So It Begins......

 

Last day and my vacation begins - it's the little things in life.... I really loved this outfit that I put together. Tomorrow my family is having me a birthday dinner at my request stuffed cabbage, mashed potatoes, cornbread, and green beans (good old fashioned southern cooking like I had growing up) My grandmother will make me my yearly cheese cake (her cheesecake is the best out there). I prefer to eat it warm out of the oven....with a big ole glass of whole milk :) What are your big plans this weekend?

 

 

 

One More Day....

 

Only one more day until I'm officially on Stacey-cation - I am really looking forward to being off - it has been sooo cold here in TN that I have not wanted to leave the office - not to tan or to go to the gym. I really despise cold weather but I know it's a necessary evil to get rid of those summer bugs. I am sooo ready for summer again. What is your favorite season?

 

 

 

 

Puny

 

Been a little under the weather but the weather yesterday was absolutely gorgeous - too bad old man winter is back from vacation for the rest of the week ....but... I only have 3 more days until Stacey-cation :)

 

This Week

Hiding Behind my Keyboard

Well, another weekend gone... the weather was gorgeous - I got to do Zumba on Saturday but had too much to do on Sunday to go the Greenway. It seems that a lot of my classmates are dying or their parents. We have lost at least 5 from my Northwest High family and last night I went to the funeral home one my friend's mother died. I guess we are just reaching the age but I must confess I am not equipped to know how to act or how to console. This goes back to that skill my grandmother has always said that I possessed, hiding my head in the sand. I am really also better at articulating my feelings when I can hide behind my keyboard versus face-to-face. Are you able to communicate freely in person? Somewhere along the line I lost my confidence and my fear of rejection grew to an abnormal size that if often cripples me in my social interactions. I often believe that other women do no like me and I obsess over why and what I need to do to make myself more likeable. I almost sound crazy as I put those thoughts into words, but I'm not...Really.... I'm not... :) Do you struggle with any of these fears? It is very important to me to be liked and I don't really care about building friendships with men, I want women to like me. Even though I tell myself over and over, "Their opinion of me is none of my business."

 

 

 

 

 

Missing My Tan

 

I have decided that I think the reason I like these older pictures is because of the tan. I really miss my tan - nothing beats a good old fashioned real tan - even with the tanning bed - the real sun gives me a prettier color. I really believe I should have been born in California - not Tennessee. I'm glad today is Friday and have no real plans this weekend - except going to do Zumba again and if the weather corroborates, I will go walk on the Greenway Sunday. Hope you have a great weekend!!

 

 

One Goal Met

 

Today feels like it should be Friday - I am pleased to say that I have lost the holiday weight that I put on and now to see if I can reach my goal weight - only 32 more lbs to go - <sigh> I have been eating on a smaller plate to help me with my portions - it's not that I eat badly - I just eat a lot. Ever since I quit smoking 8 years ago I have really enjoyed the taste of food. I would like to get married this June but would like to be at my ideal weight and of course the money is an issue. I have actually found two venues locally that I really like but one of them I am unsure of the cost. March we should also know if he is going to get any money out of the car wreck, with him being out of work for the past two years - we could really use it. I really like how the below outfit looks on me - this was taken at the end of October - I must have slimmed down a little bit as these pants seem to fit pretty good in the below pic. Do you have any goals you are trying to reach this year?

 

This Weeks Smiles

Dreaming

 

This picture was taken during warmer weather - not reflecting the temps outside at all. I did work from home yesterday and the high got to a balmy 21 degrees. Feeling a little bit grumpy cooped up in the house - the cleanliness has worn off - HA I am so ready for spring/summer already. These colors below are perfect for spring/summer. I actually bought it for an Easter outfit it came with some white pants.  I am still waiting on my W2 so I can file my taxes - really need the moola. Are you expecting a big return? If so, what are you planning to do with it? I have to pay off some bills but am hoping to also paint the laundry room and invest in some more storage solutions. I am also counting it down to my stay-cation at the end of the month. I plan to paint the laundry room and work on an idea book for my dream kitchen, bathroom, and other things I would like to do to the house. Doesn't hurt to dream does it?

 

 

 

 

Snow/Cold Day

 

Today is a snow day or really a cold day here in TN. The wind chill is -12 (now that is extremely cold for us southerners). Working from home today in the comfort of my gorgeous new living room. This weekend was pretty good - went to Zumba Saturday morning with my two friends, Tavie and Beth, and had a blast. Got a really good work out and it apparently made me feel really good - I de-cluttered the office and the laundry room. The laundry room was driving me nuts - having to step over things on the floor - two TV's in the way. The ferret cage had his food all around the underneath edges - just junky-looking room. So, got it all cleaned and Mr. Man took the Tv's off to the dump with some other things. I just wish Mr. Man was less of a hoarder because our house is small and not equipped for major storage. We have the big garage out there but he says  his important things are not safe out there. I really liked the outfit below - I bought those gouchos at Cato's and haven't worn them until recently. They are cut strange around my hip area so they feel really tight around my panty line but I guess I gauge my weight loss via the fit. Speaking of which I have lost 3 lbs - 36 more to go LOL How was your weekend? Hope you are staying warm.

 

 

 

 

Zumba Maybe

Here is that wonderful scarf that I do so love - I really like pairing orange and pink. Old Man winter has really come to Tn - it is really cold - they are even calling for Monday to be on 16 degrees - BRRRR me no likey this weather at - yesterday it snowed and actually gave a little coating to the ground tomorrow I am invited to go to Zumba with a couple of my friends. I think I might just check it out since I can't get on the Greenway - darn winter. What are your plans this weekend?

Soft and Sunny

 

 

Mr. Man and I had a wonderful new year, his friends Bobby and Dana came over and we played cards and drank a little. It was a very nice, quiet celebration. Back at work today and the routines so I am planning to dig in my hills and really get focused this year they are calling for some and cold and possibly snowy weather so we shall see how it goes. The debut for 2014 was a beautiful sunshine day in the low 50's, I hope that is a sign of the a soft and sunny year to come. How was your New Year?

 

 

 

2014 - Happy New Year

And here is my January 1, 2013 Picture

So my goals for 2013 are below I did so-so on them :) Do you have any goals? Happy New Year and may this years bring prosperity for all of us

1) Get out of debt - start a savings accounts

Still a work on progress and will make the list for 2014

2) Continue MBA - only have until March

 

completed

 

3) Lose 30 lbs - continue to eat healthy and exercise

Still working on this

 



4) Get a car

completed

 

5) Continue home improvements

Still a work in progress

 

6) Purge negative thoughts

getting much better at this

 

7) Evaluate relationships and goals

umm not sure how to measure

 

8) Continue to work on my job

Work in progress

 

9) Try to be a blessing to those around me

Always a work in progress

 

10) Continue self-improvements

 

Work in progress

 

Goals for 2014

1) Lose 30 pounds

2) Grow my faith by reading and talking to God more

3) Get out of debt and increase amount in savings account

4)Live Simply (forget the  Jones)

5) Attend more church functions and volunteer more

6) Start a business plan for a dream I have

7) Home improvement goals - windows and additional bathroom

8) Give employer 100% of my best

9) Try to be a blessing to those around me

10) Work more out in the yard - learning to garden and landscape

 

We shall see if I can achieve these goals :)