Lorikins

The final touches...

2012-01-29T12:22:00.000-08:00

Hello! Happy New Year!! I know, it's almost February ... I'm a little late. I've been trying to come up with a new design for my blog but I haven't put that much time into it. It is a work in progress. Every time I sit down to write something, I talk myself out of it. Not really too much I want to write about. I have been absolutely uninspired in my scrapbooking. I am forcing myself today to crank some pages out. I am waaaaaayyy behind.

I got to thinking this morning that I NEED to take another picture of myself to see where I am in my weight loss progression. I started this back in 2009 and made the goal to lose 30 pounds no matter how long it took. In 2010 I was able to finally say that I lost the 30 pounds and decided at that time I would try and lose another 15. Well, it is now 2012 and I am the same weight I was almost a year ago today. I have lost a total of 37 pounds to date so I have about 8 more pounds left to reach my goal.

So.... here is a photo of me on day one of this project - 2009

Me in 2010 - 30 pounds down

Today - 37 pounds gone and 8 to go!

The last photo was taken of me this morning before I went on a little run around the neighborhood. If you know me, you know I do not like to have pictures taken of myself but I really thinks this helps me to stay focused. As does blogging about it.

2012 - this year will be the final touch! Tone up (lose those saddle bags;O) and just get in the best shape of my life. That is my number one goal. I put down the wine and champagne this past month and laced up my running shoes so I could get back on track.

So here is to 2012 and reaching some serious goals.

Helloooooo

2011-11-19T11:56:00.000-08:00

I haven't updated the blog in quite sometime. Wow! Almost Thanksgiving. Cannot believe that. This time of year is just bittersweet for me. Missing my mom and her holiday traditions. But I am so thankful for the memories she gave me and the things she taught me. I was just in the kitchen whipping up some "test" mashed potatoes before I make them for real on Thursday. I was thinking about her and what she would say as I whipped the potatoes and they flew all over the counter. She would probably laugh just like I did.

Anyway .. with November almost over I am now a year older. 44...really? When did that happen? My birthday was last week and my wonderful husband (with the help of my sister and Spence) threw me a SURPRISE party. Yes...it was very much a surprise (pictures to come) I walked into a house full of my family and friends and just could not believe it. They pulled it off. I'm rather suspicious in nature but they got it past me. Too much going on in my life right now to be too observant I guess. It was a great time. I will always remember it.

So THANKFUL for my family and friends. And thanks to my Mom for teaching me how to make mashed potatoes. Her's were so good. I can only hope mine will measure up:)

I've been a little crafty lately (a couple of Etsy updates in the shop). Just being a little creative, for me, helps take my mine off of the everyday stresses.

So today and tomorrow, with gloomy rainy weather here in So Cal, I look forward to more craftiness. The house is decorated for Christmas (a work in progress) and were going to eat mashed potatoes;)

Enjoy your weekend!!!! Be back soon.

Etsy Update

2011-10-19T13:24:00.000-07:00

Happy Wednesday!

I have been enjoying some quiet time this afternoon before I go and get Spence.. well actually I have Terms of Endearment on as my background noise so it's not exactly quiet... love, love, love Terms of Endearment. I have seen this movie so many times and I cry every time! Anyway, I worked early this morning and was able to come home and do a little crafting and update my shop with a few things.... just a few.

Not much else to say today. Be back soon. Enjoy your day!

Some of my favorite things....

2011-10-11T17:30:00.000-07:00

I have picked a few things that I really use and love out of Campaign 22.....

Skin Transforming primer - link here . I wear it over my moisturizer before my foundation and I really notice a difference in the way my foundation lasts.

Age-Transforming Foundation (link here ). It is light but has full coverage which I love.
(primer and foundation is BOGO this campaign)

Genics cream - this is the night cream they have been advertising on television and I love, love, love it. It's not heavy and it makes my skin feel great in the morning. (link here ). If you buy the Genics cream you can get any day cream for only $10.00. great deal!

And for something fun and just in time for Halloween - the new Mosaic nail polish - so cool! (link here) you can layer it over nail polish for a funky mosaic look (link for nail polish here )

Just a few of my favorites for this week. You can order on my website and if you live in my local area I will deliver it for free. Enter code at checkout for free shipping on purchase of $30.00 or more if you're outside my area. All purchases comes with free goodies:) There really are some great things coming up for the holidays...be back soon!!!

(LMassicot/AVON Ind. Sales. Rep.)

Sunday....

2011-10-09T15:39:00.000-07:00

Why does the weekend always go by so fast? This weekend was busy and relaxing at the same time. I was sidelined from running my 1/2 marathon. Didn't get to finish my goal but I will someday. My friend Melissa finished this morning in the time we were aiming for and I'm VERY proud of her. I didn't realize how much consistent running took out of you. I say "consistent" because I just started with consistent running 10 weeks ago:) Too much too soon. I did do three miles this morning with the boys and Bea but it was a hobbled effort:) I realize that I can speed walk almost as fast as I jog and speed walking is a pretty good workout. Maybe I will get some poles to help with my walking:)

I have been busy working on some new things for my shop. Getting ready for a busy work week and Bill's birthday on Friday and hopefully be able to run our 2nd annual Susan G. Komen 5K next Sunday.

I will be back with some AVON updates and ETSY updates sometime this week. I think I will go pour a glass of wine and watch some Grey's Anatomy:) Have a great week!

Etsy Update

2011-09-29T15:35:00.000-07:00

Happy Thursday! I've updated my shop (a little) and I'm working on some new holiday goodies.

(Shop link.)

Trying to get back into some creative mojo. Be back soon.......

Enjoy your day!

Ding Dong....

2011-09-27T13:16:00.000-07:00

AVON lady calling....:)

Here are some of my favorite products this week. (I will try to keep updating this)

ANEW Genics night creme - I have been using this for a few weeks and I love it! I have experimented with different cremes in the past and this one is my favorite. It is a new products and they are offering a really great deal when you buy the GENICS you can get any day creme for only $10.00. Great deal!

Click on my website below and it is on the first page.

Next up ... the eyes.

Super Shock Mascara - Love this mascara and the waterproof works great. Makes your lashes super thick and not clumpy. Item No. 464-696 (Black)

Glimmersticks Eye line - (BOGO) - LOVE this eyeliner and it's the only one I use. Goes on super easy and stays on. Comes in waterproof also. Item No. 400-257 (Cosmic Brown)

Now for the lips....

My all time favorite lip gloss - Two for $5.00 this Campaign - Item No. (441-472 Apple Cinamon) You can browse other colors.

Smooth Velvet Lip Color - (Item No. 559-593) Cafe Au Lait is my favorite. Stays on and is really natural looking. $2.99 this campaign.

Click HERE for my store and enjoy! - If you have any questions please feel free to call. If you live in my area I offer free delivery and if you live out of area I will send you some free samples with purchase:)

Thank you!! Enjoy your day!
Lori Massicot, AVON Independent Sales Rep.

Fall is here....

2011-09-25T10:54:00.000-07:00

I'm so happy ... the weather is cool today and I'm loving it! I think Fall is my favorite time of year. Decorated a little bit yesterday for fall/halloween and the house feels cozy.

My friend said she read my blog on Friday and I realized that I hadn't posted since July:O The summer went so fast and I didn't take many pictures with my camera (all on my phone) but I did a little collage of some of my favorites from our summer.....

Our camping trip to the beach with our friends, Bill and I saw Kid Rock in August and he was AMAZING and Spence on his first day of school. Not too many but some of the best:)

Now everything is back in the groove (I think) Spence is doing great in school and is loving learning and playing the clarinet. Bill is working six days a week (long hours). Beatrice is loving her new home and has become such an important part of our family. And I'm working everyday cleaning 6 to 8 houses a week and still training for the 1/2 marathon which is two weeks from today. BUT....I have been a little sidelined due to back and knee pain ... A LOT of back and knee pain. About 3 to 5 miles into my run lately my knee has been screaming at me to stop. I kind of jumped into this training after not working out for a couple of months (consistently) and not stretching. The stretching is the key. So ... we will see .... I am relying on my foam roller and Alleve to get me through the next couple of weeks but I don't want to push it so I may have to postpone the 1/2 for a later time. More training may be needed. I am loving it though. Bill said to me yesterday "you look strong". Eight weeks of running and my body has definitely changed. I don't think I have lost weight (avoiding the scale) but I can see the difference in my clothes and I do feel stronger. So something good has come out of all this work even if I can't actually do the marathon.

So today is Sunday, our favorite day of the week, and we are in relaxation mode around here. The house is decorated for fall/halloween and we are waiting for the Charger game to start, making a roast in the crock pot and I have both episodes of Grey's Anatomy to still watch. I LOVE Sunday. Especially a gloomy Sunday like today.

I will back either tomorrow or Tuesday with some of my AVON favorites. There are some great deals happening right now and I'm going to be selling strong through the holidays so stop back by.

xoxoxo

Challenge

2011-07-31T11:51:00.000-07:00

chal·lenge

1. a call or summons to engage in any contest, as of skill, strength, etc.

2.something that by its nature or character serves as a call to battle, contest, special effort, etc.: Space exploration offers a challenge to humankind.

3. a call to fight, as a battle, a duel, etc.

For me - my challenge - (thrown down my good friend) is to run the Long Beach 1/2 marathon in October. October 9th to be exact. A little less than 10 weeks away. I thought I would put it out there as I have started to "train" for this and I am feeling a little intimidated even when I just say "I am doing a 1/2 marathon". Yes, me, running 13.1 miles. Well I say running but it is really jogging with fast walking in between. But by the time October rolls around I want to say I ran most of it (even if it is just a jog).

So today I ran in the rain. LOVE the rain in So. Cal this morning. And I thought, after 2.75 miles, how in the heck am I going to make another 10+ miles? Oh my! The next 10 weeks will hopefully prepare me for it both physically and mentally. It is definitely a CHALLENGE and I am really proud of myself that I accepted it and am going to do it no matter how long it takes. no matter how long it takes...........
they say a reasonable amount of time to run 13.1 miles is 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Not sure about that for me but again....no matter how long it takes. I will keep repeating that to myself...over and over again.

And I will document it here to keep me accountable:)

Anyway....here is a layout I did of my "throw down" partner and her adorable daughter.

and I made another one for my ETSY shop and added it today:)

I think I am getting back in the swing of creating and I'm enjoying it.

Enjoy your Sunday! Be back soon:)

Lorikins...Etsy shop

2011-07-20T09:43:00.000-07:00

Since I've been gone I'm not sure if anyone is reading this anymore:)

But....I've finally added some items to my Etsy shop. I've had some extra time this week since Spence has been home sick:O He caught a flu bug on his trip I think. Anyway....day three and I've actually been busy crafting.

Check it out here.

Trying to check some things off of my to do list and this was one of them:)

I will be back soon. Happy Wednesday:)

Jumping on the Band Wagon

2011-07-18T13:48:00.000-07:00

Since I've been out of my creating zone lately I did a little blog browsing this weekend to find the latest and greatest. I came across this new Smash Book idea. I had heard of it but never took the time to see what it was all about. I watched and LOVED this video.

After searching around I realized this is something I can come up with on my own with everything I have in my stash. I used to make books like this when I was younger. So laying in bed last night feeling inspired I remembered I had this sketch book (never used...imagine that) that would be perfect.

Perfect and BIG. I have so many ideas. It won't be in order. It won't be neat. It will just be mine and that is all that matters. I'm normally a "keep it in order" kind of gal but for this I will just have fun with it. I needed the inspiration to get going. I've been up since 4:30 with lot's of ideas and I'm loving it!

I will share as I go along.

Enjoy your Monday:)

Helloooooo

2011-07-17T18:35:00.000-07:00

It has been almost two months since I've posted. Wow! how time flies. I have been scouring the internet today (something I don't really do anymore) to find some inspiration. I have been dormant in the creativity department. I made a big step today in cleaning off my scrapbook table. I've been working on a layout for the past few months (ha!) and today I spilled a glass of water on it;O That is some progress right there.

What can I say I have been in a funk. Maybe it all started when Daisy died in April. On that day I ran a 5K and finished in 34 minutes. I was working on opening my Etsy shop and was really motivated and then it all went out the window. I know I miss her so much. Being in my scrapbook room reminds me of her sitting in her favorite chair right a long side of me. Losing her was harder than I think I've realized...deep down. I tend to push things out of my mind so I'm not sad and I just go but not this time. I've been a little funky and not in a good way. I am not consistent with anything right now and it is driving me crazy. I am consistent with watching reality t.v. and that has got to stop. What a time sucker that is....but oh so addicting. If it wasn't for Bravo and HGTV I could probably give it up....oh and The Office and right now Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Big C and Entourage starting up. Help! I AM ADDICTED.

I have forced myself today to clean my office, read and try to de-stress and yes....exercise. You see ... my Spence left on a jet plane last week for an Alaskan Cruise with my in-laws and I have been kind of a wreck without him. Especially the flying part:O But right now he is in the car heading in my direction and it is probably another half an hour before I see his cute freckle face. I cannot wait to give him a million hugs and kisses.

So tomorrow my friends. I am back. I am dusting the cobwebs out of my mind and I'm getting back on track. There is too much in my life that is going on so I have to stay focused on the positive and what is important. And I have realized over the past few years of so much CRAP happening around me my ability to create and focus on my health has allowed me to stay strong. Somewhere along the past few months I have just derailed a bit. Stay Strong and Carry On. (is that a saying?) maybe I just made it up;O

Anyway....Spence just called and he is almost here. Gotta put Ms. Bea in her crate so she doesn't attack him before I get my hands on him.

See you SOON!!!!

Meet Bea

2011-05-21T13:49:00.000-07:00

Ms. Beatrice

Our house without our Daisy was too empty. Too sad. We didn't make it too long before adopting another. This girl is about 1 1/2 she is a lab mix and she is full of LOTS of energy:) She was brought back to the shelter after being adopted for a month because she was too energetic. This was the same story we heard when we adopted Daisy Dog. She needed a home and we needed to rescue a dog. We just needed it. Unfortunately the last 18 months have taught me a lot about grieving. I believe that you have to do what is the best for you so you can move on and feel happiness again. Losing Daisy (for all of us) was extremely painful and still is but after a couple trips to the shelter we needed to bring this dog home. In the words of my husband...."what are we waiting for"? (words to live by)

Anyway...we have had her for three weeks now and she has only chewed ....

one remote control....

part of the blinds....

three leashes....

a couple shoes

a lamp cord....

and numerous dog toys

She is up at the crack of dawn and ready to play. Spencer is her best friend.

