if you do exercise while on HCG you will probably gain weight.

So, I'm kind of excited to start the running. Its getting warmer and the sun is out and I have running shoes and a jogger stroller... whats holding me back? Oh, that's right... HCG. So, this will be my last log on my failed attempt to be on HCG. I guess I should have done this log when I was on it the first time, but I think I was a little too embarrassed that I was doing it in the first place. I will be on the 500 calorie diet for another 3 days before the HCG is completely out of my system. Then should transition to a low-carb diet for 3 weeks before adding more calories and finding where my caloric intake should be, or my BMR. Anyway, I guess it made for a good couple weeks worth of blogging, if nothing else.

HCG Log - Days 8 and 9

2010-03-26T13:34:00.000-06:00

Well, I've had a bit of a setback. I realized the night before last that I've been giving myself far too much HCG in my injections. So, I had a choice to do one of two things...

Cycle off and wait 6 weeks to start again.
Lower my dosage and see if in a week, I start losing again.

I decided to go with number 2 and just lower my dosage to see if I start losing again within a week. I am still where I was 2 days ago, but am hopeful that I will see some change tomorrow. Fingers crossed. The thing that I discovered is that if you have too high a dose of HCG in your system it actually does the opposite effect from the lower dose. So, you gain weight. I gained 0.3 pounds on Tuesday and thought that was kind of weird and then realized that I was a moron and had been giving myself the wrong dose of HCG. So, this is a word to the wise... Make sure that you know exactly which dosage you are supposed to have before you start... otherwise you might end up in my shoes. and let me tell you ... they aren't fun ones to be in right now.

Other than the setback I've been really good with the diet. I even made Snickerdoodles yesterday for my hubby and daughter and didn't cheat. Yay me! But I will say this... With the higher dose of HCG I was a heck of a lot more hungry than I am with the lower dose. I know that sounds super strange, but its super true. The lower dose makes me less hungry. Strange.

HCG Log - Day 7

2010-03-24T09:54:00.000-06:00

So, I forgot to give myself my injection/shot yesterday. I didn't remember that I'd forgot until about 6pm and by then it was waaay past the "buffer" period to have it. So, I stepped on the scale today and I'd gained 0.3 pounds. Kinda sucks, but its really my own fault for forgetting to have the shot. Otherwise the day went splendidly. I was super hungry yesterday and when I realized that I hadn't had the shot it made all the sense in the world as to why I was hungry. You see, the HCG acts as an appetite suppressant along with everything else that it does. So, I am writing on my mirror... DON'T FORGET YOUR SHOT! Then when I wake up in the morning I can give myself the shot and not forget again.

Day 6

2010-03-23T13:59:00.000-06:00

I'm still going strong as of this morning. I lost another 2 pounds last night so, I'm down 5 pounds total, so far. I'm sure that the majority of the weight lost so far is water weight, but I don't really care... its five pounds!

I've discovered the importance of variety in this diet and so, for lunch today I made a soup. Here is the recipe:

4 oz. chicken breast
2 cups water
1 clove garlic, minced
1 chicken bouillon cube
celery serving for this meal
fresh ground pepper
fresh herbs of your choice, finely chopped

Boil chicken in water. When chicken is almost finished cooking, add bouillon, garlic, celery, and pepper. Cut up chicken into bite size pieces while in the pan. Stir in fresh herbs and serve.

Yield: 1 serving

Super easy and super yummy and filling too!

I was thinking about a few things that might help somebody that hasn't ever attempted this diet before and came up with a list.

Drink, drink, drink as much water or tea as you can. The more fluid you intake the more weight you lose.
Get enough sleep at night. The HCG isn't going to do its job if you aren't getting at least 6 hours of sleep. The more the better.
Break up your meals throughout the day. I don't have breakfast, but have tea instead. I eat lunch, a snack, dinner and another snack. It helps with the "I'm starved" feeling if you eat a little bit all throughout the day.
And this one I think is most important... find something to do with your time so you aren't thinking about how you are only eating 500 calories a day and all you really want is that brownie instead... REMEMBER 1 brownie = 3 POUNDS and three days to lose it again.

Day 4 and 5

2010-03-22T15:53:00.000-06:00

So, I didn't even turn on my computer yesterday. I figure that I'm on it enough monday through Saturday, so it can take a break from me and me from it, for one day. The last two days have been good. I hit my 500 calories yesterday and when I woke up this morning and stepped on the scale I was down 3 pounds, you heard it right THREE POUNDS!!! YAY! It's working!

I discovered something that I wish I would have clued into the last time I did HCG and that is, tea. I have been having tea a couple/few times a day and it is just enough to break up that water intake nicely. It's almost like dessert water, if I add enough Truvia, which bytheway is the best sweetener out there. It is awesome.

I thought about posting what my start weight was and what the end weight will be, but then I thought... I'm posting up practically my blow by blow of this diet, they don't need to know what my start weight is... I hardly want to know what my start weight is. All I want to know is how much of that start weight is gone by the end of this 23 injection adventure. The End.

HCG Log -- Day 3

2010-03-20T10:46:00.001-06:00

Today is off to a pretty good start. Last night I was just about done with consuming too many calories and was thankful that I could go to sleep and stop eating. Today so far all I've had is water. From this point on I take in 500 calories per day until the end of the 23 injections that I will have. The HCG helps as an appetite suppressant and in conjunction with the suppressing of the appetite, burns off the fat in your body. So you don't lose any muscle mass like you would on say, a low carb diet, where the weight you lose is overall weight and not just fat. On HCG its all fat... you gotta love that!

Anyway, the diet today will be as follows:

Water until noon
Lunch: 4 oz. chicken, 1 melba toast, 1/2 cucumber
Snack: apple
Dinner: 4 oz. chicken, 1 melba toast, 6 asparagus spears
Snack: 1 cup strawberries

And of course water all day long. I will try to take in at least 2 liters of water per day, but if I take in more, that is great! The more water you take in, the more weight you lose. So, bring on the water!

HCG Log Stardate; Umm... Day 2

2010-03-19T15:25:00.001-06:00

I guess that I should stop the Star Trek log. I figured it would start to confuse people, especially me. Anyway, it's day two and I am cruising along. I consumed 4340 calories yesterday and am currently up to 2019 with 3 more bowls of fettuccine waiting for me before the day is through. Now, I tried to get the excel spreadsheet on here, but I can't upload those kinds of files, just pictures... so that's a bummer. But know this; it is a fantastic spreadsheet that I created. It encompasses everything that I need to keep track of while on this diet.

Date
Day I'm currently on in the diet
Morning Weight
Meal Food Fluid Calories
Breakfast
Snack
Lunch
Snack
Dinner
Snack
Daily Total of Calories =

And its nicely formatted to give me the proper calculations. Can I just say that, I love excel!

HCG Log; stardate 3182010

2010-03-18T10:32:00.002-06:00

DAY: 1

It's officially the beginning. I had my first injection this morning and promptly made the most fattening waffles in the history of the world. I literally had to gag down the last few bites. Here's a little list of the ingredients:

2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 Tablespoons sugar
1/2 Tablespoon baking soda
1/2 cup butter, melted
4 egg yolks
1/2 cup milk

Mix all ingredients together and cook on a waffle iron until done, serve with syrup.

Yield: 4 Waffles (I ate 3)

Holy Moly! These were so buttery and yolky and I wouldn't ever make them again, unless I was on this diet and in this gorge phase. I think that they will do the trick just fine, though.

I still need to figure out the calorie count and once I do that I'll post it. I know that its a lot though, so I'm good for now. Also, I'm working on a spreadsheet that I can input all my information and numbers into, aka; food intake, weight, calories, etc.. Once I get that so I'm happy with it, I'll post that as well.

So, here's to the first day! We're off to the races!

HCG Log, stardate 3152010

2010-03-15T21:50:00.001-06:00

This is the first official HCG post that I am writing to the internets about my journey to conquer this diet. I have the HCG in hand, well not exactly in my hand, its in the fridge. But, the point is that I am going to be starting this journey probably the day after tomorrow. I still need to get a few things before I'm going to feel completely confident about starting. So, the first phase of the diet is to binge eat for two days. I will take the HCG or more accurately, inject the HCG, and will also engage in binge eating of the most fattening foods I can find (or make). This sounds like it would be easy to do, but its not as easy as you might think it is. You need to eat until you are so full you think you just might throw up, and then eat some more. The point of this is to help the HCG locate the right kind of fat in your body to burn. The more fattening the food the more likely you will not be one of the following while on the diet...

hungry; I know that this sounds weird, but its really true, the more you binge the first two days the less hungry you will feel the duration of the diet.
starving, oh wait, that's the same as hungry

I can't remember the other thing that I was going to say, so just take my word for it on the binging. Binge, binge, binge on brownies and fettucini alfredo and doughnuts and butter, butter, butter... mmm, butter. You want to hate butter when the two days are up.

I'm excited to start and will let you know how I'm doing once I start oinking out for that first two days.

HCG, here I come.

2010-03-10T15:21:00.000-07:00

It has been way too long wince I wrote and voiced my thoughts, actions, deeds, whatnot to the internets. It's about time I got to it again. I've been kinda busy with my cooking blog and in case you've missed it, I have a cooking blog that is called Zula's Cafe. It's named after my Nanny, who, in her own right was a fabulous southern cook. Now, I have only put southern recipes up there every once in a while. Come to think of it, I should really put more Southern recipes on my southern recipe blog, but for now... its just things that I like and make. Mostly lately its been things that I've never made before. I like it a lot. Its a complete and total creative release for me. I get to cook, write, and take pictures. The three things that I enjoy most nowadays... besides raising my kids and being a girlfriend to my husband.

