It's Wine Night....er Craft Night.....

Or as My Love calls it, Girl's Gossip Night.  No matter the name, it means the same thing.  A fun, inexpensive, night with the girls, where something is actually being accomplished!

It really does work!!!

Most of you know I have been on Weight Watchers for a little while now.  I have had some success, but like all weight-loss programs, they only work if you work them!!!!  

During the holidays, I definitely slacked on my program.  Indulging in sweets, good wine, and rich foods did not work on my program!  But I'm okay with that.  I will not beat myself up.  Today is a new day.

Needless to say, I felt yucky and bloated after all of this indulgence.  I remembered reading about a detox drink on Pinterest that Jillian Michaels recommends.  I though I'd give it a try.  Let me tell you, it really does work!!!!  

How can it be February?

Isn't it January 3rd?  Where did the month go?  It cannot be February 3rd, already!

Talking about February, are you the kind of person that thinks Valentine's Day is just another Hallmark Holiday?  Or do you celebrate love and romance?  Me?  I'm a celebrator of love and romance!

Some randomness.....

I love these two.  Can't believe they've grown up so quickly.  She will be 25 in a week.  Really?  I remember turning 25.  My sister told me I was officially a quarter century old.  Now my girl is a quarter century old.  Time flies.

This photo was taken on Christmas Eve at my mom's.  I love it.  I'm reminded how quickly they grow, and how many times did I mean to journal something they said?  Or take a photo?  Oh well, we do what we can.

I found this awesome idea for journaling on Pinterest, of course.  Here is the link:

http://wendolonia.com/blog/2011/08/11/summer-fun-for-mom-homemade-smash-book/

Copy and paste into your browser, and it will take you to the blog.  I know I can just attach a link, but not sure how to do it.  If anyone knows, please tell me!!!  I am soooo technologically impaired!

Here goes:

1.  LISTENING:  to the dishwasher, and Law and Order on tv.  (One of my favorite shows!)

2.  EATING:  I just ate Dreamy Clusters by Skinny Cow.  Delish!!!

3.  DRINKING:  Nothing, but I could use a glass of water.  Too comfy to get it, though!

4.  WEARING:  Khakis, and a rust colored sweater.  Getting ready to get my jams on!!!

5.  FEELING:  Kind of tired, but looking forward to craft night tomorrow after work!

6.  WEATHER:  COLD!!!  I think it's 19 degrees outside.  Why don't I live in Florida?

7.  WANTING:  A drink of water!  I should just get up and get it!

8.  NEEDING:  To go to bed.  I loved my 4 day weekend, but work just wore me out today!

9.  THINKING:  About our date-night this Friday, and what snacks I will take to craft night, and what kind       of craft do I want to work on, and....and....and.....

10.  ENJOYING:  So much....I am very grateful for my life.  Sometimes my heart is so full I think it might burst!     

    

Now, it's your turn......use my journaling prompts if you'd like.  I'd love to see what kind of randomness is going on in your life.

Make it an awesome day!
Lori

Happy 2013!!!!!!

Are you a maker of resolutions, or goal maker???  Personally, I like making goals.  For one reason, I like making lists.  As I complete a goal, I check it off the list!  Also, for me it's easier to track. I list the steps I need to complete the goal, again checking them off after completion.  When all steps are complete, the goal has been reached!

For the last 3 years, I've had a goal of reading 12 books within a year.  Now, I read all the time.  I love reading blogs, magazines, news articles, etc.  My big-girl job is spent reading legal documents aalll ddaaayyyy llooonnnnggggg.  Yes, it gets a little boring. When I was young my mom used to say "She'd rather read than eat."  (I promise that is not true, but you get the point.)  That habit followed me well into adulthood.  

That is, until about 4 years ago.  It was during the time my dad was ill, and I was going through a divorce.  The thought of reading a book for enjoyment was not something I could even think about doing.  I don't know why it happened because reading was often an escape for me.  Or a way of relaxing.  Or sparked my creativity.  Or....Or....Or....I still don't quite understand why I struggle so much anymore, and hence the reason for the goal.  

I am happy to say 2012 is the year I have actually achieved that goal!  Yippeeee!!!!  Here's what I read in 2012:

The Chamber by John Grisham

The Pelican Brief by John Grisham

The Wedding Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini

The Painted House by John Grisham

The Associate by John Grisham

The Last Juror by John Grisham

Heartwood by Belva Plain

Financial Peace by Dave Ramsey

The Sight of the Stars by Belva Plain

Sonoma Rose by Jennifer Chiaverini

1225 Christmas Tree Lane by Debbie Macomber

The Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom

Boy, was I on a John Grisham kick, or what?  I love reading Jennifer Chiaverini's Elm Creek Quilt series.  That series inspired me to try hand-quilting, which I love to do!  Of course, Dave Ramsey is kind of in your face, but his financial wisdom stands the test of time.  I think everyone should read his book, even if you are financially stable.  It's just good sense.  I am really enjoying The Five People You Meet in Heaven.  Yes, I said enjoying.  I have about 50 pages left to read.  My Love has to work tonight, so we have no plans for the evening.  I will finish my book, and accomplish my goal, before midnight!