We are working on the jumping and puppy biting (those teeth) but she is house trained and she sits and shakes and listens really good! She sleeps on her back which is totally cute.

It makes me feel so good knowing we rescued her and she has a family to call her own.

If you're thinking about getting a dog please go to your local shelter before you do anything else. There are so many great dogs in the shelter that need homes. God Bless the folks who work in my local shelter. They have so much passion and love for these animals. But there are just TOO many.

Getting back into my creating routine today while watching Sex and the City marathon.

One more week of school for Spence and then it's SUMMER. Yay!!!!

Enjoy your weekend. Be back soon.

xoxo

Happy Mothers Day

2011-05-08T09:31:00.000-07:00

(my mom, sister and me...circa 1967)

Wishing all the hard working, loving mom's out there a happy day today and always!

What I wouldn't give to give my mom a BIG hug today.

But I'm super happy I get a lot of BIG hugs from my little man:)

(love this picture)

Enjoy your day!!!

xoxo

Good Bye Friend

2011-04-22T07:30:00.000-07:00

Daisy Dog Massicot

Our sweet girl went to heaven on April 17th.

We had ten years of great memories with this very special friend. Bill, Spence and I miss her very much and the decision to put her down was fast and agonizing. Our house is not the same. She was my right hand gal:). Every time I leave the room I think her four little paws are going to follow me --- but they don't. This has been a tough week but I have come to realize she is definitely in a better place without pain and suffering.

Our relationship was a unique bond and I am so thankful for the time I had with her.

And I am also very thankful for the wonderful cards, calls and emails we have received about our girl. We all feel the love and know there are so many people out there that understand the great pain of losing a pet ---

after all they are so much more than that.

I saw a bumper sticker on a car the other day that say's it all....

"Who rescued who?"

Sunday

2011-03-27T10:55:00.000-07:00

Hello Happy Sunday! My favorite day of the week. Spence and I just went for a little run and now we are home doing some spring cleaning and hopefully some crafting.

I tried my new workout video. Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30. Did Week One on Wednesday and was sore until Friday;) My consistency in working out has been really lacking lately. I will try again this week. It is a really good workout and right up my alley at 24 minutes. On Tuesday I had a little accident while working and gave myself one heck of a black eye. Oh boy did it hurt. Now it is just really ugly and I'm really over it. I just let a throbbing black eye get in the way of my workouts;O bummer!

Part of our spring cleaning is making room for some of my mom's things in our house. I don't want things sitting out in my garage where they will be forgotten about. So I'm trying to make room and re-organize my things so they can blend together with hers.

This is just a little of my front porch ...

My mom's favorite color was red so I freshened up what was already red but really faded with some new red spray paint. I'm trying to add some color to my life. I realize that I'm kind of boring and I want to start changing things up. I could really get into some gardening today but the weather is still cold and rainy here so I'll wait until next weekend to break out some more things that I brought home from her beautiful garden:) Will post pictures when it's nice and sunny:)

Enjoy your Sunday! Happy weekend:)

Spring has Sprung

2011-03-20T12:04:00.000-07:00

Time to hit the "refresh" button. I'm mixing things up. Starting tomorrow I am going to start Ripped in 30. New eating plan. New workout. I think I'm in a rut right now and I need to bring myself out of it.

Be back with my reviews and some creative goodness!!

Happy First Day of Spring;)

Bittersweet

2011-03-12T12:39:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted in awhile. So much going on in these past couple of months. I feel like, today, everything is going to go back to somewhat "normal" around here. Yesterday was bittersweet. We had to say goodbye to my Mom's house. A house that she owned for twenty years. She put a lot of love into that house and it showed. It was harder than I thought. I drove past this morning with Spence and the new owners were moving in. Damn! I wasn't going to cry but I couldn't help but get a little emotional about it all. The past couple of months (o.k. maybe four months) have been stressful to say the least but today I kind of feel like I can take a deep breath and take a little break before anymore major challenges come my way. What am I going to do with all my spare time? Well... let's see......

-Scrapbook - I need it! Bad!
-Workout at least 5 days a week. Running a 5K next weekend and I am not feeling so confident about it.

-Stop worrying so much about the scale (was very inspired by Cathy Zielske's post .. read it here.)

-Take Spence to a movie....miss doing that
-Get back on track with my AVON
-Start planning our summer trip
-Start planning Spencer's 10th birthday plans

and last but not least....

SLEEP:)

But for right now...today.....I'm going to head to my hometown and spend the evening with my girls:)

Much needed celebrating is in order for my friend Julies 43rd birthday:) and just celebrate life in general. Sleep will come soon;)

Enjoy your weekend!!! Be back soon:)

-

Loving......

2011-02-26T17:27:00.000-08:00

I'm sitting at my computer catching up on my blogs....Facebook.....emails and other random websites that I can scroll through while in my pj's, sipping chardonnay with my snoring Daisy Dog laying next to me. It is the moment in this week that I can take a breath and sit back and relax. The weeks are flying by. I'm working a LOT (which is good). We are still cleaning out my Mom's house (a task I don't wish on anyone). I have to say it is getting to the point of just being absolutely "brutal". I give major props (yes, I realize I just said "props") to my sister who is living in a house that is torn apart. A house where there was once a lot of love and warmth now seems cold and completely empty. I will say it again...."it is absolutely brutal". To me, it is like taking one step forward and then four steps back. I hope once we get through it (hopefully) things will get better. I hope. I pray.

So I started thinking about what I'm loving in my life. There are many things. Nothing of monetary value just plain ol' simple...good....things. They are ... in no particular order....

*Spence playing basketball. I'm loving watching this kid and the sport in general.
*I love that Bill knows SO much about every single sport there is and helps Spence with his game.
*I love that my sister and I can kind of argue with each other in one minute and then laugh in the next while we are trying my Mom's coats on.
*I'm loving my size 10 jeans fitting loose today. (so vain) Oh well...I've worked hard for it.
*Loving that I clean houses everyday. Yes.....I said it. I love it!
*I love that I'm going to see my friends two weeks from tonight. Can't wait!
*I love this cold weather but only when I'm inside with the heater on:)
*I love Andy Cohen and Watch What Happens Live. Random... but come on....The Real Housewives of Atlanta and Beverly Hills reunion shows were AWESOME!
*I love the Hungry Girl show and all of the great recipes. Looking forward to making her Fettucini.
*I'm loving the fact that during all of this chaos lately I've started selling my "bigger" clothes on Ebay and made my first sale this week:) Really love that!
*Loving The Office. I just love Steve Carell. I will miss him.

o.k. ....last one.......

*Loving that it is Oscar Sunday tomorrow and I'm going to be with family and there will probably be champagne involved. (only wished I had seen more of the movies)

Enjoy your weekend:)

xoxo

2011-02-18T16:55:00.000-08:00

I haven't been much into blogging lately but I saw this today and loved it! So true in my life right now.

I will be back soon. Busy with life right now. I need to be creative at some point this weekend. I'm going to enjoy a four day weekend with Spence...the rain....basketball....family.....a good movie (or two) and lunch at Red Robin and yes..hopefully...some scrapbooking.

I've lost only a pound in two weeks. Can you say plateau? I'm super hungry and I feel like my body is working against me to lose this last 10 pounds. I know I have been here many times before and I know my attitude is a lot different than it has been in the past so I will persevere and hopefully reach my goal by May. That is still the plan.

Anyway...sorry so boring today....Happy Presidents Day weekend. Enjoy!!!!

Be back soon.

xoxo

Today...

2011-02-05T17:34:00.000-08:00

Today I....

-woke up super early.
-woke Spence up super early.
-didn't weigh in.
-went to my Mom's house and worked with my sister & Spence to start packing things up.
-(we) had a last minute garage sale.
-realized how much garage sales suck when you're having them.
-thought a lot about "stuff" and how much we collect in our lifetimes.
-realized that the time has come (after 13 months) to move on.
-have a super huge heartache.
-found a very special box of old letters & photo's from my high school years.
-realized how lucky I am to have my friends still in my life that these letters and photo's came from.
-thought a lot about what I could do to ease my sister's pain.
-found out how hard it is to move some of my Mom's things into my house.
-confirmed my feelings on living simple and not having a lot of "things".
-went to Costco and stood in the longest line ever...really Superbowl creates such a crowd?
-rescued a dog from the middle of the street with Spence and walked it back to his house.
-was sad to see the owner of said dog wasn't really that happy to see him.
-continued to read my special box of letters...which included a few tears and lot's of laughs.
-really can't wait to eat pizza and have a glass (or two) of wine tonight.
-organized my scrapbook room for a crafting Superbowl tomorrow.
-feel a lot of love for the people in my life. past and present.

Be back with some of the results from my crafting Superbowl....soon.

Enjoy your weekend!

-
-

-

Weekend Inspiration

2011-01-31T17:35:00.000-08:00

Here is another layout I did over the weekend based on a sketch at The Scrappiest.

Here is the sketch....

and here is my take...

Spence and I in November in Long Beach. It was a beautiful day.

Well...that is it for today. More to come;) I think I'm getting back into the swing of things;)

Enjoy your week.

xoxo

Sketch Inspiration No. Two and WW update

2011-01-29T14:05:00.000-08:00

This is a layout I completed during the week. Based on Sketch 100 over at The Scrappiest blog. (link is under my favorites to the right side of my blog).

Here is the sketch....

and here is my take...

Our anniversary weekend in Palm Desert last year.   It was a fun weekend;)

For my weekly WW weigh in this morning I lost 3.2 pounds. And yes folks for the first time since 1998 I am OFFICIALLY in the 140's. 149 to be exact. I was so happy...I had tears of joy! The ladies at the meeting were excited for me. It has been two years since I decided to lose 30 pounds and now I'm at 36 ....nine more to go. I have to say I'm proud of myself for being diligent and not giving up.   There were times that I wanted to. I lost the thirty and kept it off for six months and now I'm on the last "leg" of it. I think for me ..this time around....is the fact that I (for once in my life) decided I needed to lose this weight for health purposes. It isn't to be super skinny. I want to be healthy and strong. What I put into my body and how I take care of it is totally up to me. It is the only thing I feel that I have CONTROL over nowadays. I owe it to myself to really be the best I can be. I think I deserve it:) (now I sound like Oprah....not that that is a bad thing).

I am a lot happier with myself than I was in January of 2009 . That before picture was me NOT happy.   Even though 2009 was absolutely the worse year of my life followed up by 2010 being not so great ...I stuck with it and when I run or I feel like I'm too tired to get through the day I talk to my Mom. I know that even though she is no longer here I can still feel her positive vibes coming through. Her memory keeps me going. And if she was still here she would of been my first phone call on my way home from my weigh in:)

Thanks for listening and I can only hope that maybe my weight loss "journey" might help or encourage someone else in the same boat as me:)

Enjoy your weekend! I'm working on some more craftiness and will be back soon with more to share.

Sketch Inspiration

2011-01-24T11:43:00.000-08:00

Getting back into my scrapping mode required inspiration. I headed over to The Scrappiest blog to see Lizs' inspirational sketches. This is sketch #99...

This is my take on the sketch...using lot's of Echo Park goodies;)

This is one of my favorite pictures of my sis and I last year at the Bret Michaels/Rick Springfield concert. Most people don't think we look too much alike but in this picture I think we do...a little;) The smile. We have our Mom's smile (thank you Mom).

So I have always wanted to play along on The Scrappiest site and today they are having their 100th sketch celebration week. Head on over there for some inspiration.

Thanks for stopping by.

Creative Juices & Running

2011-01-23T10:08:00.000-08:00

One layout.....I started it last weekend and finished it ...finally. It's been slow getting the creative juices flowing but I'm working on it.   There as so many photo's from last year and I just want to get them down and documented. I'm all about the hidden journaling so I'm going to start adding envelopes to the back of my layouts with my written notes inside. That way I don't have to look at my handwriting;O

I went for a run this morning. I have a lot of hills where I live so I take advantage of them when I'm running but this morning it is super windy and it made it much harder. I think I may be a little sore tomorrow.    It was good....feels good to get out on a Sunday early morning listening to some tunes. My favorite running songs right now are....

Stronger - Kanye West
Little Bird - Annie Lennox
Mrs. Potters Lullaby - Counting Crows
Dynamite - Taio Cruz
Santeria - Sublime
What I Got - Sublime
Smokin - Boston
Purple Sky - Kid Rock

Trucker Anthem - Kid Rock
The Club Can't Handle Me Right Now - (artist...can't think of right now)
Hey Soul Sister - Train (love it!)

I'm always looking for new music since I have my ear phones in all day at work and then working out. I have to keep adding new stuff or I will lose my mind listening to the same stuff over and over.   Sometimes when my ear phones aren't in I still feel like they are:O

So on this Sunday I will craft as much as possible before heading out to Spencer's basketball game tonight.

Just when I thought he couldn't get any cuter.....I love the basketball uniform. Yup...I'm definitely becoming a Basektball Mom.

Enjoy your Sunday.

Be back soon:)

Saturday....my favorite day

2011-01-15T09:03:00.000-08:00

I hope to start blogging about creative ..good...stuff soon. I'm too busy lately to upload any recent pictures and I have nothing to show in the scrapbook "area". I'm hoping to get at least one page done this weekend. I'm so intimidated by it because I haven't scrapbooked in a long time. I just have to start and get the juices flowing.

It is 9:00 a.m. I've already been to my weekly weigh in (down 1.6 - 151.4 pounds:)), Winco for groceries and Trader Joes for some homemade pizza stuff;) Making pizzas tonight and finally watching The Social Network. Cannot wait to see it. So this morning I will do my usual Saturday cleaning and laundry before Spencer's basketball game. The first one last weekend was too much fun. I think I will be a good "Basketball Mom"....much better than baseball for me and Spence. He can't wait for his game.