Now... the real reason for this post is to put out there my confession. I am going to venture down the HCG road. Now, I know that many of you will poo-poo the idea of doing a drastic thing like HCG, but I have to tell you; I am going to NY with my husband for our 10 year anniversary in May/June and I don't want to be self conscience while we're there. So, I'm taking drastic measures. I am going to start this diet next week and it will last for a minimun of 30 days. I am going to be documenting my progress/frustrations/fears/successes all of the above on HERE! So, keep checking back, because it just might either inspire or instill fear in those of you that are looking into a diet like this one.

Phamily Photo Phun!

2009-03-09T16:45:00.004-06:00

Tuce has wanted to look at this picture that we took yesterday just about nonstop. She keeps saying "Daddy" and I know that she wants to look at the picture again. So, I pull it up for her to look at... well, the last time I pulled it up we had this conversation:

Me: Lucy, who is that? (pointing to Michael)
Tucy: Daddy
Me: And, who is that? (pointing to me)
Tucy: Mommy
Me: And, Lucy... who is that? (pointing to her)
Tucy: Coat

Interview Me!

2009-02-11T17:53:00.003-07:00

So, I asked Maeve to interview me from her blog. I was so excited to get the questions, but haven't taken the time to actually answer them... until now, so here goes.

1.) Your little girls name is Tucy, is that her full name. Its so original where did it come from and how did you come to choose it?

Actually her name is Lucy Ellen, but I just refer to her as Tucy on here. I started it right after she was born and it just kind of stuck. That is her official "web" name I guess. She is named after her two grandmothers, my mom's name is Lucy and Mike's mom's middle name is Ellen.

2.) I remember you and Mike always being very active. I especially remember a roller blade phase. Are you still that active? What is your favorite outdoor activity?

I used to be so active, but I haven't been as much over the last few years. When I got pregnant with Tuce I freaked myself out about doing anything physical because I was high risk. It's been kind of hard to get back into that mode. I'm not a very motivated person when it comes to exercise. But, this time around the almost 2 year old that I live with has forced me to be much more active. So, I'm hoping that it sticks after the little guy gets here, which I'm sure it will, because Tuce isn't going to slow down any time soon.

3.) You mentioned in your last post you are having another baby fox, a boy, congrats!! What is the most exciting thing about a baby and what are you dreading the most.

I'm mostly excited that we're having a boy! I never, ever thought that I'd feel that way, but I truly do. I just don't know what to do with one. I think that is the thing that I'm dreading most. But, then again I didn't know what to do with a baby, period, and I think I kinda figured that one out.

4.) You and Mike have been together for a long time. When did you first fall in love with him?

I had a huge crush on him from the time that I was like 15 or something ridiculous like that. I do remember the first time that he actually said "I love you" though. It was after a trip that he took back east and he was gone for 10 days (I think). Anyway, he called me as soon as he got out of the airport and had me meet him at his apartment. I guess he couldn't wait any longer to tell me. I loved him for a while before he said the words, but never said it to him. I guess I didn't want to be the "girl that said it first". However silly that is.

5.) And for the final question: If you could have any profession in the world, and money didn't matter, what would it be and why?

I would probably be a professional blogger. I love to blog about myself, my family, my friends, my everything. I'm not as open as others out there, but I still love to do it. I think that it's the one thing that I have consistently gravitated back to and I can be fairly flighty with some things.

Thanks so much Maeve for the interview questions. I had fun answering them and hope that whoever reads this has had fun doing the same. Oh, and if you want me to interview you...

Here's the directions:
1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me."
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. (I get to pick the questions).
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

Found out today...

2009-01-30T14:54:00.002-07:00

We're having a BOY!

I kind of can't believe it! What am I going to do with a boy?! I think that I kind of have the girl thing down, but this boy stuff... I'm not sure.

Anyway, it's still exciting and Tuce will be glad to push around another kid whether it be a boy or a girl. I don't think she'll mind all that much.

Sitting After... Always Sitting

2009-01-05T16:58:00.004-07:00

Here I sit with nothing to do but write on my blog that I've been neglecting for far too long. I underwent surgery on Friday which was a treat. I had to have what is called a "Cervical Cerclage" placed, because I am pregnant with the second Foxy Baby and this procedure is the only way to ensure that said baby will get here in a timely manner. I am not quite sure if I have talked about this procedure before, but this time was far worse than the last time. Now after I had this blessed procedure I came home and went straight to bed. The next day is the key to this event... I woke up on Saturday morning and felt as though I had been a trapeze artist for the entire surgical crew the day before. My entire upper body was stiff and sore and it has taken me until today to feel even somewhat better.

So, here I sit... Tucy is asleep for the second time today which I am eternally grateful for because I don't quite know what to do with her these days, and I can tell that she senses that there are major changes afoot. She didn't want to have anything to do with me this weekend, which was good for me because I couldn't really do much with her and was very glad that Mike was here to attend to her. It also makes me very glad that I have Mike and that he is so great to me and Tuce... it's nice to have him.

Thanking

2008-11-24T11:53:00.003-07:00

This week we celebrate Thanksgiving. I've been thinking a lot about what this holiday is for and have come up with a few ideas... Sure, it's for yummy food and to get together with family and friends, but what is it really about? Being thankful for this awesomely wonderful country that we live in where we can believe what we want to believe and vote how we want to vote? Is that really what we celebrate anymore? I haven't felt until recently that our nation and rights to be thankful for these big things like the right to religion and choosing what is best for your family are truly under attack. Maybe that didn't come out quite right, but I am concerned for the welfare of my family and if I am dealing with these issues now, what will my kids be dealing with when they have kids? I believe that this glorious country that people from all over the world wish and hope to come to is falling apart thread by thread. I just hope that there are still things to be thankful for when my little ones are grown. As for now... I am thankful for:

My Family
My Belief in God and my right to believe in Him how I choose to believe in Him
My Husband
My Little Lu
My Home
My Right to vote how I WANT to vote and not how people feel that I SHOULD vote... not that anyone has... yet.

iVoted

2008-11-04T12:55:00.001-07:00

Have you?

Is There Something In The Air?

2008-10-06T10:30:00.002-06:00

I guess that its fall now... I woke up this morning and I could see my breath outside... just kidding, but it was cold compared to other mornings. I guess that fall is officially here then. Which means that Halloween is just around the corner and the question everyone has is:

What should I be for Halloween?

So, here are my options...

Battlestar Galactica Crew Member (Maybe even Admiral Adama)

And... that's about it, so I guess that's what I'm gonna be! Yay! I love Halloween!

Now, for the Tuce... I want her to be a white kitty cat, but can't find a costume, so I need to make one. Any suggestions as to where I should go for a pattern? Other than a fabric store, that is.

Timeshare Woes'

2008-09-12T14:56:00.004-06:00

Dear Owner Services,

We sold our timeshare that we owned before we were married and I inherited after we were married, about 4 months ago. And it's still in our name. This has been nothing less than a nightmare. After many phone calls, which by the way, the new owner doesn't even have the same phone number anymore... and almost letters drafted up from our Lawyer... I got a call from the lady that brought us money in exchange for the Timeshare back in April. I explained to her that we keep getting information about this Timeshare and that it still is not in their name.

THEN... After I have talked to your office about 50 times, I called last week and they tell me that the County will NOT send them a copy of the Deed... Oh, no... he said... that's your responsibility to send that up to us. WELL THANKS FOR CLARIFYING!!! I've been trying to sort his bloody thing out for 4 months now and NOW you tell me that?!?! I have asked specifically about that and everyone that I have talked to said that the County would send you a copy... but now they WON'T? And to top it all off... I have been trying to get a hold of someone for 3 FREAKING days and no one has called me back AND we just got another Statement for the Maintenance fees that state that if they aren't paid by the end of October then a Lien will be placed on the property!

Thanks Owner Services... You're truly a gem.

Sarah

Fred and Me

2008-08-27T10:42:00.006-06:00

I started a Ballroom class last week. We learned the Rumba. This week we learn the Cha-Cha-Cha and the Tango. I really like it so far. I do need to get some high heals that I can wear to dance in because tennis shoes just don't quite cut it. Hopefully one day I'll be as graceful as Ginger Rodgers and be able to float over the dance floor... probably not. But, its something to hope for, right?

So, next Saturday I am starting a beginning Cha-Cha-Cha class and after this level 1 ballroom class is finished than I'll be starting the level 2 class. Mikey is all behind me with this because its something that I'm so excited about doing. I love ballroom and I've wanted to take a class now for, well our entire marriage.

Yearbook Yourself

2008-08-22T11:13:00.003-06:00

Me... Circa 1996... I think I look better in this picture than I actually did back then. Yearbook yourself here. Then post a comment in my comments so I can see who did it and what you looked like. Its super fun, I promise!

In Honor...

2008-08-07T14:59:00.002-06:00

I know that this makes me an Uber-Dork, but I just finished the final addition to the Twilight series yesterday. So, I saw this background and decided that it was appropriate to change for that reason alone. Now, I know that chess pieces have nothing to do with summer and they don't ever match the cute pictures that I have at the top of the page, but I don't care.

Its over...

No more Twilight books. This makes me the biggest nerd and some of you would I am SURE stick their noses up at me for even reading them in the first place. But, when you have 30, 12-18 year-old girls telling you every week that you should read them... you eventually give in to that "peer" pressure and ask for the first one for Christmas. And, then because your baby is too young to really do anything except sleep and eat, you end up reading the first 3 books in just over a weeks time. And, once you're done with that, you think... I wonder how its gonna end?!?! So, you go out and buy the last book the day it comes out (not in a big rush like fashion like others, but in a leisurely way) go home that evening and stay up until 3AM reading. You then pick at the rest of it (because of certain husbands coming home and certain daughters needing to be fed you can't sit and read it straight through) for the next 4 days and finally finish it yesterday.