What are you reading?  I need to make my reading list for 2013!

I pray the next year is happy and blessed for all of you and your families.  Be safe!!!!

Make it an Awesome Year!!!!!

Lori

And Christmas Continues....

So how was your Christmas?  I hope it was filled with lots of love.  Our Christmas continues as my brother and sister, along with their families, came to town yesterday.  We are celebrating Christmas with them this evening.  I love week-long holidays!!!!

My Love totally surprised me with a new camera!  My old camera needed a new battery, and it would've cost almost as much as a new camera.  So Mr. Practical  bought the new camera.  I love it!    Maybe you'll see some decent pictures on here now.  But I warn you, I am still learning how to use it!

One of our traditions every year is to have an ornament exchange between the women of our family.  The ornament can be handmade, or store-bought.  I always make my ornaments because I have more crafting supplies than anyone should be allowed to own.  (My best-friend says I have an addiction, and need a 12 step program.  I tell her she is right there with me!)

This year I made these cute little wreaths.  I simply crocheted around a metal ring, and attached a jingle bell.  What I think boosted the cute factor is the packaging.  I grabbed some clothes pins, used embossing ink and gold powder to give them sparkle.  I punched circles out of old sheet music, and glued a little snowflake to my circles.  I attached these to the clothes pins, and even attached a magnet to the back so they can be reused.  I put the ornaments in a cellophane bag, and closed them with the clothespins.  Cute! Cute! Cute!

Do you have any traditions?  Please share!!!!

Make it an awesome day!
Lori

Sweet Sister Hope

I have to start out bragging about My Love.  Last weekend he told me we were going to dinner with friends on Thursday evening.  They just found out they are expecting, and wanted to celebrate.  Ok, I thought this was a little different, but I'm always up to a night out.  We go to dinner, and as we are finishing our meal, the expecting couple handed a card to me.  I opened it thinking they hand delivered their Christmas card this year.  Which they did, but inside were 2 tickets to see the TRAN SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA!!!!!!!!  Yes!  My Love got tickets to see TSO, and our whole group was going.  A total, wonderful surprise!!  If you have never seen them in concert I highly recommend.  AMAZING!!  The best part???  Seeing the look on Chris's face when he saw how happy I was.  What an amazing gift.  Two days later, and I am still grinning!  Thank you, Love!!!  

Now on to the real post I had planned....

I have a younger sister, and her name is Hope.  I was 3 when she was born.  I don't remember that period of time, but my mom has said she knew something was wrong right away.  Hope lacked that "will to live."  Everything she ate came back up.  Weight gain was slow.  Finally, at 18 months old, she was diagnosed as being "Moderately Mentally Retarded."  If Hope were born today, we would  have known before she was born that she had some disabilities.  The diagnosis would probably be more along the lines of "mentally challenged."  At least, that's what the nurse at her doctor's office called it.  Anyway, to us she is just our Sweet Sister Hope.  Well, usually she is sweet.  Sometimes she is a little cranky.  

I love this photo.  It was taken by the awesome Elizabeth Mullins of 2B Photography.  Hope loves her baby, and carries her wherever we go.  My next project should probably be a new dress for baby.  Last night while shopping, baby lost her dress.  I don't know how, and I don't know where.  All I do know is Hope is carrying around a naked baby.  Not good.

When looking for an art project for Hope (she loves to craft, just like her sister!) I look for projects that a pre-schooler would enjoy.  I found this project on Pinterest (my favorite website other than my blog!)  It's super easy, Hope loved it!

Supplies:
Art canvas
Acrylic paints
Blue Painters tape

All you do is tape off a word, or you could do a shape.  Drizzle some paint on the canvas, and swirl away.  You can use finger paints, but we used the acrylic paint.  For Hope it was best to use a brush, dipped in a little water.  I found that helps spread the paint more easily.  We chose her name.  Truthfully, it's the only word she knows how to spell.  She recognizes it, and will spell it for you if you ask.

This painting sits on a shelf in her room.  (She is with me almost every weekend, and has her own room at my house.  She will show her room to you, along with her new bed.  Her bed is actually 7-8 years old, but to her it's new.)  I think it would be a sweet project for a toddler to make for a grandparent for Christmas.  

What projects have you started for Christmas?  I would love to hear from you.  I need some more ideas!!!!

Merry Christmas!!!
Lori