Enjoy your weekend. Hoping to maybe see The Dillema tomorrow with two of my favorites...Vince Vaughn and Kevin James. It looks too funny and I can't remember the last movie I saw in the theatre was. I think it was Sex and the City 2. Yes...we are due for a funny movie:)

Be back soon.....xoxo

Back on Track

2011-01-09T11:12:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

Coming around to it slowly this year. Spencer needs to go back to school. Three weeks is way too long for winter break around here. Tomorrow things will go back to semi-normal because he is going back...yay!!!!

Speaking of going back....I went into Weight Watchers last week to sign up for their new program. I'm really loving it. More points and you don't have to count fruit:) I love that! So I'm getting back on track after a four pound weight gain during the holidays;O. I thought I had gained 10 but was glad to see it wasn't that bad. All worth it....good food, wine, friends & family...yup...definitiely worth it.

I'm going to start blogging my "stats" again (holds me accountable) and I'm ready to lose these last few pounds (more than a few).

12/31 - 157.8 (up four pounds from the last time I weighed in October)

1/7 - 153 (down 4.8)

So my goal is to be down to 140 in three to four months. Just in time for summer. 13 pounds doesn't seem like a lot but I think it is going to take a lot to get it off. I'm ready!!!! Starting my running program tomorrow and back to another round of P90X.

Hope to be back soon with some creativity. Thought I was going to knock out a couple pages this weekend but we had friends here for the weekend and spent some time with the family yesterday......today......I'm going to be lazy. I think the OWN channel is calling my name:)

Enjoy your weekend!!!!! Be back soon...

Happy Holidays!!

2010-12-24T10:04:00.000-08:00

Well I have been truly enjoying this holiday season....the time has flown. I'm looking forward to hosting my very first Christmas Eve with my family.

Just a few of my trees around the house to show....the main tree.....

This is the tree in the kitchen with a few of my mom's ornaments. I wanted to do a real tree in honor of her:)

And my little purple and pink "peace" tree in the office;) I would like to keep this up all year....

Enjoy your holiday and much love from my family to yours;)

xoxo

My Hero

2010-12-04T17:00:00.000-08:00

                                                                (My Mom and I...2006)

Today Spence and I were out running errands. It was the kind of morning that I really just wanted to stay in my pajamas and do absolutely nothing. But we had to get Spence signed up for basketball and then go find basketball shoes...school shoes and jeans. Should be a slam dunk..right? (get it?..basketball...ha!) Anyway, when you are shopping with the worlds pickiest nine year old it is not so easy. I remember the days when I just picked out what I wanted him to wear and he happily put it on... that was about 6 years ago. It was just one of those shopping trips that was not a lot of fun for either of us. He took his shoes off to try on a pair of shoes and his socks were really dirty. I looked down at his feet and gasped to myself so I had to say something to the salesgirl. I had to acknowledge that I didn't know anything about these dirty socks he had on his feet. I was embarrassed. I asked Spence where he got the socks from and he said "In my drawer". Oh my! Thank you Spencer....now I feel like the world's greatest Mother. I should of checked them before shoe shopping right?   After we left the store I gave him a little talk about actually putting his dirty stuff in the laundry hamper and not back in his drawer. This is a conversation we have about ten times a day but he just does not get the concept. I thought to myself as we were driving home....I sound like Mom. I absolutely sound like my Mom.

It made me smile.

This Tuesday will mark the one year anniversary of her death. It is still so hard for me to believe. She was a big part of my life and a great influence on me. She made everything....just....better.   If you knew her you were blessed. Ours was not a perfect relationship all the time but it was our relationship.

In honor of my Mom I wanted to share the Eulogy I wrote and Bill read on the day of her funeral....I just read it today for the first time since.

My mom. My hero.

When I was about 17 I went to the animal shelter one day and found a cute little black puppy. Knowing that I’m not really supposed to call my mom at work I proceeded to call her anyway. I told her about how cute the puppy was and asked “Oh please can I have it?” She said NO but I continued to beg. Finally she said - in a whisper through clenched teeth “Lori - DO NOT bring that dog home.”

Long story short I brought the dog home. Mom was not happy and she didn’t talk to me for about a week. I couldn’t take it anymore so one night I went into her room and sat down on her bed while she was watching T.V. and I said “Mom aren’t you ever going to talk to me again?” Her eyes were focused on the T.V. refusing to look at me as I just sat there waiting. Finally she cracked a little smile, gave me a nice little lecture and then of course, like always, she forgave me.

Our dog Rudy lived to be 17.

She did teach me the difference between right and wrong but let’s face it sometimes I forgot.

No matter what I did she was always by my side. She was a tough lady and I’m so very lucky to have had her in my corner for the past forty-two years. She has taught me to enjoy life and make the most of everyday. She would tell me “Lori - Don’t sweat the small stuff.”

She has given me the guidance to be a good mom. I will follow in her path and raise Spence exactly how she raised me. I’m so grateful that she was given this little man for eight years. Eight years to spoil him rotten and prepare him for life. Because of you Mom Spence is a kind and generous little boy.

Mom recently told me that I was a lot like her. There couldn’t be a greater compliment for me than that. I love her and will miss her more than I could ever put into writing. She is my hero in every way and I will promise to do the right thing and continue to make her- proud.

End.

In memory of a truly great woman. Patient, kind, understanding, loving, caring, beautiful, funny, intelligent and an absolutely STRONG woman. I love her and miss her in my life....so very much. If I could have anything in the world right now I would ask for just one more hug. Her hugs were the best.

(Mom and Spence...her face says it all)

Thank you for listening to me. I needed to let it out today.

Enjoy your weekend. I'll be back soon.

xoxo

Monday...

2010-11-29T10:51:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had a great holiday. Ours was truly enjoyable. Three days with our family....yes THREE! I'm feeling it today. It will take three days to work off the calories I consumed:O

Here are just a few pic's of what I'm most grateful for....

Bill (a.k.a. Master Chef)...probably the best turkey he has ever done.

Me and my little man...

Auntie Margie & cousin Amy

& of course my sister:)

More to share later.....

As for now, as you know, it is Cyber Monday. I thought I would include a link to my STORE.

Lot's of great deals this holiday season & free shipping today on EVERYTHING!!!

I'm off to enjoy a day home alone...with Daisy Dog. The boys are back to work and school. So much to do....

Happy Monday:)

xoxo

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-25T07:44:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Spencer made this turkey for his grandma. We are visiting the cemetery today and placing it in the flowers we leave for her. Last year on Thanksgiving my mom was in the hospital. Today...even though I'm missing her so much...I'm thankful she is no longer in pain and I'm so thankful, as always, to have had such an awesome woman to call my mom.

Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday full of love and happiness. So many things to be thankful for...

xoxo

Friday Favorites

2010-11-19T07:15:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you but I'm SO glad it is Friday. This has been an extra long week...I think I'm still recooperating from last weekend;O Looking forward to a rainy weekend in So Cal and some crafting...I need it. Also, very much, looking forward to the holiday week coming up. Bill & Spence are both on vacation starting tomorrow...me.....I'll have five houses to clean in three days and then I'm off for four. Yipee!!!!!! I'm sad I have to miss Spence's honor roll assembly today but Bill will be there. I hate missing out. Spence is also trying out for a play today. I'm really surprised that he wanted to but I'm really excited and nervous for him so I can't wait for 3:15 to be here to see how he did.

I have just a few Friday favorites from my shop......

Pretty jewelry......here
Again...my favorite lip gloss...still $2.99 ... STOCK up .....here
Lovely scent with matching bracelets.... here

Happy Shopping!!! Thanks for your orders. All orders will need to be placed on Wednesday, November 24th before the holiday.

Enjoy your weekend!!!!!

(Lori Massicot, AVON Ind. Sales Rep.)

Another year...

2010-11-16T19:06:00.000-08:00

Well here is to the start of another year. I'm marking this my "New Year" instead of in January. The past twelve months have just flown by. I think I spent a good part of them walking around in a fog. Missing my Mom. I kind of felt numb through most of it. But I can honestly say the smile on my face is back and it's real. I have a lot of love around me and I'm very thankful for that.

I had the most amazing weekend with my sister and friends. Oh yes, the boys were there for a little of it but it was mainly the girls. The girls I love so much.

Here are a few photo's..... We went to my hometown. Long Beach, California. It is only an hour away from where I live now. I miss it. We all miss it. Someday (soon?) maybe we will move back.

This is the small part of my weekend with Spence. Lunch with my sister and friends in Shoreline Village.

We couldn't of asked for better weather. It was beautiful.

Then the night out with the girls. Dinner, drinks, a little dancing, a LOT of laughs and many more memories made.

Sister and I.

My other sisters ....

The birthday girls....

Yummy dessert...

It was a great, fun, happy, happy night. It is amazing how long we've known each other and we can still laugh about the same silly things we did back in "the day" and still find so many things to talk about. I noticed the other night (maybe it's the age thing) our conversations have changed just a little. We talked about wrinkles and a little politics as well. (what?)

Anyway ... it was a great start to a New Year for me. I look forward to my 43rd year no matter what it holds. I will try my best to handle it with strength and happiness:O!!!!

I'll be back later this weekend with (hopefully) some craftiness. Our house is semi-decorated. I'm taking my time but the clutter that is lying around is about to drive me bananas......

Enjoy your week!!!!

Forty Three...

2010-11-12T17:38:00.000-08:00

(working on the blog...not liking it at this point)

We are starting to decorate for Christmas tonight. Wow! Did this past year fly by or is it just me? Yesterday I turned 43. Cannot even believe my 42nd year has come and gone so quickly. I was not in the mood for a birthday this year. I woke up and thought "Let's get this day over with"....but it turned out to be a good day.

We went to Red Robin for lunch with my sister. YUM!!! I had my favorite California Chicken sandwich...hold the mayo & the bacon:O and I had my fair share of french fries.

Spence took care of my birthday sundae. I felt like I was twelve years old....I hate when they sing Happy Birthday so I politely told my sister not to have them sing about fifty times but she didn't listen to me:O

And then we took a stroll around the mall to work off our lunch. It was a nice day. Then I came home to homemade taco's (what my mom used to make for me on my birthday) from Spence and Bill and Bill baked the biggest yellow cake I've ever seen with chocolate frosting. I had to pass it up.....just kidding. I had two pieces:( I woke up this morning and now feel like I've put on ten pounds just from yesterday.

It was worth it. I'm so thankful for my family and friends. They really helped me have a very special day. My phone was blowing up yesterday and I just have to say that I am one lucky girl. I felt the love yesterday that is for sure. Without my mom is wasn't the same but it was still good. I feel like I'm getting through each milestone without her. It is hard and it sucks so bad but we are all doing it.

Tonight we are decorating our Christmas tree. It sounded like a really good idea this morning but now I'm not so sure. Trying to get in the Christmas spirit. I need to get in the Christmas spirit. Spence is super excited. It's going so fast that I need to get in the game.

I will leave you with this picture that I found recently. Do you remember Bullocks? This was taken there...

I'm not sure which part of this picture I like the best. My blue leisure suit. My stylish hair cut. Or the creepy looking Santa. I guess I equally like them all:) I actually had my hair done the other night and my bangs are looking about the same as in the picture:)

O.K. I'm off... enjoy your weekend. Get an early start on your decorating so I don't feel so weird about it...would you?

xoxo

"Fun" Raising & Friday Favorites

2010-11-05T06:58:00.000-07:00

If you live in the area we are having a yard sale/bake sale Saturday November 6th from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 at Wildomar Elementary - 21575 Palomar Street, Wildomar.

Donations accepted from 6:00 to 7:00 a.m. Lot's of good stuff & yummy baked goods:) This is the first of many "fun" raising events for Spencer's DC trip in May. I'm saying fun now.....(ha!)

A few favorites from my AVON shop this morning....

-My absolute favorite lip gloss...on sale this campaign $2.99 (stock up!) Brown Sugar is my favorite:)
You can find them here

-My favorite slippers...I have a red pair that I've had for a few years. I love them because they are really comfy & you can wear them outside.

You can find them here
-And a truly great face cream....find it here

Free shipping on orders $30 and over:)
(Lori Massicot, AVON Ind. Sales Rep.)

Have a great weekend! I cannot wait to fall back:)

xoxo

Remembering...

2010-11-03T16:21:00.000-07:00

(my beautiful Mom)

The other day I was in Target browsing through the book section. I love doing that when I'm by myself. I came across a book - "100 Reasons Why A Daughter Needs A Mother". I don't think even a few months ago I would of had the courage to open it but on this day I felt like I wanted to read a little of it. Oddly enough I opened it on a page where a Mother and younger Daughter sat next to a grave and it said ("A Daughter needs a Mother") "To teach her that death is part of life." With everything my Mom taught me I realize, very unfortunately, that she taught me about death.

There is not a day or minute that goes by when I don't think about her. I cannot explain in words how it is to live my life without her. I just know in my heart that she is still with me. I have my believes. I have a beautiful picture of her heaven that has recently become very clear to me. I often find myself thinking "I wonder what she is doing right now". I picture her smiling and laughing and hanging out with her Mom and Dad and Brother. Her first love, my Dad, her friends that have gone before her. I think they are all in her heaven. I think about her when I'm feeling bad and hear her tell me "It will all work out"...."Life is what you make it" or one of my favorites "You can't help anyone who doesn't want to help themselves". She gave me a lot of support and one-liner's (ha!) and it always made me feel better. Now I have to do that for myself.

I went to her house today and I just kind of crumbled when I left. We are coming up on a year since she passed. November was a tough month last year and I'm starting to feel it...all over again. Next week I will celebrate my 43rd birthday and I'm kind of dreading it without her. Even though we celebrated the holidays last year after she passed I think this year will be a little tougher for all of us.

What can I say....she is missed. Truly, truly missed.

Thanks for listening to me today. I hope that I can share some really good stories and pictures of her in the month to come. It is my way of keeping her memory alive.

I will always feel very thankful and very blessed to have been given such a wonderful woman to call my Mom.

Mega Weekend...