I'm not going to go into my thoughts about it. I'll give everyone a chance to come to their own conclusions... But, I will say that it KILLED me that I couldn't read and read and read and read until it was done. That is all I'm gonna say about it.

Sharing Memories

2008-07-30T11:21:00.002-06:00

So, Meg did this one too and I thought it was a swell idea. Not that I expect everyone to put up a memory of me (I see very few participating, actually) but I thought it was worth the post anyway. So, here's what you do...

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

need EYE say more?

2008-07-28T20:49:00.001-06:00

Away, away... My hearts on FIRE!

2008-07-27T22:54:00.007-06:00

So, Mikey has been in Romania for the last week and he'll be there for another week still. I've been talking to him every day and we both set up accounts on Skype so we could not only talk but see each other for FREE! It's pretty awesome, really. I never would've thought that this would be possible 10 or even 5 years ago and now here we are! Anyway, I just wanted to put up a few pictures that have been forwarded to me by Emily, Ethan's wife. I have seriously appreciated the pictures that she's sent, because otherwise I would have just thought that Mikey went down to Southern Utah for two weeks and I just happened to drop him at the airport before he caught a ride down there. The pictures add to the reality of him being in a faraway land.

Picture Tales About ME!

2008-07-25T11:12:00.019-06:00

So I was tagged by Meg on her blog to do this and I thought it was fun to see the images that popped up on Google for all of my different likes and dislikes.

Age on my NEXT Birthday: My age as of last Saturday was 30... And, I'm not all that broken up about it. I am embracing this new age in a way that has actually surprised me. Hopefully my age next year will be pretty good too. Crossing my fingees!

Month my Birthday is in: The month in which I was born is indeed the month we are in right now. Filled with fireworks and ice cream.

Place I'd like to visit: I've always wanted to visit places far and away, but this is the one place that I could visit and then die happy afterwards. Maybe someday.

Favorite place: Mike says that I get a particular look on my face when I climb into bed at night. It's a look that say "its finally time to go to sleep"! It is truly my favorite place in the world.

One of your favorite things to do: I never thought that being one with the Internet would be so fun and strangely fulfilling, but it has been and continues to be.

Favortie Color: I love this color and not necessarily the singer. I could take her or leave her, really.

One of my favortie foods: Its truly sad that I love these things as much as I do. It helped contribute to the massive amount of weight that I've gained and continues to help retain it, because I just love me some a them, sometimes.

One of my least favortie foods: I can handle these cooked and sometimes fresh (only in salsa and only vidalia or sweet ones), but otherwise they can go away!

Favorite Flower: I wish that I'd been able to have an enormous bouquet of these when we got married, but the truth of the matter was that I only had so much money and these were too expensive. It doesn't change the fact that I love them, still.

City in which I live: I don't know how long ago this billboard was up, but it can't be all that recent... after all, our car was broken into just about a week ago. 34Th safest place?!?! I think not.

Name of a past pet: My little doggy that we had for too long was put down a couple years ago and we did indeed name her after a "Star Trek" character... it's no lie.

A nickname that people call me: I don't know why my sister calls me "Darrell", but she does and it stems from "Newhart". Oh, the days when TV shows were all but a dream.

College Major: Seriously?!?!

My first job: I waited tables in the dining room at The Friendship Manor when I was 15 with my good friend Emily. We got the job together. It was one of those times that I'll never forget in my life. Totally fun and carefree, man! AND... I can't believe that they had this picture on Google Images... although, they didn't have the NEON sign when I worked there, that came later.

A hope for 2008: Isn't it a hope for just about everyone?! Silly I know, but you know me.

Now I tag: Mle, Terrible, Lolly, Lizbah, Lydia and Mary... I know that most of you prolly won't participate, but if I get even one of you than I will feel like I accomplished something in my life. Here's what you do: do a google image search and choose an image from the first page after you answer all of the questions.

Love you all!

30, Flirty and Thriving!

2008-07-21T12:58:00.013-06:00

So, I had a wonderful Birthday this last weekend. I had some family over for cake and ice cream on Friday night and went and saw The Police on my Birthday (which was Saturday). it was just about the best concert that I've ever been to. They were AWESOME! My only complaint is that they didn't sing "Bring on the Night", but you can't have everything, right?

Anywho... here are some pictures of me and the cake that I made myself for my birthday. The recipe is here if you're interested. It's my 30, flirty and thriving cake. Every 30 year old should have one.

Have You Ever Seen a Grown Woman Scream?

2008-07-16T11:14:00.003-06:00

The following incident is by no means a reflection of Foxy Starbuck or its Affiliates.

Day: July 15, 2008

Time: 2:30 PM

Place: My Front Yard

Incident: Pulling weeds along our driveway when all of the sudden out of nowhere this enormous BEE comes flying at my head. I duck and swerve and yell in the ugliest voice I can muster "Get AWAY From Me!", then proceed to run into the open garage and then inside because I am so embarrassed by the sound that just protruded from my very lips. I stay inside for another 2 hours with the hope that 1. No one saw my display of utter cowardice with a bee; and 2. If they had seen it, they forgot about it by the time I got back outside.

Birfday Blews

2008-07-15T10:13:00.005-06:00

Over the last few years I've had a bit of a hard time reaching my birthday. If you don't remember then you can get a re-cap here or here, but I'm really trying to have a better attitude this year. We are going to see The Police in concert that night, which I am truly excited about. Now if only Sting would sing "Don't Stand So Close to Me"... I could die happy at 30. But, really I want him to sing "Bring on the Night" because I believe that is the best Police song, ever.

Anyway, back to the birfday blews... Turning 30 has got to be harder on my mom than it is on me. I mean after all I am her youngest. The last child to reach their 30's. She almost had a nervous breakdown when I turned 13, because all her kids were now teenagers. Maybe she doesn't realize that this is the year that all her children will be out of their 20's and maybe I don't need to remind her... btw, Mom... You should have stopped reading at the last paragraph, or really, you shouldn't have read this post at all.

Here is a little montage of pictures of me turning various ages throughout the years, just to remind myself that I was young... once.

Summer Nights

2008-07-09T11:15:00.003-06:00

So, Mikey and I went on a drive last night at around 9:30 in the p.m. We had the windows rolled down, sunroof open and music up... and of course Tucy in the back seat. While we were driving I remembered this summer night that Ethan and I drove up to Farmington to pick up a camera. It was a few months after I had bought my Cabrio and he hadn't driven it yet. So, I let him drive. It was about 10:30 or 11 at night and there weren't many people on the road. We had the top down and the music cranked. The reason I remember this so vividly is because while we were on the Freeway, Ethan had this idea to look up whenever we went underneath a bridge. So, for the entire trip that's just what we did.

Then when Mikey and I were driving around last night, I looked up when we went under a bridge and it brought my right back to that time.

Then I started thinking about when I lived in SL and how Mikey used to come over to our house in his old 4Runner with the music blaring. We'd all sit out in the front yard for hours chatting and hanging out, then go on a drive in his 4Runner to find a 7-11 that none of us had ever been to before. Those summer nights when the low is 70 degrees. Summer is good times and I wish it'd stick around all year.

C'mon Little Doe-ggie!

2008-06-26T10:59:00.005-06:00

Lucy has been crawling around lately with things in her mouth, like toys or her sippy cup. This morning it was a sock. It was a clean sock from the laundry basket that I had in the living room waiting to be folded.

what the..?!?!

2008-06-23T16:48:00.001-06:00

You Are Aurora! (A.K.A. Sleeping Beauty.)

Thoughtful and loving. Authority figures probably have been sheltering you all of your life. Thankfully you're a very tranquil person who is content with what life has given you, but secretly you want to know how the outside world works.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

What the crap kind of quiz is this to say that I'm Sleeping Beauty?! This quiz is clearly rigged.

Thistles

2008-06-18T14:27:00.004-06:00

This thistle is growing in our rain gutter above our patio in the backyard. It is no lie... in fact, you can see another thistle next to it and there is indeed another next to that one. Mike said that he isn't going to remove it until you can see it from the front of the house.

I don't dare go up on the roof for fear of what else is up there. A stinging nettle maybe? I dunno.

Lucy Tuce

2008-06-06T10:48:00.007-06:00

My little girl is getting so big I can't even believe it! She is fitting in 18 month old pants and will be walking at some point. When did she become not a baby?!?!

Here are a couple pictures of her as of late... I think she's a gem!

Wasting Time

2008-06-04T11:39:00.002-06:00

How much do we sit wasting time on mundane or irrelevant things? I waste SO much time that it might be classified as embarrassing. My mom used to refer to me as the "doddler" in the family and I know that I've talked about this before but, it hasn't changed in the 2 years since I last brought it up. I recently discovered this magazine and I really wanna get it. It's supposedly has all these ideas about how to organize everything from...

Your Home
to
Your Leisure

It is definitely something that I need to look into getting. Mikey and I had this big conversation while we were at dinner for our anniversary about having another baby. I am not ready, but he feels like he isn't getting any younger. So, we're at a crossroads about it. I feel like I need to wait a little bit longer, because I don't want to go through all that I went through before just yet. That and I haven't lost all the weight yet that I gained before. Which brings back the doddler part of me. He asked if the reason for me not losing the weight is because I don't want to be pregnant again.. and, you know I hadn't actually thought of it that way, but I think that he might have something with that. Then the realization kicked in that I am a selfish, selfish person who only thinks about herself. But, lets stick with the "doddling"... one thing at a time here.

So, my point is that maybe if I get something that will help me learn HOW to not doddle, then I can start to utilize those skills with everything, from cleaning my house to exercising.

The first step is buying the magazine... so, we'll see.

Has it been that long?

