Light in the Darkroom

Well Happy New Year! I know long time, and I totally did not keep my commitment of reigniting my blogging the past few months, but I am surely going to try my best to keep it up now. I feel like it has become my neglected child, but not to worry!

I hope the new year has all of you doing great, feeling well, and motivated for fabulous-ness. I am not one for resolutions and have never really conformed to the whole idea of stating aloud, the many things that I want, but will not accomplish throughout the year. Instead, I look at what I have completed as small victories and move on from there. I'm totally dreading the gym today simply due to the excess of new-year'ers that will be in there with their 30-day workout plans. Annoyance is coming over me already *think happy thoughts*.

Regardless, if the resolution thing is what you do, good luck, I wish you the best...hopefully you'll make it past January. Just keep it realistic!

Until the next time...

Happy Monday! Hope you all had a great weekend! I have to say the weekend was pretty eventful. Saw an old friend that I haven't seen in a while which was great...went to a cookout and I must say it was the most hilarious cookout I have been to in a lonnggg time!! I was thoroughly entertained and the food was pretty good too!

There was one casualty though...my poor cell phone!! Somehow it experienced some water exposure. Fortunately it still comes on and I was able to backup my information on the computer, but as fortune goes, the keyboard is non-functioning. It's like a taunting of sorts, like a cat and mouse games, it still vibrates when I have calls and I can see when people are calling I just can't answer. At first I was thinking oh it's the end of the world I don't have my phone, I can't communicate with people, but now I'm looking at it as a blessing in disguise. I'd rather not be bothered half the time anyway so it's a welcomed break from constantly being connected to the world. Fingers crossed it will dry out!

Hope this week is smooth, until tomorrow...

It's been a longggg time, I know. I haven't been on here in ages, well maybe not ages, but since April which seems like ages ago to me. Now that summer is starting to wind down, I find myself trying to pull back and piece together some sort of structure that I've lacked since the sun has been roasting us slowly.

I'm going to start writing on here daily again though you may need to give me a week to fully get back into the swing of things. I have many things to share since my absence so hopefully you'll start to tune in again!!!

Toodles for now...

BTW...today is President Obama's 49th birthday!! Happy Birthday Mr. President!!!

I would say Happy April Fool's Day, however I despise it sooo much! I don't think it's funny to have jokes played on you so, I'm steering clear of unnecessary contact with anyone today. If I don't answer your call, don't be offended! Yes, I'm that scared lol...

Happy February!

Welcome to the month of love and history. So many good things for such a short month, but it should prove to be action packed. I hope you enjoyed the weekend snow fall Because apparently we are getting more this weekend. I love snow, but I like snow that matters! I need something during the week so I can stay home not on the weekend when I want to go out and do things.

I have to say this years Grammy's were pretty good and out how much I watched, (the first hour, dvr'd the rest) I enjoyed the performances. I'm not really an awards show watcher, but it was worth my time. I especially enjoyed Pink's performance. The whole in the air twirling melody thing was pretty cool.

Have a productive day...Happy Monday

Well here we are, the first Monday of the new year...the first work day...and surprisingly it doesn't feel as cumbersome as most Monday's do. Today I am focusing on cleaning out my desk. It's never ridiculously junky or filled up with miscellaneous items, but I just like everything from last month to have a place.

It seems Washington sports were in the news this weekend. The inevitable has finally occurred, Redskins head coach Jim Zorn was fired yesterday. Even though the Redskins did horrible this season, I somewhat feel bad for the guy. I don't think there is just a one person change around solution for this team. Everyone plays a part, and some people are just not pulling their weight. My suggestion would be to look at the bigger picture. Coaches are always the fall guy when things go south, but in this case, there are so many other reasons.

On the other side, Gilbert Arenas, who can now be called a flip-flopper, has conflicting stories as to why exactly he had a gun in his locker at Verizon center. Now usually you can smell a bad lie from far away, "I brought the gun here to keep it away from my baby" really??? Considering this is not his first child did he not feel that way about the other two? They're all under the age of 5, so could he not put it up high? Clearly if he brought it to work than it's not for protecting the home. Then the newest story that he actually pulled it on one of his teammates for a gambling debt?!? I just don't understand some of these athletes. You make so much money, maybe you should use some of it for a personal consultant...someone you can tell everything to before you do it so that you stay out of trouble, since obviously your moral compass is a little screwy. Ridiculous!

Happy Monday!

Happy New Year! We've talked about it and anticipated it and now that it's here...it feels the same as last year! I had been thinking of what it was that I would like to do differently in 2010, but the only thing that has really stood out in my mind is a fresh beginning. That means, letting everything that bothered me in 2009 go...and I mean really letting go of not only situations, but the people that they involved. Life as we know it is really short...too short to be bothered with thoughts, people, and situations that do not mean you well. I just really need to focus on me. I had dinner with a friend last night and we just really talked about putting things into perspective. It's good to be a realist about everything, and to have someone to bounce those ideas around with.

Heard this song standing in line at Sears last night...oh the memories!!!