2010-11-01T11:49:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe it's November 1st. We took down the Halloween decorations this morning and now I'm debating on how early I want to get the Christmas decorations up. The weather here is sunny and hot all week and I just don't want to decorate until it's at least 75 degrees ;O

We had a fast, fun and busy weekend and I think Spence and I are feeling it today. He stayed up way too late last night and was in quite a grumpy mood before school this morning. I cannot wait to hit the pillow tonight. But it was really worth it. Spence and I were invited by our friends to the Megamind Movie Premiere in Hollywood Saturday. So much fun! There was a carnival before with food, costumes and much more....

One of my favorites. Will Ferrell is just too funny and really good in the movie. Our seats in the Mann Chinese Theater were not too far from where he was sitting. So cool to watch a movie with the actors that are in it.

This is Brad Pitt's character but he wasn't at the premiere. It took awhile for the boy's to take a picture with this guy.

Melissa and Me and our attempt at a costume;O

Megamind goodie bags.

Spence was chosen to go up on a stage with 9 other kids and they all won Hollywood "swag" bags. Lot's of good stuff. Justin Bieber went backstage right before we did and it was complete mayhem backstage and both Spence and I were getting a little impatient. Spence thought they were going to make him dance or something and he was a little nervous. But they were only on stage for a second and then wisked away in time for Will Ferrell to come out. The little boy in the Einstein costume play's Luke on Modern Family. He was too cute! Justin Bieber looks like he is twelve. He caused quite a commotion with all the girls there. It was fun to watch. Jane Lynch (Sue Sylvester on Glee) was also there and we bumped into her quite a bit. She is tall and a lot thinner than she looks on t.v. ...maybe it's the track suits that make her look bigger.

Unfortunately I did not charge my camera battery and my camera stopped working right at this point:O I could of cried. I brought my Flip though. I recorded some of the good parts;)

And after the movie we strolled through and looked at some of the famous hand & foot prints. Hollywood......love it!

So much fun. Truly an experience I will never forget and only wished I had more pictures. Oh well......

Halloween night was also fun. Lot's and Lot's of Trick or Treating this year. Chili, munchies & desserts.....I'm feeling it today.

These two scored with the candy. I just have to keep it away from me now.

Spence and his Auntie.

Orange "To Go" cups....so festive;O

I cannot believe it is 11:45 and I have been super lazy this morning. What to do on a day off? I have a ton of things I could be doing but instead have got up on my Desperate Housewives and thinking I'm going to put a movie on and work on my ETSY shop in a bit. I have to get a TB test for our trip to DC but I'm debating on doing it today or later in the week.....might have to save that for later this week:O

I'll be back soon!!!

Enjoy your week! Happy first day of November.....bring on the Holiday's!!!

xoxo

Boy's will be Boy's

2010-10-28T16:11:00.000-07:00

This is a layout I worked on last weekend for American Crafts weekly challenge.

I was able to play with the City Park line that I won and I LOVE it! It works well with Boy's & Girl's. Who says you can't use a little pink on a boy's layout? Not me.

The "Fun Time's sticker, tiny alphabet letters & bright yellow paper from Cosmo Cricket that I used for the banner between the pictures are the only things on this layout that is NOT from American Crafts.

Paper, Stickers, Tags for banner & Thickers....all American Crafts.

Cute & simple...trying to get back on track with the scrapbooking. I've been super busy lately. I feel like I'm constantly running around and not sitting still long enough to create. Need to change that.

Looking forward to a busy, super fun weekend! Hope to have lot's of pictures to share.

Enjoy your Halloweeeeeeeeeeen.

xoxo

It's beginning to look a lot like.....

2010-10-26T07:28:00.000-07:00

craft central around my house this past weekend. Now it's back to work & it's a mess!

This is what Spence and I worked on....

If you're a child of the 70's (like me) did you ever make Baggie Wreath's?

My Mom, Sister & I used to make these. They are super easy and this one turned out really pretty.

What you need...

Wire hanger
Baggies, trash bags, dry cleaning bags
Decoration (up to you)

Instructions...

Shape wire hanger into a circle (doesn't have to be perfect)

On this one I used vanilla scented trash bags. I cut about 1 1/2 inch wide, 5 in long strips from bags.

Tie strips around wire hanger (double knot) and push strips up to the top of the hanger until full!

That's it!

Then I used poinsettia's from the Dollar Tree and hot glued them around the base. You can use your imagination. I'm making several and my next one is pink. With all of the new colored trash bags & scents you can make them really pretty. This one actually smells really good:)

I think it cost around $3.00. Spence & I are making a bunch & will try to sell them as a Fundraising event. Spence is going to Washington D.C. in May with his class. A very big trip and we need to raise some money. Well, Spence & I are going so I need to work extra hard!! His class is having many, many events coming up so hopefully we can get his ticket paid for....hopefully.

Speaking of.....gotta get to work.

Enjoy your day!!

xoxo

Friday Favorites

2010-10-22T07:50:00.000-07:00

I've been moving slower than normal this week. Yes, my legs are still kind of sore from that uphill run on Sunday. I'm actually looking forward to having a day off today. Taking Spence to school this morning & then hitting the treadmill to try and work it out.

Here are some of my favorites for this weekend from my AVON shop.

I talked about the nail polishes that are truly great. This campaign they come in a pack of three for $9.99.
Some really pretty colors...you can find them here

Great lasting lipsticks on sale for $3.99 ....find them here

And I'm loving this 24K eyeshadow quad..perfect for the holidays. find it here

And of course you need a 24K mascara to go with ...so pretty....find it here

That is it for today. Some really pretty "go togethers" for the holidays:) You can order online from anywhere. Affordable & fast delivery. If you spend more than $30.00 it is FREE shipping;)

Enjoy your weekend!!!!!

xoxo

Lori Massicot, AVON Ind. Sales Rep.

a Wonderful weekend....

2010-10-20T15:14:00.000-07:00

Well it's Wednesday and I'm just catching up from the weekend. It was a wonderful, wonderful weekend.

We spent the weekend with friends and family. We ate some good food. We shopped. We played. We ran.....

Yes, I completed my first 5K this weekend. The Race for the Cure on Sunday. A big crowd filled with lot's of pink and lot's of love and friendship and support! A truly great cause.

Not a lot of action shots of us running from the race but here are a few pics before and after.

One of my favorites before the race. Bill warming up. He's kind of 1/2 being silly and 1/2 being serious;)

Sis & I.

Anne & I.

Anne & her adorable son Michael. aka Bunny Rabbit:) ..I nicknamed him that after he ran it in 22 minutes.

My pals Melissa & Sandi. We ran together & crossed the finish line holding hands. I could not of done it without them.

Most importantly our cheering section. Spencer made this sign that says "Carol" in honor of my Mom. The team was named after her. They each held a letter & we wrote messages on the back. He got me going with tears that morning reading what he wrote. Spence, I know, misses his grandma and this was his way of being a part of it.

And this is the after shot ....

Melissa, Sandi & myself ran it in 37:15. We got an extra slow start trying to weed through the thousands of people that ran in it. Not saying it as an excuse but it took a few minutes to get our stride and then it was all up hill from there....literally & unfortunately it was a steady incline for about 1/2 the race. My legs are just feeling better today.

We did it!!!! Yay!!!! It was just a great feeling crossing that finish line holding hands with my friends. I can see how people get addicted to this running thing.

I have to say I'm so thankful for my friends that came out to stay the weekend & my friends Sandi & Anne who got up at 4:30 in the morning to join us in the run. My father-in-law was up & with us at the crack of dawn and came out to show his support. I will always remember this day as one of pure joy & accomplishment and I just love them all. I don't know if I'll ever run in a full marathon but I've got my sights on my next 5K and then a 10K and maybe some day a 1/2 marathon??? You never know.

Wow!! it's really raining here right now. I absolutely love it!!!

Enjoy your Wednesday...thanks for looking:)

xoxo

Happy Birthday....

2010-10-14T07:29:00.000-07:00

I have to give Bill a Happy Birthday shout out (did I just say "shout out"?)...yes, it is his birthday today. And for the next, almost, month we are the same age:)

He is my best friend and I love him. He is the best dad to Spence and I love even more for that. He takes care of Daisy and he works hard. If you knew him you'd love him too:)

Celebrating tonight with my famous chicken enchilada's & Spencer's cupcakes and then this weekend we are spending the weekend with friends & family. He gets to golf on Saturday for the first time in a LONG time....he is looking forward to it but I think he may be a bit nervous about it (between you & I) and then he is running the 5K on Sunday for our team in the Susan G. Komen Race for a Cure.

Busy weekend...should be lot's of fun!!!!!

Happy Birthday Baby!!!

One....

2010-10-10T16:44:00.000-07:00

Only one layout this weekend.....trying to get back into the creative flow. My Friends 4ever. We grew up together so the "4ever" part reminds me of when we were kids. Do kids still say that? Or is it BFF's forever? (ha! ) Oh my - I'm getting old. Anyway just a simple one from our night in Del Mar. I used some of my new American Crafts...loving it!

I'm really going to try my best to scrapbook this week. I'm really behind. I'm just really busy with work (which is a good thing - so not complaining) but I'm pooped by the end of the day and really my reality t.v. schedule gets in the way of any creativity (must stop watching BRAVO - yeah right) I really, really want to get my little Etsy shop opened soon. This has been a year in the making and I really don't have much to show for it. I will persevere.....

One of my goals this week is to get up early & go to the gym before work. That is my goal...6:00 a.m. I mean I'm awake why not get up and go to the gym? Easier said than done. I've got to hand it to my husband because he is up and at the gym at 5:00 a.m. about 3-4 days during the week. I'm a morning person so I should be able to do it. Right? We shall see.

O.K. Sunday evening awaits. I just heard Bill yell from the garage so I think the Chargers must of just lost:O Time to make dinner. Scary movie night tonight:)

Be back soon!!!

xoxo

Friday Favorites

2010-10-08T07:45:00.000-07:00

Just in time for some weekend shopping.

Great deals in the new Campaign this week.

I have been wearing Mineral Makeup since 2001. I tried this mineral makeup a couple of years ago and I couldn't believe how well it covered all of my imperfections;O And at a fraction of the cost.

You can find this weeks Mineral Makeup deal here

And I love different colored nail polishes lately. This summer I've been sporting some blue toes. This nail polish stays on and doesn't chip;) YAY!!! I love the Matte Violetta.....

You can find this weeks nail polish deal here

And last but not least.....

Cute little lip balms here

Cute little holiday hand creams (my favorite is the Silicone glove) here

perfect for stocking stuffer's;)

Free shipping with orders of $30.00 or more. If you live in my area....I deliver;)

Enjoy!!

Be back Monday:)

Happy weekend!!!!!!!!

xoxo

Lori Massicot Ind. Sales Rep.

Creative Juices...

2010-10-07T12:46:00.000-07:00

Lately my creative juices have been nonexistent. I have tried several times to scrapbook and just can't seem to get in the flow of it. Blah!

Yesterday afternoon Spence was doing his homework and I was contemplating doing something creative. But I needed a break and realized I had Martha on Oprah from the day before still to watch. Daisy Dog and I snuggled in "our" chair and listened to Martha talk about her life. I just love her. I loved her on Oprah because she seemed to loosen up a bit. I loved the way she talked about her "jobs" she did in jail. She scrubbed the place clean and she enjoyed it. She said something that I truly believe in..."If you have a job do it well". It is so true. No matter how much you like it or not if someone is paying you for it then do it to the best of your ability.

Anyway...(got off place for a minute) Oprah was talking about the craft industry and asked if there are any crafters out there. I raised my hand. Then I thought when is that last time I made anything crafty? Why is it so hard sometimes to actually put it out there? Well at about the time I was done with Oprah I hear a loud knock on my door. Seriously I think my UPS man was pissed yesterday. It scared me! I open the door and find my lovely package from American Crafts.

A few weeks ago my layout was chosen for their weekly challenge.

"About Me Now" you can see it here.

I was so excited because I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE me some American Crafts. It was like Christmas morning....

It is from their City Park line. So cute!

My pictures really do not do it justice. I took these this morning before work. Horrible lighting. If you see at the bottom of the picture my foot (I'm standing on a chair) and then right above it. Do you see that little paw? Too cute! Daisy is always by my side.

Anyway.....I love paper. There is so much of it and because it's double sided it makes it that much better!

So I feel the juices flowing a litle. I have to organize a little and then I think I will be back at it this weekend. So many pictures to upload and print....my least favorite part.....but I will do it!!!

Hope to be back with some creativity soon. Now I'm debating on going to the gym before I get Spence or taking a nap........

Enjoy your day!

xoxo

Choo Choo......

2010-10-04T07:41:00.000-07:00

Had a GREAT time at the Train concert Saturday night.

A few shots from the night....

The sisters......we have been friends a LONG time.

I think my sister had a wonderful time. There were a lot of laughs.

Train was fantastic! Truly a great performance.

I LOVED it!!!

Happy Monday....off to work....back to reality.....so, so tired.

xoxo

Hey Soul Sista.......

2010-10-01T16:33:00.000-07:00

Hey Soul Sister
Ain't that Mister, Mister
On the radio, stereo
the way you move ain't fair you know.....

I have been singing this song for a week now. Having girls night out tomorrow going to see Train.

In honor of my soul sista's birthday tomorrow.

Should be a really fun night. Looking forward to it. I want it to be extra special because this is a hard birthday for her. She misses my mom so much and I know her birthday will be different without the extra special love my mom gave her on her day. I know it won't be the same but we are all going to help her celebrate and have a good time!!!!

This is the year of the concert for me. One of my favorite things to do. Now if only the Counting Crows would play....that would make my year!

Enjoy your weekend!!!

xoxo

Monday Favorites

2010-09-27T17:07:00.000-07:00

Here are a few of my favorites that are a great deal this week from my shop.

-My absolute favorite eye cream here . You get the full size eye cream in the starter set. It is a GREAT value for $25.00.
-Eye and lip pencils - so affordable here
-Super cute fall lip balms - great price! here
-An all time favorite Body Oil - double up & save here

Order by 9/30 for free shipping. Enter FIRSTREP at checkout.

Thanks for your orders:)

Happy shopping!!!
Lori Massicot, AVON Ind. Sales Rep.

Before & During........

2010-09-24T17:31:00.000-07:00

This is me 30+ pounds ago ...

I know it's scary. Look at my hands they are so tense. I'm sure I was saying "hurry up and take the *&%^@@ picture".   I was unhappy with myself.