2008-06-02T12:44:00.006-06:00

Mikey and I have been married for 8 years today!

I can't believe that it's been that long! It seems like almost yesterday that we got married and were heading down to St. George for our honeymoon.

Crazy!

Anyway, I don't have a scanner, but I do have a camera, so I took a picture of a couple wedding pictures from that time.

So, I've been thinking about all that we have been through together since we've been married and I came up with a list. Here it is for all that are interested:

2000 - Quit my other job and hung out by the pool all summer long. (got a rippin' tan, too)
Started teaching Pre-School again at Realms
2001 - My Nanny died
Read the first 4 Harry Potter books
September 11th happened
Left Realms (a story for another time, perhaps)
2002 - Found out I was pregnant
Had a miscarriage
Mikey's Grandmother died
Found another job and started learing Quickbooks
2003 - Touched by an Angel was cancelled (i.e. Mikey out of a job)
Mikey started his business with his long-time working buddy
I was layed off and started working at The Costume Closet
2004 - quit costume Closet and started working as an office manager for an A-hole!
Had an awsome Halloween party where I went as Miss America with a tiara and all
2005 - Mikey business moved into a bigger office space and they landed the FarenHYPE 9/11 documentary... Production AND Post Production... I was the Production Accountant
I was fired from that Office manager job, because he's an A-hole!
I found out I was pregnant again
I had another miscarriage
Remodeled our living room and turned a bedroom upstairs into a dining room... and we did a lot of other home repairs.
Got another job working at this awesome company for these awesome people!
2006 - Mikey's Grandfather died
I found out I was pregnant again
Went through a rough pregnancy (because I'm classified "High Risk" with an "Incompetent Cervix")
2007 - Had our little girl and she is wonderful!
Mended some fences with family that were broken
Love being a mom
2008 - Tucy turned 1 and is wanting to walk and thats about it.

So, I think that this timeline is accurate, but I'm not 100% on the accuracy. All I can say is that it's been a wild 8 years and I hope that it will be a wilder 8 years to come.

So, here we are the night after our reception. We all went to dinner at PF Chang's... I'll start on the left and work my way around the table.
Jannie, Brian, Grant, Erin, Sam, Greer, Mom, Mikey, Me, Ken, Shauna, Kurtis, Ethan, Terri, Traci and Jim.

Oh, how things have changed since then.

Silly Serpent

2008-05-21T10:18:00.006-06:00

The other night Mikey and I were out in the front yard. We'd just put Tucy down for the night and he was changing a sprinkler head that had been damaged at some point. I heard our neighbors next door talking about how they had found something in the bushes next to their house. Now, I knew that it was a gardener snake, because I have seen this snake a couple of times. I was glad that they had discovered it, but didn't really think anything more of it. The kids across the street all ran over to look at the snake and the boy that lives next door (lets call him Boy 1), I guess didn't want it, so one of the kids that lives across the street (actually their dad lives across the street, their mom lives a couple blocks away, but that's another story for another time) anyway, the boy across the street (lets call him Boy 2), I guess was gonna take the snake, because Boy 1 didn't want it, or something. Anyway, so, Mikey and I are sitting out in the front yard and we hear this exchange:

Boy 1 - You can't take it, don't go!
Boy 2 - I'm gonna go home.
Boy 1 - You CAN'T! Don't go, you ass-hole!
Mikey - Did he just call one of those kids an ass-hole?
Boy 1 - I want it back! I want to keep it!

This all happens as Boy 2 is walking across the street with a Costco diaper box that has some holes cut into it, obviously holding their new found friend. Boy 1 runs after him crying hysterically, wanting his new friend, the gardener snake back.

Key Note: The information that I forgot to mention and the thing that makes this decidedly even more funny is that these boys are about 6 years old.

You say you want a... what?!

2008-05-19T11:46:00.006-06:00

December 21, 1989

Three Minutes of the Revolution

My good friend Ethan and my husband are going to be working on a documentary about this... they will be traveling over to Romania in July to film everything, then will be putting it together and distributing it to High schools and Colleges.

December Films is looking for donations that will be matched $ for $ up to $5k. If you are interested in contributing... go here.

Audience Participation

2008-05-17T17:18:00.002-06:00

So, I have had this here blog now for more than two years! Yay me!

But, the sad thing about this fact is that my audience hasn't increased at all! In fact I have fewer participants than I had at the beginning... and I know about life and all, but c'mon people! Is it that hard to leave a comment?

I try to go to blogs and read up and leave comments if I am inspired to... I guess maybe I should do that more often. Then maybe you'd be inspired by my inspiration. I have to give that a whirl or lookskie or whatever the lingo is nowaways.

Speaking of lingo, we watched "Juno" last night and for the first 10 minutes of that movie I had no idea what those girls were talking about! Am I getting old?

Ballroom Weight

2008-05-12T14:04:00.002-06:00

Uh, hmmm...

So, here I am again, talking about the weight that I still need to lose. Mikey and I had a conversation on Saturday about how long I have been talking about losing weight. And, how I haven't really done much at all to lose it. Its been a year. I was working out in the yard on Saturday, pulling weeds and today my legs are so incredibly sore! I just pulled some weeds!

I am in ridiculously awful shape. I want to start taking a ballroom dancing class next month. It will all depend on our budget. I would love to take one. There is a beginning class that is once a week for an hour and a half per class. You learn all the basics... The Tango, Waltz, Fox Trot, Jive... etc... etc... I can't think of anything else that excites me more about working out then ballroom dancing.

Except maybe the Cardio Cinema room... which I haven't been inside in a long time. I'm gonna go tonight. I hope they don't have a stupid movie playing.

Tucyisms

2008-05-07T13:14:00.004-06:00

I haven't really updated about the things that Tucy has started to accomplish lately. So, here goes...

* I don't know why she thinks that she needs to throw her sippy cup on the floor after every drink. It doesn't matter how thirsty she is.
* She is now fluent in the following words: Uh-Oh, Daddy, Boo, Hi Daddy, Whoa, Oops, did I say Daddy? And as of today... Hello, except she says it like, Ello!
* A crawling maniac inside the house and on the sidewalk, but hates and I mean hates the grass, unless I force her to walk on it... then she's fine.
* Using everything like its a phone... toys, car seat buckle, everything... I guess I talk on the phone more than I thought I did.
* Picking up her books, opening them and reading to herself. Although I can't understand a word she's saying, I know that she can read perfectly and she's only 15 months.
* Standing up for a minute or two at a time... she was doing this more about a week ago, now she won't let go of my fingers when she is standing. I guess it comes and goes.
* Splashing in the bath tub I think is her favorite thing to do and she's really good at it.

That's about all that I can think of right now. I'll try to be better about updates of what shes doing and how shes developing. I said I'd try.

So Nleep Rof Me!

2008-05-06T10:07:00.005-06:00

So, last night was the official first time that Tucy has been "up all night" with a sickness.

She had been fussy all afternoon and didn't want me to leave her sight. I thought that it was because one of her aunts came over and she can get kinda clingy when people come over that she isn't used to. She refused to take a nap in the afternoon and so, I finally got her ready for bed at about 7:00 and just put her down. She was still a little fussy after a couple minutes and I figured that it was her teeth bugging her, so I went back into her room and gave her some Tylenol. Then I went down in the basement at about 7:25 to eat my dinner and watched some tv. At about 7:45 she started to cry. I thought that she was just overly tired and so, I was trying to let her cry it out. Mikey came home about 20 minutes later and went in to get her. She had throw-up all over her bed, clothes, face, hair... everything.

How was I to know? I feel completely guilty for not checking on her and taking care of the puke right away, but how was I to know that she threw up?

I gave her a bath. Put her in clean clothes and put everything else in the washer. She has a couple blankets that she LOVES and cannot go to sleep without them. So, I had to wash them quickly so that she would go back to sleep. Mikey rocked her while cleaned everything up. We finally put her back down at about 9:00. She woke up again at midnight and I made her a bottle (which she rarely gets now, because she has just had a sippy cup for months) and Mikey gave her the bottle and was going to put her back down. Well, she threw-up the entire bottle.

So, I pulled her out of her soaked clothes, got her the other "favorite" blanket and some new jammies. Then I sent Mike to bed and I stayed in her room with her until almost 2am rocking her. I put her down, stumbled into bed, had a dream about seeing The Police in concert and was awakened again at 4:45 by her whimpering. Went back into her room and rocked her back to sleep. I went back to bed at almost 6:00 and was awakened again by the morning routine of Mikey.

I think that she is feeling a bit better now. She still hasn't eaten anything of substance yet, but I'm hoping that I can get her to eat this afternoon.

What a night!

"What do you see...

2008-04-28T16:48:00.004-06:00

when you look in the mirror... Are you happy now?
Happy is when your mouth is smiling, c'mon show me how...
What do you see when you look in the mirror? Could it be surprise?
Open up your mouth real wide, same this with those eyes...
What do you see when you look in the mirror? Here is what I see...
Someone who is very special looking back at me!"

These are the lyrics to a song that plays on one of Tucy's toys... I find that this song has more meaning than most songs on the radio nowadays.

The first time I heard it I thought to myself "What DO I see when I look in the mirror?"

I don't really know where I was headed with this. All I know is that Tucy's toy seems to have it all figured out. Its sad that I was compelled to take a good look at myself from a song that a Fisher Price music toy plays. I guess whatever gets you there.

My Color

2008-04-09T15:08:00.001-06:00

What's Your True Color?

My Result: Orange

You're a bold, confident orange. A warm, powerful color that indicates a strong, welcoming personality, orange is the mark of people who are social and extroverted by nature. Vibrant, with an upbeat attitude, you have a bright, inviting demeanor. Energetic and fun-loving, you're a real friend-magnet. Your easy charm and unassuming manner make you the sort of person people want to meet and get to know better. Well-rounded and fun to be around, you enjoy helping others, so it's no surprise that orange also symbolizes attraction. Orange is an extraordinary color — for an extraordinary person.