Sargie getting ready for the snow in his fashionable bomber jacket.

The Christmas trees in the backyard during the snowfall.

Sargie playing in the snow...a little.

One of the many robin's trying to take cover in the now bare trees during the snowfall.

My car underneath the snow.

My mom and squirt shovelling away...I think I was supposed to be helping lol.

The path that we dug for Sarge, so he could move about the backyard freely.

Hardwork always pays!

Hope all of you shoppers out there are partially done with your gift buying. There's only ten more days to go and then Christmas will be here. I'm still holding out hope for a white Christmas, but the temperatures keep going up and down and then back up again, it doesn't look too good.

Anyhow, back to studying...Good luck in your ventures and Happy Monday!!

I absolutely LOVE this song right now...so I'm sharing!! Enjoy!

Yay how wonderful to have a mini snow event!?! I have to say I prefer snow during the week when there is a possibility to sleep in, but I'll take it any day as opposed to no days at all. It was really pretty to look at...I like to call them wishful snow storms because I wish there was more. I don't like it to snow and disappear :-( none the less we should have more soon as this is just the beginning of winter!!!

I am finally done cooking!!! I need a round of applause for that...I started baking Wednesday after work and just finished cooking the last item maybe an hour ago. I don't want to think about the oven, 350 degrees, or anything that needs an hour to be done. I will speak on my successes and one failure with the Thanksgiving feast this year.

In the midst of it all I have discovered what I really want for Christmas or my birthday, or a "hey just wanted to let you know you rock" gift....a Kitchenaid professional 600 series, 6 quart, bowl lift stand mixer in empire red. I LOVE this beautiful piece of machinery! Just look for yourself...

Isn't it just cherry red perfection??? But alas I think all of my hint dropping is going to fall upon deaf ears. I'll probably end up purchasing it for myself. Which is fine too, but if it were presented to me with a big bow around it...I definitely wouldn't complain!

Outside of the hoopla and grandeur of cooking fantastic goodies, I started thinking of what I am truly thankful for...and yes not just on yesterday, I do visit this topic often. I made a short list...

1. Health - it is soo important to understand and realize that life is short and with so many different diseases and ailments around, I am thankful to be well and able to do the things that I choose to do. To not have to take multiple medications in order to get out of the bed and get the day started.
2. Shelter - with the many people that have lost their homes, though some have been fortunate enough to be able to lean on family and friends, there are some who have nowhere to turn. It is their car, a shelter or the streets that they no w call home. I am thankful to have a home. Even though the neighbors SUCK...I am happy to say that I have some.
3. Friends - not associates, but true friends that I can call about whatever and whenever and just talk, cry, laugh or anything and be accepted and loved for being just who I am. I've come across many people (most this year) who can't just be themselves, it's a persona for every different group of people they come across. I am thankful for the opportunity to let my true colors shine.
4. Happiness - strange, maybe, but for me, happiness is equally important. Without a light heart, joy or laughter...many of life's tasks I would probably never complete. Being happy intimidates others who are not free to experience this emotion. They complain about everything whether it happened to them or not. I am thankful that through happiness I am able to look at things from two perspectives, getting the whole picture, and seeing the sunlight through the clouds.
5. Family - even though they drive me crazy every hour of every day, without them...I would be lost. I love them lots the craziness included. They deal with me, which is a big task, mood swings, attitudes, laughter, joy, pain, sorrow...I am still loved the same. I appreciate that sooo much.
6. Dreams - just being able to dream something and actually fight and try to achieve it. Some people don't poses the drive in life to keep going, persevere through it all and still get back up when you get knocked down. I am thankful to dream uninhibited.

I hope that you all were able to reflect on the many different things we have to be thankful for. I'm sure my list will differ from many in one way or another, but I think even just realizing that you have a lot to be thankful for is more than a 75% start.

Have a Great Weekend!!!

Til Monday.....

Boy has this week really been a whirlwind of events...I am happy to be in the comfort of my home on a Friday night (~insert the grandma jokes here~) especially with thanksgiving around the corner this will truly be one of my only nights to relax for the next week or so! I'm super excited to cook my new experimental items along with a couple of tried and true dishes in the mix. I'll be sure to post some pictures as they come out of the oven!

Firstly, I would like to extend my extreme gratitude to any and everyone who has served in the armed forces or are currently serving today. It is a great task and unbelievable selflessness that truly allows a person to put their life on hold and on the line for so many others to fight for the belief of freedom and liberty for all. I stand 110% behind all of those who serve this country with pride and dignity. I hope that you all have done something not just today, but everyday to recognize these individuals. Regardless, of your political beliefs, I hope that you support our troops.

So I can't really say that I necessarily ♥ this infomercial, but I saw it last week and it was really weird, but I watched the whole thing! And yes before you ask, how it plays below is how it plays on TV with all of the mixing included for your entertainment. At the very least you'll laugh and if not in the beginning at least at the end when someones grandma is talking and laughing. I hope I don't see this on TV again!!