This picture was taken last year. January 4th 2009 to be exact. This was the day we were taking my Mom to see Neil Diamond. It was her Christmas present. Notice the shirt I'm wearing "It's About Time". This was from one of my favorite scrapbook stores in the area that has closed down (of course). Anyway I thought it was appropriate. On this day I was done!   It was about time. Done with being uncomfortable. Done with not being able to fit into my clothes. Even the big ones. I was just done.   And looking back now I realize how horrible I felt that night and how we never took any pictures of us at the concert. My Mom's favorite. How silly is that?

Back on this day I wanted to lose 30 pounds no matter how long it took. That was my goal. So flash forward to today. I've been doing this whole Clean Eating plan. I've cut out a lot from my diet but I realized when I started that my diet was fairly "clean". It wasn't like I was eating fast food & junk 24/7. But lately I have felt stuck. I'm running. I ran 3 miles this morning in just under 35 minutes. It's not fast but I'm working on it. I'm eating pretty well. But there are two weeks out of the month that I feel like I could eat all day long and I would still be hungry. I try to control that of course but it's hard. It sucks! I miss my P90X. It helped me but since I started going back to the gym I've given up on it. I need to incorporate it back into my plan this next week.

The reason that I'm posting this today is because I've been kind of beating myself up lately.   I should be thinner. I should be losing faster. That kind of thing. I have people in my life that I see all the time who have never once said anything about me losing weight.   So I think "Really?" does thirty pounds not show. I can talk myself into the fact that it doesn't even make a difference in how I look very easily.

I had Spence (aka my photog) take this picture today...

We will call this my "during" shot. Better than the first I must admit but I can look at this picture and find at least five things that I cringe about. But I'm putting it out there.

(Sorry neither of these photo's have any makeup involved in them)

I needed to do a check for myself. Put it out there because the whole blogging about it really does help me stay focused. I think I started to get a little lax this month. We are heading into something I have been dreading and it has caused some stress these past few weeks. My exercise routine has suffered because of it and that to me just isn't acceptable anymore. There are no excuses because it's something I do that makes me feel better and I need it. I honestly don't know how I did what I do everyday 30 pounds ago. Without exercise I would be hurting.

So I'm starting fresh (again). Getting back into P90X a little more and still running. We are running in a 5K in October in honor of my Mom and I want to run not walk.

I will get back on track because ---

-I never want to look like that first picture again.
-I want to fit into size 8 jeans.
-I want to be healthy (most importantly - it could of went before the jeans - but..)

O.K. .. better. My before picture that I thought no one would ever see....it's out there. I will save you the horror of the one I have in my bathing suit. Way too scary for this blog.

If you're still reading this...thanks!

This weekend I'm getting my hair done tomorrow....being crafty......spending time with family......RELAXING. Oh and exercising:)

Enjoy your weekend!!!! Remember to shop my AVON store. Click on the link to the right. Lot's of great deals this weekend:O

xoxo

Insert "after" shot here....someday

Today....

2010-09-23T07:44:00.000-07:00

A few months ago I was waiting in a lobby waiting to get a second mammogram and an ultrasound because my first mammogram came back with an area they wanted to "look at" again. I was a nervous wreck to say the least. So I started thumbing through an AVON brochure that was there in the lobby. I sold AVON a couple years ago. Not very well. I think I listened to a lot of negativity around me about how hard it was and everyone sells it so you shouldn't.   I just hate that I let it effect me. I use their products and I really liked doing it so why did I give up? Anyway as I was looking through the brochure and waiting I said to myself "If everything is o.k. with this appointment I'm going to sell it again" along with all the other things I was going to do. When you're faced with a medical problem you just start praying and thinking of everything you should of been doing and everything you still want to do. Right? You take on a whole new prospective. So far I've been trying really hard to accomplish much more in my life and I know I have a different attitude towards how I face challenges and negativity. I'm over the negativity.

Everything was fine with my tests that day. They actually told me that day instead of making me wait another week. I have to go back in January for a six month follow up and then I'll be back yearly.   That January appointment is in the back of my head everyday and I'm hopeful that everything will be fine.   So after that appointment I started to make a list of everything that I do want to do in my life and things that I've been scared to try. There is alot!

One of the first things I've accomplised is signing up for AVON again as an Independent Sales Rep.   This week is my grand opening. So many great products. Affordable and top quality.

I'm going to link the store on my blog because I cannot do much more for advertising here due to Trademarks, copyrights, etc.

So here it is....

Go here

If you live in the area I will personally deliver your products to you. If not you can shop online and enter FIRSTREP at checkout and get free delivery!!!!

Thanks for taking the time to read this post.

Do something positive today and don't let any negativity into your life!

XOXO

Happy Fall...

2010-09-22T16:36:00.000-07:00

Such a beautiful day in Southern California. I will enjoy it for a couple more days. This weekend is supposed to be 104 again....yuck!

(photo courtesy of photobucket)

I've been waiting patiently for fall to come. I'm glad it is finally here.

Be back soon. Busy. Busy. Busy....

xoxox

About Me Now

2010-09-16T07:58:00.000-07:00

This is a layout I did for the weekly American Crafts challenge. It's the only challenge I participate in lately because I love all things American Crafts. Normally I would shy away from this one because it's "about me" but I decided to give it a go. One thing I realized when my mom passed away and I was working on the DVD we played at her service is that I do not have many photo's of myself;O Everyone who knows me knows that I am camera shy. This year however I have been trying to be in front of the camera a lot more than behind it and share the pictures (good and bad -- see below).

(you can click on it for a bigger view)

Supplies used -

AC Blue skies (peaceful easy feeling)

Bazzill white cardstock

AC Letterbox ( Truly Yours)

AC Blue skies (pocketful of sunshine)

AC Dear Lizzy fabric paper

AC Thickers

May Arts ribbon

Melody Ross chipboard

Pink Paisley Artisan ribbon

and some feathers;)

The picture was snapped when my sister and I went to see Bret Michaels & Rick Springfield this summer. I looked at this picture and realized you could see my bra. I said to my sister "you could of told me my bra was hanging out" ... she assured me that I wasn't walking around like this all night.....thanks sis!

I'm off ....Thursday....cannot wait until Friday;)

Enjoy your day!!!!

xoxo

1st Day

2010-09-09T15:47:00.000-07:00

A layout I did for this weeks American Crafts challenge. I love these photo's of Spence on the first day of school. Our traditional photo shoot with his new clothes & backpack.

Supplies used...

Blue bazzill cardstock
AC Heat Wave
AC Orange & White polka dot paper (stars)
AC Remarks mumbo jumbos letters
AC Remarks cardstock stickers
AC Flair:O
October Afternoon journal cards (Report Card)
I heart school stamp (Big Lots find:)

Simple and quick....off to try and squeeze in a workout. Stressful week. Do not want to exercise today.:(

Enjoy your day!!!

xoxo

Wednesday

2010-09-08T11:20:00.000-07:00

No clever title today.

I realized I haven't blogged in awhile so I thought I would throw something out there in blog land.

Just Wednesday.

At home today with my Daisy. Inside my house and wearing a sweatshirt. The weather has taken a drastic change here. Last week I was miserable in the heat and today I'm fafafa....freezing. Good day to be home crafting. Watching reruns of The Big C. If you have Showtime check this show out. Laura Linney is amazing in it.

Here are a few photo's from my week last week.

Got to visit the Del Mar race track with some of my girls and had a great time!

We've been friends for a very, very long time and I always love it when I get to spend time with them. They are part of my family.

Went to see The English Beat in concert and spent the night. I absolutely love this area and would love to live in San Diego some day.

Working on some layouts and hope to be back tomorrow to share;)

Enjoy your Wednesday.

xoxo

Happy Monday!

2010-08-30T13:18:00.000-07:00

I hope you had a nice weekend. We have such beautiful weather here right now I just love it. No need for a/c this weekend but I managed to wake up this morning with a blazing earache. Hoping it goes away soon.

Loved the Emmy's last night. I loved that Modern Family won and, if you watched, the segment that Modern Family did with George Clooney was hilarious. I think Jimmy Fallon did a really good job. Bill even watched the whole thing with us. I was just really hoping Steve Carrell would win. I just love him. Truth is I watch one episode of The Office daily. To think of him leaving makes me really sad. I think just looking at Steve Carrell makes me smile;) Bill and I went to see Dinner for Schmucks a couple weeks ago and it was pretty funny too:)

So Spence and I worked on some homemade ghosts yesterday that we're going to hang from our chandelier come the first day of fall....early Halloween decorations - can't wait. But unfortunately I did not snap a photo of them....

but I have one layout that I did last week for the dares . The dare was Currents - listening-eating-drinking-wearing-feeling-weather-wanting-needing-thinking-enjoying-wondering.

here is mine

Kind of light and airy;)

On this day (8/26) these were my currents:

Listening: to Scream 2 on T.V.
Eating: Kashing crackers and cottage cheese
Drinking: Water
Wearing: tank top, yoga pants, slippers
Feeling: a little tired but optimistic
Weather: 108 and humid, YUCK!
Wanting: Fall to come fast
Needing: my mom
Thinking: things would be a lot easier if we could win the lotto
Enjoying: watching Daisy nap & snore
Wondering: if things happen for a reason then what are the reasons?

It was one of "those" days and a good day to document how I was feeling.

O.K. I'm off. Lot's to do before I get the kid from school. His teacher is starting to post the class on UStream so I've been watching it this morning. Too addiciting. It's like I get to go to school with Spence. Just don't tell him I'm watching.....it's a secret.

xoxo

Sunday....

2010-08-29T11:02:00.001-07:00

Martha Washington. One of my favorite quotes. (remind myself of it often:)

(photo source )

xoxo

Family Camping Trip

2010-08-26T07:51:00.000-07:00

This was a challenge for me since I have only been doing one page layouts. I did the two page layout challenge for American Crafts this week. Our family camping trip this summer was a perfect subject since I have a ton of picture:)

(you can click on it for a better view)

I can't remember the last time I did a two pager.

Supplies used:

Bazzill white cardstock
American Crafts Heat Wave - Maverick Mango and Pretty Papaya
American Crafts Moda Bella - Pretty
Thickers (of course)
Cosmo Cricket tiny alphabet letters
Bakers Twine

I'm going to challenge myself to do some more of these since I have a lot of pictures from summer adventures to document.

Enjoy your day!

It is hot, hot, hot here:O

xoxo

It's been five months...

2010-08-23T11:33:00.000-07:00

Since I stepped foot in my gym. This morning I went back and was reaquainted with my old friend...

(these are not my feet)
The treadmill.

I got on and entered my weight. The lowest weight I have ever entered on the treadmill since I can remember. I used to lie to the treadmill and now I don't have to anymore;)

3.5 miles in 40 minutes and that included my three minute walking warm up. Trying to pick up my pace slowly but surely.

I'm going to run 4 days a week and still do my P90X on the other days. This morning I saw a Trainer training a girl and she was doing squats sitting all the way down on one step and back up. I tried it when I got home and decided to use my coffee table as my guide for now...not quite as low.

Home today with a hundred things on my list. Let's see how much I can accomplish before the boys get home.

Be back soon!

xoxox

For the Love of Lists

2010-08-21T09:06:00.000-07:00

Since I haven't posted anything all week (kind of a tough week) I thought I would share one of Spencer's lists that I found this morning. He is inheriting my love for list making....

Him and Bill are going to their 2nd Annual Camp Out night with my cousin and his son tonight. They go to a Storm game and then camp out in the stadium. I just laughed when I saw this list. I love how he categorized everything and under Tailgate he included Beers. Those of course are for Bill:O

Now he just saw that I'm putting this on the blog and is concerned for his misspelled words........he is too much! (in a great way)

I just thought I would share. I have an evening alone - just me and my daisy girl. what to do - what to do??? RELAX:) and catch up on some serious reality t.v. Anyone watching Flipping Out? It is my absolute favorite!!!!!

Enjoy your weekend!!!

xoxo

Week One - Running by the lake

2010-08-15T10:56:00.000-07:00

This morning we started our running program. We have a 5K we are doing in October so I printed out a five week training schedule from active.com.

This week is...

Day One 1.5 miles
Day Three 1.5 miles
Day Five 2.0 miles

(no - we did not mean to dress alike)

Bill and I finished 1 1/2 with no problems (not sure of the exact time) he likes to get ahead of me and since his legs are longer I wasn't going to try and catch up this morning. I think I would of ran faster if it wasn't for the champagne & pizza I had last night (a great combo by the way). But I powered through and Bill was cheering me on at the finish line;)

It was a beautiful morning. We even talked Deb into coming (she had champagne & pizza last night too).

and of course her partner was Spence.

It is really pretty down by the lake but it was starting to heat up at 9:00 by the time we were done so I was glad we got an early start. 1.5 miles of running and then 1.5 miles walking back & throwing rocks into the lake:)

Enjoy the rest of your weekend! Hoping to be back tomorrow with some weekend creativity:)

xoxo

a little CREATIVITY

2010-08-12T09:11:00.000-07:00

I did this layout yesterday. I'm rusty. I really tried hard not to reach for my butterfly punch but this is based off of a sketch from yourscrapbookstash.com and it had some butterflies so I had to do it!

Kind of poor lighting on my porch this morning;O

I'm getting used to this later schedule with Spence and I don't work today until 10:30 today so I have a whole lot of time on my hands in the morning. I'm more of a get up and go person...oh well adjustments!

Be back with more soon!!!

xoxo

First Day of School

2010-08-11T11:19:00.000-07:00

Inhale....................................exhale.............................aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Up bright and early this morning to get the kid off to his first day of fourth grade. However the school times changed this year and he doesn't start until 9 instead of 8 which, for the first day, kind of threw me a little. I felt like I had so much accomplished by the time we left that by the time I got home I kind of don't know what to do with myself;) I have to say I love it! No work today just time to get back into the creative mode that I have been missing these past couple of months.

Anyway...Spence did not really share my enthusiasm this morning but I think by the time he got to school and saw his friends he is excited to be back. (kind of) I would say he has had a really good summer filled with lot's and lot's of things to do and he didn't really have any "down" time. He was ready. I was definitely ready.

Here are some photo's from this morning.....