What are you?
http://web.tickle.com/jumpto?test=colorogt&c=50652

Magazine Cover's

2008-04-07T16:15:00.003-06:00

Think I can actually pull it off? dunno...

but, it was fun creating them anyway.

It's Baaack!

2008-04-04T10:26:00.005-06:00

For it's 4th and Final season... Tonight is the premiere.

SciFi Channel 10/9C... or 8pm MDT

The Battlestar has returned!

4-Cowner

2008-03-24T11:14:00.011-06:00

So, Mike went out of town on thursday night. He went with a friend and they were meeting some people down south to explore a few canyons. They were heading down just outside of Ticaboo, UT and had just left Hanksville going south on the road to Bullfrog when BAM! they hit a cow.

Mike had just set the cruise control at 70 mph and didn't even see the cow. It was a dark cow sitting in the middle of the road. (They were driving through an Open Range) He didn't even break. They plowed right through the thing.

Now, the lucky part about this is that they both walked away from it with only a couple tiny sratches from glass that they had to brush out of their hair. but, the unfortunate thing is that the 4runner is TOAST!!! Completely totaled... here are a few pics of the car that he sent me to show me just how messed up the poor car was.

It was a good car. It served us well. Its sad to see it go.

Pa-rade Pa-shmade!

2008-03-14T16:52:00.006-06:00

I have been looking high and low for an easter dress. I didn't want to spend a lot of money, because I knew that firstly... Mikey wouldn't let me spend a lot and, secondly... if I lose a bunch of weight I'm not gonna want a fat girl dress that I spent $80 on. BTW, $80 is a LOT of money for me to spend on a dress.

So... Here is the dress that I ordered today.

It was on sale for $24.99

I also got these shoes to go with it...

All I need now is my Easter bonnet and I'll be set for the Easter Parade!

Lemon Cleanse

2008-03-12T12:10:00.002-06:00

What is the big deal about being skinny anyway... Sure, you can wear the cute clothes and feel super fantastic about yourself, but is that really what the big deal is about?

When I was 50 pounds lighter I didn't feel any better about myself than I do now. I know that this is a sad fact, but the truth is that I haven't ever been happy with my body or face, or anything in between. That is my goal this year (even though its now March and I haven't done so well with it so far), but my goal is to try to change the way I think about myself. I want to start believing that I am a sexy girl and that my body is beautiful. So, starting this Friday I am starting a Lemon Cleanse...

This is my way of kicking myself in the nuts and seeing how I deal with it. I am doing this for the cleansing idea and not the weight loss idea... although, the weight that I can potentially lose isn't half bad either. I will be on it for 15 days starting Thursday, March 13Th and finishing on Thursday, March 27Th. This cleanse is supposed to rid your intestines of all the build-up that has accrued since you were but a youth, and since I haven't ever done a cleanse before... than that is exactly what it is going to do.

So, this is my way of trying to amp myself up to go on this cleanse and succeed. My better half doesn't think that I can do it, but I am going to prove him wrong once and for all. btw... this isn't the first time I have come up with an idea like this and I have always failed in the past... TODAY I am taking the step to change this, for the better. I am going to go on this cleanse and succeed with it... the full 15 days!

Sunday Drive

2008-02-25T09:25:00.002-07:00

Mikey and I took Tucy on a drive yesterday. It was rainy and yucky, but we still wanted to get out of the house. So we drove down to Payson and then took the loop around the backside of Utah Lake home (which is Hwy 68 for any that are wondering).

Anyway, we are driving along this road and we encounter some standing water. It looks about 3 or 4 inches deep. That was kinda fun... Then we encounter more and more and even more standing water on this road. I gets to the point when there is so much water that we are driving through that we have to slow down to like 5 or 10 miles an hour because its so deep. We get through all the standing water and start ascending a bit to higher ground, thinking that we are all done going through these flood areas.

Then we reach the newly developed area behind the lake. Brand new homes that start at roughly $250k to build, right. We approach a sign that says "flood area", but there is no water... thats funny. We drive a little father and pass yet another sign that says "flood area" and then approach what I can only describe as a miniature lake in the middle of the road. There was probably 2 1/2 to 3 feet of water that we had to drive through. There were cars just parked on either side of this "body of water", because the water was so high that some of them couldn't even get through.

I guess that is the price you pay to build a house with a lake side view. Anyway, our Sunday drive turned out to be a bit of an adventure... one that neither of us anticipated. And, Tucy slept through just about all of it... too bad.

10 Events of 2008 ~ part 2

2008-02-21T16:03:00.005-07:00

1) President Gordon B. Hinckley passed away

2) Tucy turned One (1) Whole Year!

3) President Thomas S. Monson was called to be the new Prophet/President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is especially significant because he married Mikey and me.

4) American Idol is down to the top 24 (and eliminating 2 boys and 2 girls tonight so, they'll actually be down to the top 20)

5) Tucy is getting her front right tooth (and is very grumpy because of it)

6) I was able to buy some Pureology and it has helped my hair immensely (Thanks, Natania)

7) Mikey left work early one day when it was nice and sunny and we went over to the park and walked around with the babe

8) I made Lasagna one night and it was just about the best Lasagna that I've ever made

9) Took Tucy to the book store and bought her some much needed books for her birthday, including, but not limited to... Baby Einstein Numbers and Baby Einstein Letters.

10) I have discovered the 100-calorie cookie... Ingenious!

Happy 1st Year!

2008-02-19T13:42:00.007-07:00

I guess it's good that I didn't kill her in the first year. Does that mean that I might know a teensy bit about raising a child? I'm still questioning that. All I know is that she had a wonderfully splendid Birthday party yesterday.

I created a slide show to show just how fun her first Birthday was... I hope that it makes sense. I tried to caption all the pictures, so it should make sense, but then again it might not.

Turning One

2008-02-13T10:26:00.004-07:00

I can't believe that her first birthday is approaching so rapidly. (its less than a week away)

It went by much too fast.

There are things that I wanted to accomplish before this day came such as:

Fitting into my pre-pregnancy jeans

Thats pretty much it.

I can't believe that I ever fit into them at this point... BOO!

"National" Project

2008-02-11T10:50:00.000-07:00

We inherited about 50+ years of National Geographic magazines from Mikey's grandparents. I think that I have talked about them before. They saved everything! Anyway, so we have all of these magazines and thought that we could display them in a Library or someplace cool like that. Well, it turns out that in order to display things like that you need one vital thing...

SPACE

That which we don't have. So, we have decided that instead of keeping these in bins in the garage for the next 5-10 years, or until we get a bigger house, one that preferably has a Library, we are going to just sell them.

On Saturday night we started organizing the magazines. Mikey's aunt did most of the work when they were cleaning out his grandparent's house... so, we just had to pretty much stack them by year. We have all of the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's and up to 2005 complete. Then we have 1943, 1948 and 1949 complete as well, with more boxes up at Mikey's parents house that we need to bring here this week to see just how complete this collection really is. Fascinating stuff, eh?

Quite A Day

2008-02-06T11:04:00.000-07:00

Things Accomplished Yesterday...

~Woke up at 8:00AM to the sound of Tucy singing and jabbering in her room
~Ate Breakfast
~Started Laundry
~Folded Tucy's clothes and put them away
~Ate a sensible Lunch
~Lost Tucy... Turns out she had crawled into my bedroom... I could hear her, I just couldn't figure out where she was.
~Had an afternoon snack
~Went to the Bank
~Injured Tucy... or rather she injured herself, but I wasn't in the room at the time, so I'm taking the blame.
~Put Tucy to bed at precisely 6:25 in the PM, because she was so worked up over the trauma of the candle holder that sits in front of the fire place falling on her head.
~Watched American Idol as I ate dinner
~Debriefed Mikey on the days events
~Laid out all the washed jeans to dry
~Watched Mikey work on Tucy's Birthday Invitation for about an hour
~Ate a Banana
~Went to bed at 12:20AM

I think that was quite a busy day... not that any of you really care, but I thought I'd document the things that I do during the day. I guess I got a few things accomplished.

Cardboard Cars

2008-02-04T10:48:00.001-07:00

The other day I pulled out the last of the diapers in a Costco diaper box. I brought the box in the living room for Tucy to play with and she loved it!

It made me think of one summer when I was about 10. There were a bunch of kids in our neighborhood that I played with that summer. Well, one day we made cars out of cardboard boxes. We colored them and cut doors that swung open and holes for our feet to fit through. We built windshields and the whole nine yards. Then we made mini streets with traffic lights and a stop sign and, and, and...

I loved that summer, it was really fun. Maybe it was because it was the summer after my parents got divorced, and I was trying to fill the fact that my dad didn't live with us anymore with something else so I didn't have to think about. Whatever the reason, it was a good summer and making those cars was really fun... I'll never forget it, I hope.

I can't wait for Tucy to make her first cardcoard car... who knows, it might happen.

Hey Ladies...

2008-01-31T23:26:00.001-07:00

Lizbah: She is just about the most incredibly sweet person I've ever known. I am always so glad to see her, even if it is once every two years. She gives you the biggest most heartfelt hugs in the world! I have tried to model my hugs after hers... because you know that she means them.

Lolly: Oh, Lolly! She is this beautiful, intelligent woman and she still doesn't know how wonderful she really is. She has a Masters degree and works at a crap job where no one appreciates her! I'll tell you that she is splendid! Under that shy exterior is a fantastic, charismatic, maniac that I call my friend. If I could have her drive to study the things that I love... I guess that’s what dreams are for.

Mle: How I marvel at her for packing up all her belongings into a minivan and trudging across the country to be with the love of her life. I don't have that kind of courage. I am such a homebody that I would have to be forced out of this state by gunpoint (or lots of money). I can't begin to say how much I wish that I had that kind of bravery to go into the unknown and swallow the fear.

Shav: She is doing things that I never could... conquering her fears with school and breaking out of the walls that were keeping her down! I am so proud of her! I stopped going to school because of the pressure of having to be there (not that that's all that much pressure) but doing well is, and Shav has proven that if you persevere than anything is possible.

Tex: Taking on the music world single-handed. I am in awe. I wish I could even begin to understand how her creative mind works. She can think of arrangements, vocals, lyrics... you name it and it’s in her head. Not only that, but she has two beautiful daughters that love her so much! She is a good mom and tries to do what is best for them, always.

Tibcat: New mommy-hood is hard (I know), and I think that she is doing fabulous. It’s hard to figure out how to fit everything and still try to stay you. She is doing fantastic considering all the strife they have had since the little one was born (and even before)... keep it up, it will only get easier from here on out.

TraciFree: My best friend that I never see and hardly talk to... can I really consider her that? I still do. Even though we don't see each other that much, we still keep in touch. I will always and forever run things by her that I don't run by anyone else. That’s what bff's are for... you don't always have to be stuck together... the friendship transcends that.

In case you haven't figured out what I did here... These are the chicks from my "Peeps" list. I got the idea (yet again) from someone else's blog and I made it my own.

Uranium Urine

2008-01-30T09:11:00.000-07:00

I went to this site last night. They have a list up of Top 10 Bizaare Things You Can Buy on Amazon...

Everything from Wolf Urine to a UFO Detector, but I have to say that my very favorite item on this list is #1 - The can of Uranium.
The best part about this item is the description:

"Yes - it is true - you can actually buy a can of real uranium! According to Amazon, the uranium sample is for “educational and scientific use only” so please don’t buy this product if you have any other plans in mind. The List Universe can not guarantee that you will not end up on an FBI watchlist if you buy this product."

And, its only $29.95! What a Steal of a Deal! My plan is to buy this just to see IF I can end up on an FBI watchlist!

A Winter Wonderland

2008-01-29T10:57:00.000-07:00

Her Grandparents gave her this sled for Christmas...

She is adorable I must say

Look at those cheeks!

Can we go Inside now?!?!

Name iT

2008-01-28T23:05:00.000-07:00

Lately, I am in the habit of stealing ideas for posts from other people and this is no exception...

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car)
Cinnamon 4-Runner
2. YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor & fave cookie)
Chocolate Chocolate Chip
3. YOUR "FLY GUY/GIRL" NAME: (1st initial of first name, first 3 or 4 letters of your last name)
s fox
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)
pink cat
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (Middle name, city where you were born)
elizabeth ft. worth
6.YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first)
foxsa
7. SUPERHERO NAME: ("The" + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink)
the yellow green tea
8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers)
roy karl
9. WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother's & father's middle names)
kate lorenzo
10. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher's last name, a major city that starts with the same letter)
bevans baltimore
11. SPY NAME/ BOND GIRL: (your favorite season/holiday, flower)
christmas calalily
12. CARTOON NAME: (favortie fruit, article of clothing your wearing right now + "ie" or "y")
mango sockie
13. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree)
oatmeal fern
14. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: ("The" + your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + "Tour".
the sewing sun tour

Racing to Catch UP!

2008-01-25T12:58:00.000-07:00

Do you ever feel like you're on a treadmill?

I kinda feel that way lately. I feel like everyone has these amazingly wonderful things happening to them in their lives and I am watching it all happen in the confines of a room... happy go lucky, running on a treadmill. I am trying to catch up but can't because we all know that treadmills don't really go anywhere.

At least I get to watch the show as I run on my treadmill. That's always nice, sometimes its nicer than being in the show itself. The spectator sees everything, but doesn't have to live through any of it.

I guess that's my lot in life... it's not a lot, but its my life.

10 Events of 2008 ~ part 1

2008-01-23T09:36:00.000-07:00

1) Tucy is crawling almost completely on her hands and knees.

2) I have lost 3 pounds (not that I'm keeping track).

3) My sister has a producer from Nashville that is interested in her singing.

4) My hubby worked on a show called "Nature's Dance" that aired on Discovery~HD three days ago.

5) Heath Ledger died from an accidental overdose.

6) Britney Spears might be pregnant... again.

7) Sundance is going on up in Park City and I couldn't give a rats.

8) The Golden Globes DIDN'T happen because they didn't have any writers to write the show... HA!

9) "Chuck" is moving to Thursdays.

10) American Idol has sucked me in, yet again.

TAG!!! You're It.

2008-01-16T19:03:00.000-07:00

I got this idea off another persons blog to whom I have never met. But, I thought it was a swell idea... swell enough even, to make it my own.

So...

The challenge is to tell 6 things that few people know about you. This is kinda tricky when you think about it. How can I be sure that only a few people know these 6 things? I guess I can't because my memory isn't THAT wonderful, so more of you may know these things about me... that and I have a bit of a habit of spilling things to people about myself once years pass and I know that they won't HATE me for what I have done.

Anyway, here are 6 things (in my memory) that few people know about me.

1) I once tried to pluck my armpit hairs, but I could only pluck 2 hairs because it hurt like a mother f-er!

2) The boyfriend of one of my old friends made a pass at me the same night that she lost her virginity to him.

3) I can't sleep with any clothes on... I get all tangled up, because I toss and turn too much in my sleep.

4) I read my sister's journal once, but only because she read mine first!

5) I dropped out of High school my Junior year, got my GED and went to the community college.

6) I hadn't read my first novel all the way through (from cover to cover) until I was 22. (I guess its from a lack of education, or something)

So, now whoever reads this... You're IT!!! Now, you get to post 6 things about yourself. Good Luck, my young padawan learners.

Gym Gripes

2008-01-14T07:26:00.000-07:00

I have been going back to the gym since before Thanksgiving. I discovered that at my gym they have a Cardio Cinema room. This is great because of two reasons.

1) You get to watch a movie while you workout
2) The lights are low so no one else has to watch you workout

I was going to the gym that is like 10 minutes from my house, because that was the only one I knew of that had a Cardio Cinema room in it. But, then I discovered that there is a Cardio Cinema room in the gym that is just up the hill from my house.

So, now I have been going to the one that is just up the hill. I thought that this would be great! I just have to drive like 3 minutes and I'm there... workout... then go back home. I don't have to get up quite as early as before. Awesome! Last week when I got there to workout I walk into the Cardio Cinema room and guess what movie they're playing... "Secret Window"

What The.....?!?! Who can workout to "Secret Window"... ummm, I can't, but wasn't about to go out into the open area and workout with the rest of the drones... so, I endured... and, at least the lights were still low.

Then I go this morning and guess what movie is playing this morning...? Thankfully it wasn't "Secret Window", but it was "Monster In Law"... Gimme a break people! That is like the lamest movie ever! AND... The lights weren't low. I repeat... WEREN'T LOW!!!

Now I not only have to workout to the last 30 minutes of one of the stupidest movies I've ever had to sit through, but I have to watch other people workout to it as well? That was the beauty of the Cardio Cinema room. Remember #2... The lights are low so no one else has to watch you workout. Well, the movies aren't always going to be great, but at least they can stick to the light rule!

I don't quite know how many more tries I'm going to give this Cardio Cinema room. I'm not going to stop going into the room, nooooooo way! In fact I doubt that I'll even start driving farther because their (When I say "their" I mean, the gym that is 10 minutes away) movies have been better to date. I'll probably just complain about it on this here blog and do nothing. Maybe I'll ask why the lights are up so high next time I'm there, but I doubt that too. I am kind of a coward when it comes to things like that.

Yep, that sounds about right.

My List

2008-01-09T08:30:00.000-07:00

So, its official that I haven't accomplished anything new on my list since... I can't even remember when I accomplished the last thing that I accomplished! AAARGH!

I's is got some list accomplishing to do's!

I am not going to beat myself up for not doing everything on my list. I have had a few diversions... like having a baby. That should have been one thing on my list, then I would have been able to cross it off. But, it wasn't. Anyway, if I don't get even half the things on my list checked off by November 18, 2008 than that's OK! I will just have to start a new list and include things that are a little more attainable. Like just running a 5k and not a half marathon... What was I thinking anyway?!?!

Was I really going to run a half marathon? I guess that I thought that I'd be able to at the time, but now I am like... are you CRAZY?!?!

Resolutions

2008-01-07T08:17:00.000-07:00

Its a brand new year and I have been thinking a lot about what I might want to accomplish this year. I haven't looked at my list in quite a while, so I should probably give that a lookskie to find out how many more things I need to check off before November of this year... I believe that is my deadline. But there are other things that I need to do before then, such as... once and for all lose this blessed pregnancy weight. I went to the gym this morning. It was the first time in a few weeks because I was fortunate enough to get sick over the holidays and therefore didn't go to the gym. I was doing well too. I was losing about a pound a week and I'm sure that I gained back all the hard work that I put into my weight loss over the last 3 weeks. Its hard to lose weight when you are stuffing your face with all the good stuff, aka, chocolate, cookies, bread, hot buttered rum... etc... etc...

The weight is the biggest goal that I have this year. I am not setting a limit for how many pounds or where I want to end up... In fact, I am not even going to step on a scale (if I can help myself). My goal is to just be consistent with going to the gym at least 5 times a week, preferable mon-fri and take off the weekends. I haven't ever been good with goals and setting them at the beginning of the year is so cliche, but... its how I have to operate if I want to see results... That and I can't be fatter than a few other people that I know... omg, I can't believe how shallow I really am! Well, actually I can. Maybe that should be my real goal... Try to not be so shallow. I'll bet some people would say that I couldn't last a week. And, maybe that's true... but we all have to start somewhere, right?