It is tradition he wears a cute plaid button down shirt on the first day of school. And then the rest of year I don't care so much;) He is just too cute. His new vans were already dirty by the time we got to his class because, in true Spencer fashion, needed to run through a big dirt/dust pile. Oh man!

This is his classroom. He wouldn't let me take any pictures of him by it this year so I snuck a photo of the room.

Pretty nice. His teacher this year for GATE is younger and really nice. I can tell I'm going to like him. The couches - nice touch. We're going to get to Back to School Night next week early so I can plant myself on one of them;)

I'm ready for this to be a good year for him. Challenging but I know he can handle it.

This year will be better than last.....

So once I get used to the new schedule and rearrange my work schedule I'll be back to business. I'm trying to adjust my eating to everything clean. Last week I had an OOPS! I think I ate more carbs and drank more chardonnay then I have in a long time. Good timing since last week my week to start this but I had a great time.

I hung out with my friends...

I love these girls.

Then we hit another concert. It was an "intimate" evening with Rob Thomas.

He is just too good!

He is my sisters favorite and she got us some awesome seats. Perfect night. Good music and storytelling and of course...chardonnay.

I'm off to get productive around here. I'm hoping to make something today. Just any little creative thing would be good!

xoxo

Enjoy your week!

a New plan

2010-08-03T08:03:00.000-07:00

In the last couple of weeks I've been reading The Eat-Clean Diet . Really, really reading it. Trying to understand the portions that I need, complex carbs & proteins that are good for me and really looking at my current diet and seeing all of the things I need to eliminate. I've done well with the Weight Watchers system and I do really like it but I don't want to count points anymore. I want to just eat really good food that is good for me and make it a lifestyle change.

Here is what I want for myself....

-More energy
-no jiggly parts
-More energy
-lose 15 to 20 pounds
-More energy
-better skin
-More energy
-a tone & strong body
-More energy
-better sleep

As you can see what I really, really want more than anything is to feel better & have a lot more energy. I recently had some blood work done ( alot of blood work) and I thought for sure something would come back to tell me why I'm tired all the time. Nothing did. Everything was normal including my Thyroid. That is what I had self-diagnosed my problem to be. A Thyroid condition. But I was wrong. I told my doctor of how I've recently lost weight, exercise almost everyday and really try to eat healthy but yet I'm still tired. She asked me "How do you sleep at night?" I replied "Oh....well........I don't really sleep that well at night". But I've never been good at sleeping I just never really noticed the lack of energy I have now even after a restless night a few years ago.

So I am chalking it up to my diet and maybe the fact that I am getting older and I need a stronger exercise routine with more consistency & dedication. A goal. My life is a constant "Eat This - Not That" so I think I can make the changes The Eat-Clean Diet goes by and feel a lot better. My workout routine will be a combination of strength training and running. Running is something that I've always wanted to do and really like doing. I can't stick to something if I don't like it. I have friends who run and they really inspire me so I'm going to finally focus on the training and the principles of running.

If you have read The Eat-Clean Diet you know it's not a "diet" it's just a way of life. I don't prescribe well to gimmicks especially at this point in my life. I want something that will make me stronger and help me get through the rest of my life. Especially after my doctor told me "You're not at menopause yet. But you're on your way." Wow! I need to prepare.

These are the priniples of The Eat-Clean Diet...

-Eat more - six small meals a day
-Eat breakfast within one hour of rising
-Eat a combination of lean proten & complex carbs at every meal
-Eat two to three servings of healthy fat each day
-Carry a cooler packed with Clean foods each day
-Depend on fresh fruits & vegetables for fiber, vitamins, nutrients & enzymes
-Adhere to proper portion sizes
-Drink water, water, water, water...........

So that is the new plan. I'll be updating the blog with my progress and other things related to this program. I'm really excited & curious to see if it will help with my lack of energy and really help me sleep better at night.

I'll be back later this week.

Looking forward to spending this week visiting with some of my girlfriends.

Enjoy your week!!

xoxox

a Good weekend

2010-08-02T07:19:00.000-07:00

We had such a fun time at the concert Saturday. Both Rick Springfield and Bret Michaels put on a GREAT show. We spent some time by the pool (the bar by the pool) before we went to our room to get ready.

Enjoyed some champagne and the beautiful weather.

A great place to see entertainment. The stage was right outside by the pool so we were able & lucky enough to run into Mr. Springfield doing his sound check.

I mean come on. Is he cute or what? Sixty years old and he just rocks it! He is pretty funny too!

Here are the rest of the photo's. Bret came out first.

Man, oh man! I have such an urge to watch all three seasons of Rock of Love again. I just love this guy. He is so cute. His voice is just awesome. And to me he seems like a really nice guy. And he can move that is for sure!

and then Rick came out.

I didn't get as many photo's of him as I wanted and a lot of pictures were blurry. It was hard once everyone was standing up and my heels kept sinking into the grass. He has this thing where he walks on the back of the chairs in the audience so he was right in front of us. He did it the last time I saw him too and I was just hoping he was going to fall on me:) ha ha;;;;;;;

All in all it was a GOOD weekend. There is nothing better than sitting outside drinking chardonnay listening to really great music and watching great entertainment on a beautiful summer night.

I'll be back tomorrow with my new eating plan I'm starting today. I was going to share some of it today but I've got to get busy around here....cleaning & school shopping today. Spence is starting to get a little bummed he has to go back to school next week but I think I'm ready;)

Happy Monday! Enjoy your day!

xoxo

Concert Saturday

2010-07-31T07:12:00.000-07:00

I have been waiting for this day to come and it is finally here! My sister and I are staying at Pala Casino tonight to see.......

an old friend

and a new friend

I'm so happy they are playing together. I cannot wait!!!

My last concert I went to was Rick Springfield. Picture here .

It was a memorable weekend. I think that weekend was especially given to us from God. I truly believe that. It was the last time I remember my Mom feeling really good. I will never forget it and it's like I have Rick Springfield to thank. Sounds funny. But that is how I feel. We all really like him and to see him tonight will bring back memories of that weekend. There may be some tears but I think Debbie and I are mostly looking forward to having fun and relaxing and sharing thoughts about Mom along the way.

I know she is smiling down on us today and glad we are going. I think she would of loved Bret Michaels too:) Who doesn't...right?

I'll be back on Monday with hopefully some photo's to share and my new plan to lose the last 15 and be healthy. Looking forward to it.

Enjoy your weekend!!!!!

xoxox

http://lorikins.blogspot.com/2009/10/finally.html

A fresh start

2010-07-28T16:05:00.000-07:00

I had to change my blog around a little and give it some pizazz. Totally loving these colors right now.

I need to get back into blogging. I'm in the middle of reorganizing my life (wink, wink) actually I'm in the middle of cleaning out closets & drawers and storing things and getting ready to take Spence school shopping next week. He has grown out of everything much to my dismay.

I thought I would share a few pictures from our first annual family camping trip. It was fun, fun, fun! A lot of great memories were made & even though I didn't sleep much...... in a tent, on an air mattress with the sounds of coyotes howling in the background & Spence & Bill making their night time noises I have to say that I needed to be with my family and share some laughter. It felt good! Two days later and I'm finally coming around. I've been wiped out these past couple of days. It's like I just woke up and realized it was already Wednesday;0

Here are some photo's.....

I have a wonderful family. I must say we are all pretty silly and like to laugh..... alot!

Back to cleaning Spencer's room.

Enjoy your day!!!!

xoxox

Meet Magoo

2010-07-21T14:45:00.000-07:00

Jr. Magoo that is. I had tears in my eyes when he tried these glasses on the other day. His first pair. He just looks way too grown up. He is following in my footsteps with the bad eyesight. He loves them and I hope he will still love them when he has to wear them in class. We both got new glasses on Friday and went to a movie on Saturday and he couldn't believe the difference (Letters to Juliet - loved it!). I had to snap a photo.

He went to camp at the church last week. It was at night and he had a lot of fun! This is him at closing ceremonies enjoying an ice cream sundae;)

We've been so busy around here I haven't been much into blogging. Three weeks from today he will be back in school and hopefully things will go back to normal. Bill and I are missing him this week because he is spending the week with my mother-in-law. He is having a ball!

He'll be back on Friday and we are off to enjoy our 1st annual family camping trip. Yes - two nights in a tent. I wonder how I will sleep.... oh my! I'm looking forward to spending time with my family and just relaxing. Should be a fun time.

Be back next week with some creativity. I'm feeling the creative juices starting to flow. Spending this afternoon cleaning out my scrapbook room & organizing... for the 100th time.

Enjoy your days of summer!!!!

xoxo

PS - I've only lost another pound since my last WW update. 154. I'm maintaining and then I'm ready to start a new work out and plan August 2nd in order to lose the last 15 pounds......updates to follow.

Checking In....

2010-07-16T09:12:00.000-07:00

Just thought I would check in. It's been awhile. Just enjoying Spencer's summer vacation with him. I'm on countdown for the new school year which is August 11th. Wow! less than a month away. It goes fast.

We are getting in some beach time this weekend. The weather around here has been crazy. Yesterday we had thunder & lightening and just a downpour of rain out of nowhere. I thought our little house was going to lift off. One of Spencer's rafts that he had in the backyard ended up in our neighbors front yard....crazy.

O.K. sorry so boring...not much to share. I'm putting myself though some overdue doctor's visits this week. I find the waiting for test results absolutely nerve wracking:O I've already went for blood tests this morning and now Spence and I are going to get our eyes checked;) and hopefully some new glasses for me.

I hope everyone is having a great summer. I hope to be back with some creative stuff very soon.

(our trip to the Wild Animal Park last week)

Be back soon!!!

xoxo

Red, White & Blue

2010-07-05T10:50:00.000-07:00

Had a great Fourth of July - hope everyone did. Enjoying a very relaxing (lazy) day at home with the boys....here are some
photo's for share.

We had a nice day. Lot's of laughs and some tears. We definitely missed Mom yesterday. It was bitter sweet.

I love my family and I'm so lucky to have them.

Enjoy the day!

xoxo

It's Official.....

2010-07-03T09:44:00.000-07:00

Well I said no matter how long it took I would lose 30 pounds. That was January 2009 as of today I have officially lost 30 pounds plus another two! Yay!!!!!

Weigh in today....

155.0

I have stuck with it through the .5 loss weeks when it is just so frustrating because I know no matter how long it takes I will get there. And I also know there are about two weeks out of the month where it is just not good for me to weigh myself so I'm not going to. Instead of going to meetings I'm going to do it at home and weigh myself on my own Weight Watchers scale while still following the plan. I'm so committed to writing everything down that I eat and it helps so much. I just bought a new 3 month journal this morning after completing my first three months. That has never happened.

Today I feel proud of myself......
also I feel sick. I have a nasty cold going on right now. I can't even remember the last time I had a sore throat and a cold. It has been years. The last couple of nights have kicked my butt with trying to find some comfort to sleep. I hate that. Today Bill and Spence are leaving to spend the night at my cousins and I will join them there tomorrow for the party. A night to myself. So looking forward to it. And Spence is so excited to hang out with his cousins and camp out in the backyard.

They made this at his summer program the other day. Too cute!

Happy Fourth of July. Be safe and enjoy your weekend!!!

Until next week...

xoxo

Hot Wednesday

2010-06-30T12:57:00.000-07:00

Spence and I just took the little dog for a walk and it is HOT outside. I wasn't expecting that today because it has been way too nice. Spencer is having a pajama day today so I thought I would interrupt it with a little exercise. Now we are back in the a/c and the doggie is cooling down.

I did this layout this morning. I feel so much more inspired in the morning then at night.

from this sketch I showed on Monday.

I just really liked it! Fun and quick.

and here is a little sneek peak of a card I did for my shop.

Trying to stay busy today. The days that I'm home are the hardest because I feel like munching and I'm trying to do really low points today and I'm STARVING. Spencer just ate a sandwich and some baked bbq chips (my favorite). I almost asked for one but you can't just stop at one ....right?

Be back later.......

xoxo

Inspiration Monday

2010-06-28T16:36:00.000-07:00

First of all I would like to thank everyone for their comments and emails for my last post. They were all very touching and I do thank you. I posted my layout on Two Peas and Scrapbook.com and received so many nice messages. We had a nice weekend spent with family remembering Mom.

I've been doing a lot of reminiscing lately. For one thing I have been reading this book.

It is really funny. It takes me back to my younger days and so many memories. It made me run out and buy a Watermelon giant Lip Smackers. Do you remember those flavors? 7up? Watermelon? I think they had a Coca Cola one too. I just love it. Fabrege shampoo or Loves Baby Soft perfume.

I can smell it now and they still sell it. Anyway last week I spent a lot of time looking through really old pictures and laughing at some of my hairdo's from the past. Like this one.

This was taken in High School. I was in an off campus sorority and we had to wear this fake fur wrap in our pictures:) love it! Yes, I'm sure this will get some chuckles. I wonder if that is my real hair color? And I think I was going for Brooke Shields eyebrows. This was before I had a mullet. I think that came later in my senior picture. Oh my!

Anyway I decided to make Monday my day to pick a couple pictures and work on a layout during the week. I kind of lay everything out and that way I can work on it during the week. I think this one would be a good then and now layout. We'll see.

Also I'm inspired by the sketch at YourScrapbookStash.com.

It's actually from The Scrappiest and I love it! I'm going to scrap one of my most favorite pictures of Spence.

Taken at Sea World and it reminds me of Summer. And I'm really looking forward to a family 4th of July party this weekend (is summer going too fast or what?)

I'm going to start working on it tonight.

Inspiration Monday. My attempt at making my blog more fun:)

Be back soon. Enjoy your week!!!!

xoxo

PS- I'll have a drawing for Hope in a Jar when I'm done with it. It's too cute not to share.

The Memory of a Good Life & Happy Birthday Mom

2010-06-24T15:23:00.000-07:00

I have worked on a few layouts this week for my little shop. I wish that I could have someone come in and take the pictures for me. I'm just not that great at it and I get frustrated.

Here is a very special layout that I worked on of my beautiful mom. She loved red so I wanted to incorporate that in and yes, of course, the butterflies:)

I'm not sure who took this picture. It is an old one. My cousin gave it to me. She was going down a slide with an inner tube because she never learned how to swim. I just love it so much!

After she passed away, for months, I would see her as she was during the last moments of her life. The last month, week and minute was all that I thought of. It was the image at the forefront of my memory. Now I've gotten past that a little and this is what I picture when I think of her. I can hear her laughter and her voice. When I look at this picture I see everything she was. She was the life of the party and she loved to have fun.

When the doctor told my mom, sister and I there was nothing left for them to do and to just let nature take it's course my mom looked at us and said "It's o.k. girls, I'm ready, I've had a good life. She was SO very brave until the end. I truly believe that she did have a great life.

She would of been 73 this Saturday and I just wanted to get this post up and keep it up in celebration of her life.

I'm going to take a few days off. My heart is heavy. I don't know if I'm coming or going. I miss her so much and I would love more than anything to be able to celebrate with her but I want to celebrate for her and put her picture out there and talk about what a great lady she was. Hopefully you can hear the song playing. This was her favorite. "Good ol' Neil" is what she used to say.

Thanks for listening.

Enjoy your weekend! See you next week;)

PS - no weigh in this week - I'm taking a break - just from the scale. See the accountability this little blog provides. I have to fess up so I don't feel guilty about not getting up and weighing in on Saturday. Well, I'll probably still feel guilty. If I change my mind I'll post my results.

xoxo

Early to Bed Early to Rise

2010-06-21T09:18:00.000-07:00

Good Monday morning!

We all went to bed at 8:30 last night. It was still light out. And for once in a very long time I slept ALL night. Wow. I'm feeling pretty good this morning. Got up at 5:00 and cleaned a little, did a load of laundry, changed the bed sheets, organized my mess of an office to get ready to be truly productive today. I'm in a creative mood lately and when I get into it I just have to go with it. Looking forward to having a day home alone working on several different projects I started over the weekend.

This isn't even half of the mess I've made. It's all over the house. I've taken up the dining room table too:O Oh well. That is the process.

Getting ready to send Spence off to his summer day camp. The kid LOVES it! In the last two weeks every time I go to pick him up he gives me the "look" like "why are YOU here" . I'm not going to lie it kind of hurts:) I gave him the option to stay home with me today or go to day camp. Of course he chose day camp they are having a little field trip to the local pizza place to tour the kitchen and then make their own pizzas. I remember doing that at Straw Hat Pizza when I was a bluebird:) good memories. so I said o.k. and I looked forward to spending the day creating .........UNTIL I hear this coughing coming from the bathroom right before he was ready to leave and bill and I find him leaned over the toilet throwing up. Wow! Spence gets sick about twice a year and when he gets he - he GETS it. Bummer. I feel so bad for him. He was trying to hide it so he could still go on his field trip. He cried and cried and now he's asleep with a cold cloth on his head (slight temperature) and it's only 9:00 a.m. I've gone through and disinfected EVERYTHING and will continue to do so throughout the day. Yes it's only 9:00 and I've already washed my hands a hundred times. Is it bad to hope that I don't get it? Don't get me wrong I hate more than anything when Spence is sick but it is kind of a trend when he get's it I get it. I have six houses to clean this week and can not afford to be sick.

But on a happier note here are some pictures from yesterday.

Bill had a nice Father's Day and the weather was perfect.

we had a nice family lunch together.

and like I said ended the day with an early night time. Maybe that is why Spence agreed to it. He was coming down with something. Makes sense. He normally fights going to bed especially during summer.

I hope to still get some layouts done today and some Items I'm working on for my little shop. Making progress. I wanted to get it up and running this week. We will see.

Enjoy your Monday!

xoxo

Weekly Weigh In & Fathers Day

2010-06-19T08:26:00.000-07:00

From the article "Why the Scales Lie"

The best measurement tool of all turns out to be your very own eyes. How do you look? How do you feel? How do your clothes fit? Are your rings looser? Do your muscles feel firmer? These are the true measurements of success. If you are exercising and eating right, don't be discouraged by a small gain on the scale. Fluctuations are perfectly normal. Expect them to happen and take them in stride. It's a matter of mind over scale.

I weighed myself at home this morning and the scale said 158.4 and was relieved that I had lost and especially because because my scale normally weighs me a little more than Weight Watchers. So I happily drove to my meeting and got on the scale and it read .....

159.2

down .2 ------ AGAIN!

I gained .8 on my way to the meeting. That is why I'm sharing the above article with you. I read it again when I got home to give myself a little pick me up.

I started Weight Watchers in January 2009 and set out to lose 30 pounds NO MATTER HOW LONG IT TOOK - that was my goal. As of today I have lost 28. (yes - gasp - you can do the math to figure out where I started). I have since then set a new goal for myself and really want to be at 145. So I will continue on my WW journey.

Weight Watchers is the only plan that will work for me. This I know. It is the only time in a million other times that I have done the program and actually wrote down for a solid three months everything I eat during the day. I wear my Weight Watchers pedometer everyday so I can keep track of the activity points I earn and it makes me accountable for completing all of my steps and then some.

I am in the process of mastering this workout.

I started doing Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred in March. I stopped going to the gym. Put my membership on hold because I felt like a couple of years of going to the gym doing the same routine was not helping anymore. When I started 30 Day Shred I thought I was in pretty good shape but after doing 30 seconds of just plain old jumping jacks I was winded. It was a different kind of workout.

So this P90X is a challenge that I welcome. It is a love/hate relationship. Most days I'm excited to do it. This past week was difficult. I hurt my back working a couple of months ago and this week it was pretty bad. It comes and goes. But I gave it my all and got through a few tough workouts. I went from being winded doing 30 seconds of jumping jacks to now doing a minute of airborne jumping jacks, jump squats, jump lunges, boxing, a little yoga and weight training. I am definitely starting to see the results and that is a good thing.

Maybe this time is different because I have decided to do it for my health and nothing else. But I get wrapped up in the number on the scale and the number of the size of my pants and I know deep down I feel better. Much better than I did in January of 2009. If someone had told me losing thirty pounds would take me more than a year and a half I might of went the other way. Oh my! that would of been bad. I'm not going to lie and not saying it for sympathy but 2009 was a horrible year. I was just trying to hold it together and stay strong for my family. Eating right and exercising took a back seat for awhile.

So this is me giving myself a little pep talk because I felt like I needed it. Thanks for listening to me if you're still here:) It feels good to get it out and it helps so much just to document it on this blog. It keeps me motivated.

So now I have to say Happy Fathers Day to all the dads. My dad has been gone for 32 years now and there is not a day that goes by that I don't think of him. This is one of my favorite pictures.

I know I've shown this one before. I love it because we're all looking away from the camera but my dad was looking right at. Looking handsome and he had a great smile.

I was eleven when he passed away so what I remember about him is what I call "my eleven year old memory". But I remember he was super funny, he loved to tease me, he liked to dance, he was caring and strong and he was just my dad. I wish I could of had more time with him. I think about him and my mom together now in heaven. I hope they are sharing some laughs and looking down on Deb and I. Still watching out for us. I believe that.

and of course Happy Fathers Day to the best father I know.

(happy with his Bud Light in hand)

Bill has mastered this fatherhood thing pretty well. Him and Spence have a great relationship and I know how much Spence loves him. When I described my dad above it is all the things that Bill is. Funny, he teases both Spence and I, loves to dance & is caring and strong. A girl always marries someone like her dad. Isn't that how it goes?

Spence is taking him to lunch at McDonalds today and then they are going to pick out camping gear. We have a first annual family camping trip planned for July. Should be an adventure:)

If you are still here thanks again for listening. Sorry so long today. Even through tears I feel better.

Enjoy your weekend!

xoxo

American Crafts weekly challenge

2010-06-16T16:40:00.000-07:00

Another layout I did over the weekend. This is for the weekly American Crafts challenge to create a layout about an important boy or man in your life:) Fathers Day is Sunday you know!

I love this picture of him from our Palm Desert weekend. So cute.

Anyway here are the products i used.....

*American Crafts paper - Teen Pop Quiz - Heat Wave Tangerine Tidal Wave - Moda Bella Fancy
*Bazzil cardstock
*American Crafts Thickers
*Melody Ross chipboard
*My Minds Eye journaling card (I cut it right under the Love You and put the other half on the right side of photo)
*Sequins & twine
and I dusted off my Cricut and bought some new mats so I can start using something else besides my butterfly punch:) I love the Dragon Fly's. You may be seeing a lot of those to come!

That's it for today.

More to come later in the week.

Enjoy your day!!!!

Just One....

2010-06-14T17:04:00.000-07:00

I was a little creative over the weekend but only took a picture of one layout...

The photo did not come out really well but I like it! Look at how sweet & innocent my sister and I look. In both photo's of course;O wink wink. The one on the right is from last summer when we went to see the Counting Crows. I was in chardonnay heaven at that point.

I'll be back with more sharing this week. It is H.O.T. today.....ughhhhhh. I'm not ready for the heat. I want to live at the beach for the summer;O

Happy Monday!

xoxo

Better luck next week

2010-06-12T10:34:00.000-07:00

Saturday weigh in

159.4

down .2

I will take that. This morning I woke up and I did one of those "I don't want to weigh in this morning. I know I haven't lost anything this week & I probably gained" but I talked myself out of it. Drove fifteen minutes to get to my WW meeting, parked my car and sat there for a minute and thought about driving home. But I didn't. I had a tough week. A kind of emotional week and restless nights. YUCK! I exercised everyday and went below my given points but still only .2.

Like the lady weighing me in said "At least you didn't gain". Yes. At least I didn't gain.

Oh well......like I have said before there are good days and bad days. We will hope for some good ones this week.

Getting some layouts done and I'm finally working on my Etsy shop. Something that I have always wanted to do just for me and I'm going to do it no matter what. I have some creative juices flowing so I'm going with it.

Getting ready for my cousins little man to come over for a sleepover.

Not sure when this photo was taken. Probably a couple years ago. I have about a million of them together since they were babies. I'll add some this weekend.

Spence is on his way right now to get his summer buzz cut. Cannot wait to see the results.

Enjoy your weekend. Be back Monday with some fun stuff ...... hopefully;)

xoxo

Spring Time at Disney

2010-06-09T08:01:00.000-07:00

This is for the American Crafts weekly challenge.

Our day at Disneyland. I love this photo of us in front of the castle.

Here are the products I used...

-Paper - All AC - Travel Postcard - Baby Hickory Dickory - Dear Lizzy - Puddle Plat - Letterbox Signed - Dear Lizzy Fabric paper
-Thickers
-AC Remarks - smiles & Dear Lizzy Flicker
-Melody Ross Chipboard
-Making Memories pearls & alpha letters
-My Minds Eye Quite Contrary "Fun Times" sticker
-Yellow & white bakers twine (you can't really see it) I used it to make the banner

and of course I'm addicted to my Martha Stewart butterfly punch. I have other punches but I can't seem to stop using this one;)

I love the spring. Everything about it! Although I'm looking forward to summer and spending time at the beach with my book I'm not looking forward to the hot weather we have here. We are getting a little break this week before the stifling heat picks up.

Enjoy your Wednesday!

Be back soon....

xoxo

A little weekend creativity

2010-06-07T16:01:00.000-07:00

Monday already..the weekend fly's by. I was able to get a couple of things done on Saturday. Getting back into the swing of scrapbooking and getting my creative juices flowing (trying to)

This is a canvas I did with some of the Melody Ross chipboard pieces and the picture of me that Spence took in Palm Desert. (he is loving the photography thing;)

I have been really wanting to use the chipboard pieces. They are so cool. "Be Brave" "Live Passionately" Let your wings unfold" all things I need to remind myself of daily...especially the "ride it out"

Then I did a quick layout of Bill and I for our anniversary.

Some new Cosmo Cricket goodies. I'm loving everything yellow lately.

I'm on a roll so I hope to be back this week with some more.

Six months ago today my mom passed away. I cannot believe it's been six months. I miss her so much. I want to work on a layout with her next. It is hard sometimes just to do that but I know it keeps her memory alive if I put it out there. I love her.

XOXO

Slow & Steady - Weigh IN Day

2010-06-05T08:49:00.000-07:00

Weigh in this morning....

159.6

I said I was going to CELEBRATE once I hit the 150's & I'm ready! I'm so thrilled to see this number. I will say goodbye to the 160's and never look back;)

When I woke up on Tuesday after three days of drinking and eating whatever I felt like my first thought was "oh man, I'm skipping my weigh in this week" (so bad) and then I got up and took a shower, worked, came home did my P90X and ate really good all week even though I was starving and tired. I thought no matter what I feel like on Saturday I will go and weigh in. Seriously I felt like I gained this week but I was determined and got back on track. And I did it:)

Now I work on saying goodbye to the 150's. No matter how long it takes.

Looking forward to a nice weekend with the family. I'm getting crafty today NO matter what. I haven't scrapbooked in over a month and I need to get my creative juices flowing again........hopefully I'll have some layouts to show on Monday.

Enjoy your weekend!

xoxo

Gifted and Talented

2010-06-03T18:15:00.000-07:00

My little man. No longer in the third grade. He is on his way to the fourth grade and was accepted into the GATE program. Bill and I are beyond proud of him.

I went to his Honor Roll assembly yesterday and I just had a lump in my throat the whole time. Then the teacher said a nice little speech about him and I welled up with tears. Tears of Joy. He was the only one in his class that had straight A's all year. I couldn't help but think of my mom and how proud she would of been of him. It was an emotional day yesterday.

I just love him and I love that he is so smart and so dedicated to learning. I know next year will be a lot of work but I know he can do it!

Bill and I are going to have a little celebration for him on Saturday.

On another note I took my weepy self to see Sex and the City after the assembly. What is that saying?....oh yeah....."If you don't have anything nice to say. Don't say anything at all."

I'll leave it at that.............

xoxo

Palm Desert Part Two

2010-06-01T16:33:00.000-07:00

Spencer and I have been editing our photos for the last hour. We have been acting silly and laughing. Why is it three days in the sunshine partying it up and it takes me a week to recooperate. I'm wasting time instead of cleaning the house and working out.....maybe tomorrow.

Here are some more photo's from our awesome weekend.....

our view from our condo

friends

sis and brother

Dinner was out at Las Casuelas. Our favorite Mexican restaurant in the desert.