The next goal would have to be... try to be nicer to those that are close to me. I have been having a hard time with this lately... I don't know why but my tongue has been a little bit lethal. And, when its brought up to me or pointed out I get all defensive, because I know that its true. So, I want to be nice. I don't want to leave this life having people remember me as the sassy one who made the snide remarks all the time. Why can't I be sweet and lovable? I dunno, but this year I'm gonna try to be more sweet and more lovable than I have been in the past several months. Actually I don't think that I could ever be defined as sweet and lovable. Its time for a change.

Then of course there are the goals that I set for myself every year... read the scriptures every day, pray everyday, attend all my meetings. And now there is even more pressures with Tucy getting bigger and starting to grasp things. So things like actually going to church on a regular and consistent basis and actually reading my scriptures are things that I should be teaching her. She will learn about those things because of me and if I don't do them myself, how in the world am I going to teach them to her?!?!? It scares the bejeezes out of me. So, that is my goal... to actually DO those things that I tell myself that I need to do every year, but then fail at by March. I am going to make it a habit.

I don't think that I have anything else really that comes to mind for goals to set for this year... again, I'm not a real goal setter and I hope that writing this down helps me to focus on them so I can accomplish them. I reaaaalllllllly don't want to come back and read this next year only to discover that I didn't do any of them. I hope that I come back next year and can read this post with a little pride. Because I did indeed accomplish the things that I intended to accomplish.

Two Hundred Posts**

2007-12-22T22:25:00.000-07:00

This is my 200th Post!

How about that?!?!

I have my entire family invading my house on Christmas day. They are joining us for a spirited Christmas dinner. Last weekend I went over to my brothers house for a family party. It was the first time that my family had all been together in a confined building in years. About half way through the evening I became thoroughly overwhelmed (to say the least). I ended up being ridiculously sensitive to everything and everyone. So much so that I became irritated, pissy and overly snotty and made us leave as soon as we were finished opening gifts. We didn't even stay for dessert. Now, I get to subject myself to that torture yet again, but this time I can't leave... because its going to be here at my house! What was I thinking when I signed up for this, you ask? I'm not sure. I guess that my idea of a meaningful Christmas is to pile enormous amounts of stress on myself so that I can hardly breathe when the day arrives. Its just too bad that I don't drink, because if I did then I could just lose myself in peppermint schnapps. I hope that I can have pretty much everything in order before they get here on Tuesday so that I don't become the neurotic mess that I was last Sunday.

Cross my fingers that it goes off without a hitch.

YAY... #200!!!

Christmas Time is Here

2007-12-07T11:26:00.000-07:00

I watched "Elf" the other day as I was putting up my tree. Well, actually my sister was putting up my tree and the lights and the decorations... come to think of it, I don't think that I did anything that day to help. What kind of Christmas spirit do I have?!?!

I feel a little off this Christmas season. Usually I am all about decorating and shopping and making treats, but this year has been a little slow to start. I was a baking fiend around Thanksgiving and then after it was over I kind of lost the interest. Maybe it was because I baked 2 pies, 1 tart and a cheese cake for Thanksgiving. Maybe I got a little "baked out". But, this is the time when I should be spreading Christmas cheer, right?

I am feeling a little under the weather this week. I have been fighting an irritating cold that myluv has had since Thanksgiving and I think it has finally hit me. I have been taking "Airborne" and it has really been helping. Its an immune boosting beverage. I fill a small juice glass with water and then drop in this tablet that makes the water fuzz and bubble and the water turns a greenish/yellowish color that tastes similar to "Tang". I try to drink it in 5 or 6 gulps, because if I sipped it, I'd never finish it.

So, my tree is up, but I am not happy with the decorations... again, this year is just a little off. I think that I need to take everything off it (except the lights) and start over. My mom said to me yesterday (right after her tree fell over) that her trees always look better the second time she decorates. Maybe this will work for me too. We also don't have any lights up on the house yet and its supposed to snow the entire weekend. Maybe this year we'll just stick with the wreath on the front door and call it good. Then again, maybe myluv will feel well enough tomorrow to hang some lights up on the house, maybe.

Its Lucy's first Christmas and I feel like I should be so excited and possibly even overzealous about her enjoying the season. Her Grandma bought her some snow pants and a coat that matches. We wanted to take her outside with the last snowfall to take picture of her in the snow for the very fist time, but didn't because we've both been sick. Maybe if there is enough snow this weekend then we can do it tomorrow or Sunday or something.

Maybe I am failing as a mother for the First Christmas... I wanted it to be magical and spectacular and all of those things that you see in the movies... but here I am, trying to not get more sick than I already am and Lucy is asleep in her bed.... I should be decorating the house so when she wakes up she will be in awe with all the decorations. But, really... I'll probably make myself a cup of cocoa and sip it until the feeling goes away.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

The Essence of Fall

2007-11-07T09:20:00.000-07:00

We took these pictures this weekend... Nuf said.

Mike is taking the computer with him again today so, I don't have nearly enough time to write my full post. He keeps taking it to work with him because he is using it for a film he has been working on... its too complicated to really explain. Just know that I have only had a computer for like 2 days out of the last month, which explains my lack of new posts. Anyway, enjoy the pictures, I know that I do.

I know, I suck!

2007-11-06T17:22:00.000-07:00

So, I was reprimanded last night while I was talking to tracifree on the phone. She scolded me for not posting anything new lately and then left a comment about an hour ago on the post just before this one stating the same disgust with my lack of new posts.

Now, I wanted to do this whole update with pictures and all, but the truth of the matter is that all the pictures we have are on the "mac" side of this computer and I can't figure out how to down size them so I can post them anywhere!!! When I say anywhere I actually mean I can't post them here or on my family website.

So, I need to wait for Mikey to get home so that he can convert them and then I can post them along with a real post where I actually have something to say other than an apology. I have quite a few run-on sentences in this post. Maybe that's what this post can be about... run-on sentences. I love run-on sentences and the truth of that matter is that sometimes I can't figure out how to end my sentence which is why it keeps going and going and going and going.... kinda like this one. That's prolly most peoples problem with run-on sentences.

the end.

Fall Previews

2007-10-08T19:34:00.000-06:00

I have turned into a t.v. junkie and not for just any television.

For Network television!!!

I have been an HBO snob for so long that I forgot what Network television was like, and now I can't help myself. I'm not going to go into the wide assortment of programs that I find myself watching throughout the day... see, these are the effects of a DVR. The reason that I never watched Network television before was because I didn't have the time. Now that I have the DVR I don't have to have the time... I can watch it whenever I happen to have the time. I just record it and then watch it whenever! It rocks, but then it doesn't.

This is quite the little kerfuffle that I cause on a daily basis. Now, I could be spending my time when Tucy is napping, with other things... like folding laundry or washing the dishes or something productive, but instead I find myself plopped in front of that blessed 65" screen, watching, watching, watching... until she wakes up.

Then I am frustrated, because I haven't done anything that I had planned and I spend the rest of the night kicking myself for having to cram all those chores into the hour and a half before Mike gets home, so I can spend some quality time with him where he doesn't mention the fact that I haven't done anything that day.

But, today! Today I actually accomplished something before that blessed nap. I did stuff! The stuff isn't all that important, but it was productive stuff and it made me feel like I did accomplish something today! Something like stuff! Stuff feels good to do, especially before the husband gets home from work. That stuff feels fantastic!

Anyway... Fall Previews have been a curse for me, until today. Today the Fall Previews took a backseat to the stuff. yay me!

Soccer err, I mean Futbol

2007-09-19T22:58:00.000-06:00

I went to the Real game tonight with my hubby. There was an extra ticket that I took from one of his friends that couldn't make it to the game. You see my hubby has a season ticket right behind the team on the front row... this was the first time that I had gone to a game with him since he has had said ticket. It was really fun, I had a great time. The greatest part about it was all the heckling and swearing from the fans in the section that he sits in.

I couldn't believe how crazy crazed these guys got at the game... whodda thunk that soccer could be all that intense, but I guess it can be. I kept laughing out of, I guess shock, about how completely insane some of these people would become for a bad call from the officials. I mean, its just soccer! Now that I have said that I see how lame my last statement actually was and just how "American" I truly am. We Americans don't really, REALLY care about Soccer. Some of us claim to be "fans" of it, but in reality, we aren't. Most of the people that get into Soccer here do it because no one else is and the season tickets are cheap.

That or they came to the United States from somewhere else i.e. The World. I believe that the fans that are crazies that were born in America and go nutso at these games do it for three reasons... 1- It gives them an opportunity to scream profanities and demeaning sexual statements at an "official" where the end result isn't being an unemployed loser with a multi-million dollar sexual harassment lawsuit up their a$$. 2- Sometimes, if you're lucky, you get a free shirt or ball or even maybe a jersey (if you're really lucky). 3- They have hot dogs and popcorn, duh!

Big-Gulp Anyone?

2007-09-17T13:36:00.000-06:00

Driving in our car we stopped at 7-11. Michael got us both Big-Gulps. He put his in the back cup holder and I put mine in the front cup holder. About 2 minutes later he took a drink from my Big-Gulp in the front cup holder.

Me: That ones mine.
Him: Oh, well lets trade spots then because its easier for me to grab the front one while I'm driving.
(We place Big-Gulps into their new designated cup holders)
Me: Its okay, we exchange bodily functions all the time.
Him: Fluids.
Me: Oh (turning bright red in the face) that's what I meant, fluids.
Him: I would hope that we wouldn't exchange bodily functions ever!

About a minute later I grab for his drink thinking that its mine in the front cup holder. Its a vicious cycle I tell you!

Inspirational Sunday

2007-09-16T11:24:00.000-06:00

So, I went to church this morning and there was a nice young man that spoke. He is leaving to go on a mission to Sweden Wednesday, so this was the last time that he was going to address our congregation for 2 years. I was taken aback by this young man and the talk that he gave. It was well thought out. It had a beginning, middle, and end. His talk really hit me and it wasn't just because he knew how to structure it. He actually had some important things to say and they affected me and I haven't been affected by a meeting since Tucy was blessed.

He had 4 things that he talked about that will bring us closer to our Heavenly Father:
1- Let Virtue Garnish Thy Thoughts Unceasingly
I have always labored with this, because I can let my mind run wild. It is a real challenge to control your thoughts. Over the last couple of years I have become a bit better at it, but I still find myself lost aimlessly in my thoughts from time to time.
2- Scripture Study
This has been a huge deal for me, to read my scriptures every day. I pick them up, if I'm lucky, once a week. This is truly something that I need to work on more diligently.
3- Daily Prayer
We say our morning and nightly prayers together as a family. We have been really good about that, but my individual prayers are really suffering. I have always struggled with the communicado between me and the "Powers that Be".
4- Paying an Honest Tithe
Now, this is something that Michael and I have been talking a lot about lately, because it is the one thing that we do 100% with out any error. We have complete control over it and we make a conscience effort to make sure that it is the first thing that we take care of every month.

Okay, so I can honestly say that I have been true to 1 out of the 4. That's not to say that once I pray, or study, or think something good once that I have been true to that as well. Hearing this young man talk about these things today just made me realize how much I need to actively do these things all the time. To "draw closer to Thee" is a constant journey. We never stop on the road of life. We are either traveling forward or backward. Forward through progressing and trying to better ourselves everyday. Backward by not doing the things that help us progress, because if we stop doing the things that we need to do in order to progress and the ones around us are... they are passing us by and therefore we are farther behind than we were when we stopped in the first place.

I don't know if this makes any sense, but I just had to make a note of this talk and some of the thoughts that I have had since having the privilege of hearing it.

Changing Like the Fall Leaves

2007-09-14T12:35:00.000-06:00

I decided to shake things up a bit by transforming my template to reflect the weather changing right before my very eyes.

Fall has arrived whether I am ready for it or not, its here.

The temperature is cooling down and everything is looking more orange and red with each passing day.

That means that Halloween is right around the corner and then Thanksgiving and then Christmas. This is Tucy's first Christmas (and Halloween... and Thanksgiving), how crazy is that!

Anyway, I hope you like my template transformation... and if you don't, I don't really care because I think its just swell.

She is Growing up so Fast

2007-09-10T10:28:00.000-06:00

Tucy is just about sitting up on her own. She sits in the "tripod" position. She is rolling over like a pro and is inventing new noises every couple of days. She is getting so big I can't believe it! I put her in 6-12 month jeans the other day with an actual tee-shirt. This is huge, because she has been wearing onsies and elastic waist pants. I am having a hard time remembering just how little she used to be and that was only 6 1/2 months ago.

I took her to her 6 month check up about a week and a half ago and she was 14 lbs. 10 oz. and 25 inches long. She is just growing so fast it makes me a little sad, but happy too because she is growing so well. The Dr. said that she is growing like a normal 6 month old and she is developing the same. I guess that the preemie thing isn't a factor anymore, which makes me happy. I never wanted that to be something that she could use as a crutch... or I should say, that we could.

About once a day when I look at her I think to myself, "I can't believe that she is my little girl". It's really incredible how having her has truly changed everything for me and Mike. I knew things would change, but didn't think that it would be quite as hard as it has been. Like the working thing, I thought that it would be a breeze not working and just being mom at home. But, it has been quite difficult to find my groove here at home. I love spending time here with her and seeing everything progress step by step, but at the same time I miss working.

I especially miss the paycheck, duh! I will think that I have it all figured out and then I lose motivation again and am all of the sudden at step one again. This last week I finally cleaned my entire house (laundry and all) and can just maintain it. It relieves so much stress to just have to straighten up instead of blitz the house every time someone announces that they want to come by.

I haven't ever been a very good housekeeper, but staying at home has put this new responsibility on my shoulders... I am in charge of keeping up the house! Mike is working all day and my work is what?!?! You mean I am in charge of making sure that the house stays presentable?!?! I didn't sign up for this. Well, maybe I did... I can't remember... I was drugged at the time... I was on the moon, with Steve!

An Office Addict...

2007-09-10T10:13:00.000-06:00

I am completely addicted to "The Office". Its sad really. Mike and I had caught a few episodes here and there, but then we got a DVR and started recording them and OMGoodness! It is so incredibly funny! We bought all three seasons, watched them all in a weeks time, and are anticipating the season 4 premiere. I told Mike that if I can't work in an office then I can watch about working in one. He agreed, and then laughed.

I am SUCH a nerd I know. Well, with Battlestar not starting up again until January, this clearly is a good alternative. Speaking of Battlestar they have a mini-movie that is going to be on Nov, 24th which is my Mom's birthday. Maybe we'll have a Battlestar birthday party for her, dunno if she'll want that, but its an idea.

Foux De Fa Fa...

2007-08-29T18:39:00.000-06:00

The BEST show on HBO right now!

Fancy Foxy

2007-08-22T15:23:00.000-06:00

I took Tucy to Kiddie Kandids with my sister-in-law today and got this picture taken of the little pipsqueek!
She fell asleep while we were waiting to have our turn and when she woke up she was very grumpy. This is one of the last ones they took and she was almost at her wits end. I think she is adorable, but then I have absolutely no bias at all!

The Office "Batty Bat bat"

2007-08-20T17:54:00.001-06:00

I love this show!

Solicitation...

2007-07-27T12:58:00.000-06:00

One of the little boys that lives on my street just came over holding one of the tiniest water balloons I have ever seen in his hand. He is about 5 years old or so... He rang the door bell and I answered the door. Our conversation was as follows:

Him (mumbling): I am selling this water balloon because I am so poor.
Me: Wha... What?!?!
Him: Would you like to buy a water balloon?
Me: Umm... How much are you selling it for?
Him: Well... Ten Bucks!
Me: Sorry.

and I closed the door.

Aren't little boys soooo cute?!?!

The 28 Countdown

2007-07-17T10:48:00.000-06:00

Duhn, Duhn, Duuuhnnnn!

I turn 29 on Thursday... Pretty crazy. I don't really know what else to say about it except that I think turning 29 is going to be harder than turning 27.

But, I have been told that 29 is hard because you are preparing yourself to turn 30, so when 30 approaches and then arrives... it ain't so bad!

Playing Catch Up

2007-07-09T11:43:00.000-06:00

Because I haven't posted anything in the last couple of weeks there is quite a bit to catch up on... Like for instance... Tucy rolled over for the first time on the 4th of July! She rolled from her belly to her back and I made her do it over and over 4 different times just to make sure that it wasn't a fluke, and it wasn't! She is also starting to sit up and is getting better at it every day. I can't believe how much she has grown over the last few weeks! She will never be this little again. It makes me sad.

We spent the 4th kind of being lazy in the morning then we went to lunch that afternoon, which was excellent. We then visited family and spent the evening up at my brothers watching fireworks from his backyard. Tucy was mesmerized with all the colors and finally fell asleep about halfway through the show. I got a couple mosquito bites while I was sitting in a camping chair in my brothers back yard, but other than that... it was a pretty fun 4th.

I took a picture of this little humming bird nest in our front yard, because the Sunday before last, Mike was walking out to the car and he almost stepped right on the tiniest of humming birds that was laying on our walkway, leading to our front door. I called Megs (because she is my "on staff" vet, so to speak) and she told us to try and put the bird back in the nest if we could. We located the nest and Mike used a latter and a leather glove to lift the baby back up into her nest. She cried and cried all the way up and soiled all over herself and Mike's glove... but she made it back safely. There was another little baby in the nest already and once the fallen baby was back next to her sibling, she quieted down immediately. And the good news is... The mother is still feeding both of her little babies. Yay! Now we check on the birds once a day to see how they are growing and if and when they will leave the nest. It hasn't happened yet, but I assume it will be fairly soon.

So, I guess that I didn't have that much to catch up on... it seemed like a lot more in my head.

#52 Almost...

2007-06-29T00:18:00.000-06:00

So, on my list I have listed as #52

Track down Yolanda (last name disclosed for obvious reasons)... she was an old roommate of mine and I haven't talked with her since right after Mike and I got married. After that she just disappeared...

Until tonight.

I did a random search for her on Google this evening and guess what popped up...? Her profile on some weird website that's for "Anglo-Indians", because that is where she's from, India. So, I signed up on the website and sent her a Private Message... lets see if she responds. If she does then I get to cross one more thing off my list, if not then, I guess I still get to cross it off, because I did find her and I did try to make contact... I guess we'll have to just wait and see what happens.

MADONNA

2007-06-26T12:06:00.000-06:00

On Madonna's website you can custom make a t-shirt to fit your fancy... Madonna Style!

Here is the t-shirt I created... and a link for you to make your own.

Flight of the Concord

2007-06-26T11:17:00.000-06:00

My New Favorite SHOW... except for Battlestar, that's still #1, so this is technically #2.

One of the funniest shows I have seen in a loooong time. They are two comedians from New Zeland and they have this show on HBO. The plot is that they are two musicians from New Zeland trying to make it big in New York City, only they aren't very talented.

The story line moves along with the characters until something happens that sparks a song and then it leads into a song/music video, oh... it is so funny!

Here is a link to a music video for "Frodo"