Lot's of pool time for Spence

and Bill...

Sunday drinks at the Club House where we were staying & then a bar-b-que.....

then everyone left and Deb, Bill & Spence and I all took silly pictures with my hat....

Like I said earlier.....a fun time was had by ALL!!!!!! I think we all needed it.

I hope to be back to my normal self by tomorrow. So very tired today. It was good to be home in our own bed last night but we were all missing our Daisy Dog.....especially me. She was being held captive in the kennel where we had her boarded. We begged the owner to let her out yesterday but they were closed. I went and got her this morning first thing before work and she was so excited. Now she is as tired as me. Waiting for Bill to get home so we can give her stinky butt a bath.......

I hope everyone enjoyed their three day weekend and of course remembered exactly what we were celebrating!

Have a good week. Be back soon:)

xoxo

Palm Desert

2010-06-01T13:27:00.000-07:00

A fun time was had by ALL!

Only one picture to share of Bill & I on our anniversary.

So many pictures but my computer is running very slow right now and I have to go pick the kid up from school.

We had such a great time in Palm Desert. Good food. Good champagne. Good friends. And A LOT of laughs!

I'll share more pictures later this week. Another busy week but I hope after this week it will calm down around here. Last two days of third grade for Spence. Closing ceremonies and party this weekend for baseball. And then we are in summer mode.

Taking tomorrow off to watch Spence get his honor roll award (third one this year - yes I'm bragging) and then I'm thinking I may take myself to see Sex and the City. Not sure yet. I have some friends that didn't like it so I don't know if I want to spend almost three hours in the movie theatre. We will see.......

Have a great week! Be back soon.

Happy June!!!!

xoxo

Eleven

2010-05-27T07:41:00.000-07:00

May 29, 1999

Celebrating eleven years of marriage on Saturday.

Such great memories from this day. A wonderful long weekend spent with friends and family in beautiful Santa Barbara, California.

Bill and I have been through a lot these past few years and I feel that our relationship is growing stronger everyday. I love him and I'm so thankful for him.

We are off for a long weekend in Palm Desert. Time with our friends and family.

As Spence said to me the other day "Mama you need this trip."

Yes I do.

See you next month.

xoxo

Tuesday

2010-05-25T17:58:00.000-07:00

via Table Tonic

Some (needed) inspiration for today.

Patiently waiting for the together part.

XoXo

Baseball Ready

2010-05-22T12:16:00.000-07:00

Last game of the season this afternoon.

I have to say I'm thrilled to have some extra free time again. Four days a week for the past three months. I'm kind of done!

Busy day today but I have to share my weigh in results.

As of today I'm down almost 7 pounds.

161.8

Spence went with me to my weigh in this morning and I told him once I hit the 150's I'm going to celebrate:) I haven't been in the 150's in a LONG time. 159.9 and I'm going to treat myself. Not sure with what but it will be good:)

Bill and I started P90X this past week. Let me just say this workout "aint no joke". Bill lost five pounds this week. He wakes up at 4:45 everyday and does it instead of going to the gym. We are both on a mission to be as healthy as we possibly can. I think today is the first day my muscles are feeling "okay". Just okay because for the first few days I could barely move. I think it's called the beach body workout for a reason;)

Have a nice weekend!

XOXO

The Joy of Disneyland

2010-05-16T14:08:00.000-07:00

Oh man Spence was surprised. He was so excited when he realized we were going to Disneyland. We pulled into our hotel about 6:30 a.m on Saturday morning and then he knew. He had several ideas of where he was going at 5:30 in the morning. I told him we were taking him to a Jonas Brothers concert at Angels Stadium. HA! I thought he was going to cry. He would not of been happy with that.

Here are some of the 100's of photo's from our weekend. Just a side note -- Spence was hit in the eye with a baseball Thursday night at practice. His eye is kind of swollen:O

We did the Disney Volunteer program this year. Worked out great!

Autopia cars. One of his favorites.

Jungle Cruise.

Teacups. Not my favorite but Bill doesn't like them. Super dizzy after this ride.

Waiting for Indiana Jones.

In front of Small World. My moms favorite ride.

It was a perfect day. Perfect weather and the crowds were just right. We got on most of the rides by noon and took the rest of the day to have a nice lunch and walk around and then back to the hotel for some pool time and then back to Disneyland at night for more rides. We are tired and missed our Daisy. I'm getting ready to go out and play tetherball with Spence. It was his birthday gift. Bill is going to bbq salmon tonight. YUM! A little chardonnay and a movie. Another perfect day.

Bill and I are starting THIS tomorrow. Ready to step it up! Wish me luck.

Enjoy your Sunday!!!

Thursday

2010-05-13T17:01:00.000-07:00

(photo courtesy of Todd Greer)

Only four more games to go and this little man will be done with a very long season.

He looks so cute in his catcher gear.

Getting ready to head out to practice and thought I would share this pic. Love it!

We'll be heading out bright and early Saturday morning for Spencer's birthday surprise weekend.

I've caught myself so many times getting ready to blow it.

No weigh in this weekend. Well not officially. I might jump on my own scale but I think it's different then the one at Weight Watchers being that it says I weigh less so I don't want to get my hopes up.

Be back on Monday.

Enjoy your weekend!!!

Happy Birthday Spence

2010-05-12T07:06:00.000-07:00

Nine years ago today this little man came into our life. We love him SO much.

These are some shots from our Red Robin lunch on Mother's Day. We had them sing happy birthday to him. He was a little embarrassed but the sundae made up for it:)

The kid loves his sweets. That is for sure.

I just love everything about him. He is good. He is sweet. He cleans his rooms. He is a straight A Honor Roll student. He listens to his teacher and coaches and follows the rules. He is a good and kind friend. He is an all around good kid.

I am just so proud to be his mom.

We are having Auntie over for pizza and cake tonight. And then the big birthday surprise weekend is finally here. Cannot wait. I cannot keep a secret from him anymore. It's tough.

Happy Birthday to my Spence. Love him SO MUCH!

xoxo

Enjoy your day!

Monday

2010-05-10T08:36:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone had a nice Mother's Day. We had a very nice weekend. Celebrated with my sister and mother-in-law Saturday night and then the boy's woke me up yesterday to yummy pancakes in bed. We went to the cemetery and it was perfect that they had laid my mom's marker on Saturday. It took a while for us to think about what we wanted to have it say but it turned out beautiful and it was nice to see all the flowers my sister and cousin had already left. Spencer bought some homemade corsages at school...

Here is one of mine (he gave me three) I hung it on the Mom ceramic heart he gave me a few years ago. It hangs in my car.

So cute. He bought one for his Auntie his grandma Chuckie (my mother-in-law's nickname from Spence) and one for my mom to put at her graveside. It was so sweet.

It turned out to be a nice day. We had lunch at Red Robin a little Target shopping and then home for relaxation. I took a long much needed nap.

I woke up to a text message from my cousin yesterday morning and throughout the day I received so many emails, calls & texts from family and friends and some of my clients. It was just so nice and I appreciate all of them so much! Thank you for thinking of me. It was another first. First Mother's Day without my mom. Definitely a different day but the boys made me feel extra special yesterday and it was very special to me.

So I'm going to try and do a little Week in the Life this week of course inspired by Ali Edwards. It is going to be a good week. I started snapping some photo's this morning.

Spencer reading his new Wimpy Kid book on the way to school. He loves to read.

I will keep my camera with me this week. Lot's of things going on. This little man turns nine on Wednesday:) I just did a horrible job wrapping a BIG gift we got for him. I'm going to try and fix it or I may just rip the paper off and start again.......UGGGHHHHHH.

Enjoy your day!!!!

xoxo

Happy Mothers Day

2010-05-08T10:21:00.000-07:00

"A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path."
-- Agatha Christie

(Spencer and I on his birthday)

Today I am thankful for being a mom. This little man brings me so much love and happiness everyday. I am super proud to be his mom. In the beginning I was scared. Scared that I wouldn't be a good mom and that I really didn't have a clue of what motherhood was all about. Today I think I'm a pretty good mom and I'm just enjoying learning something new about motherhood every single day. I'm LOVING it!

And to my mom. There are so many pictures of her. These are just some that I really love and they bring a smile to my face when I see them.

I can hear her say to me when I was younger and probably doing something stupid...:) "Just wait until you're a mom." Like someday you'll understand how hard it is but also how rewarding it is. She taught me a lot and I just thank God everyday that he gave me such a wonderful person to call my mom.

Happy Mother's Day to my family and friends. Do something special today and don't forget to tell your mom you love her. No matter where she is.

XOXO

Weigh In Day

2010-05-08T07:29:00.000-07:00

My weekly Weight Watchers weigh in - down three pounds:)

Stats today

163.8

Yipee!!!

I really focused this week and tried to be very kind to myself. Positive thinking ---- what a concept.

Today I am determined.

Happy Mother's Day weekend. Celebrate yourself.

Remembering my beautiful mom . I love her and I miss her so much.

xoxo

Stamp Out Hunger

2010-05-06T17:49:00.001-07:00

I just loaded up two bags full of non-perishable food items for Saturday's mail delivery.

Go here if you're interested in donating and finding out more.

Thanks!!

Discernible Palate Update

2010-05-05T15:26:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I had wrote about something I saw on Cathy Zielske's blog. My post here. We took this idea and ran with it.

We have been trying to get Spence to try new foods. Healthy foods. So we decided to give him a point system for each new food he tries, likes and continues eating and that would score him a trip to Disneyland. 250 points doesn't seem hard when Bill and I are handing out 3 pointer's for just a bite. Right?

Ha - the rate he's going he'll get that trip to the happiest place on earth in 3 to 5 years. I will however give him major props for trying the following:

-broccoli (so fun to see him eat this one)
-salad (takes him an hour to finish two bites)
-chicken (takes him two hours to finish one bite)
-banana's (he really already liked those)
-turkey burgers (does NOT like turkey burgers)
-strawberries (big points for this one)

He ate every single bite of these in record time today with his lunch. Spence eats 1/2 his lunch at school and then when he gets home he and I eat together so he eats the other 1/2 of his sandwich and today he asked for these little babies. I just brought them home today;) So good! I have to say I'm proud.

Another little disagreement we were having is whether or not he should get a haircut. For some reason he is set on having long hair. This is him over the weekend.

BEFORE AFTER

I won this time;)

Enjoy your day!!!

Be back soon....

Happy Cinco DeMayo. I'm making turkey taco salad for dinner. 6 points. YUMMY!

Weigh In Day

2010-05-01T07:41:00.000-07:00

As I was getting ready this morning for my weekly weigh in at Weight Watchers Bill was laying in bed and said "You look really skinny" I said "Don't say that you'll jinx me" but I was feeling it today - three pounds that was my goal.   I knew it was going to happen.

I stepped on the scale and the lady weighing me in got all excited and said "Wow! Great!". I just knew this was it....maybe even five pounds.

NO - not even close. .08 is what I lost.   The lady next to me weighing in looked at me and said "I thought it was going to be like eight pounds."   I laughed and said "So did I." Yes - I laughed but I really wanted to cry.

My note to the nice ladies that work at WW - please don't get so excited when I haven't even lost a pound. Just write my weight down and send me on my way. The anticipation of your excitement and the wait for you to add it up is just too hard for me to bear.   Thank you very much.

So with that said....

My weight this week....

166.4

I will say on my behalf and without making excuses that I hurt my back at work last week and it really affected my workouts and it is approaching that time of the month. There. That is all I am saying. (I am trying to go easy on myself) Do not give up! Blogging about it really helps. For me to put my weight out there is huge - in more than one way.

So I will persevere this week and change things up a little.

Going to eat breakfast (I've been up since 3:30 with a growling stomach) and then off to baseball.

Enjoy your weekend and

HAPPY NATIONAL SCRAPBOOK DAY!!!!!

Momday

2010-04-26T11:41:00.000-07:00

"My identity rests firmly and happily on one fact. I am my Mother’s daughter."

(quote from the movie Spanglish)

On Saturday I had some time to work on a couple of layouts. I decided to watch the movie Spanglish. It was one of my mom's favorites and mine too. At the end of the movie (of course) I was in tears. I was also working on this layout of mom.

Looking at pictures of my mom sometimes brings me happiness and sometimes it just goes the other way. On this day I was good. I have started to keep a journal of memories. When I think of something about her I want to write it down. I really have this fear I'm going to forget her and the memories we shared.

So in honor of Mother's Day coming up I'm going to try and honor my mom in the best way I know how (really I'm just trying to figure that out). I just want to share some things on this ol' blog in the next couple of weeks about her and some fun memories. So bear with me.

For Today -

This I know for sure (Oprah style) -

When you take something so prominent out of your life you definitely lose a bit of yourself. I am forty-two and parentless and this is a feeling that I can only describe as emptiness. It just hurts and sometimes I feel very lonely.

I guess I feel like I'm no longer a daughter. I know I was a daughter but am I still? This is where I feel a little lost. Today I feel like my role of being a daughter is done. So I will say....

I am a mom. I am a wife. I am a sister. I am a daughter-in-law. I am a niece. I am a cousin. I am a friend.

And I once was a daughter to a kind and handsome dad and a beautiful and caring mom and I will hold those memories very close to my heart forever.

And because I am my mother's daughter I will continue to be strong and nurture the relationships I have just as I did being a daughter to my wonderful mom and as my mom did throughout her life.

Thanks for listening today...

Sometimes I just need to let it out.

Back to work and hope to share some WW recipes this week.

XOXO

My Girl

2010-04-25T11:50:00.000-07:00

A quick 8 1/2 x 11 layout I did yesterday of my Daisy Dog.

This is for the weekly American Crafts challenge. Love the Pet Challenge.

Products used -

AC Blue Skies paper
AC Letterbox chipboard frams
AC Dear Lizzy fabric paper (the flower)
AC Remarks (smiles)
October Afternoon Boardwalk letters
Making Memories letters
Crepe/tulle vintage trim & some cute stick pins

I love it when I get to use "girl" colors:)

Enjoy your Sunday:)

Weigh In day.......

2010-04-24T08:22:00.000-07:00

Down one pound this week.

Trying not to get discouraged......I was (of course) hoping for more.

Stats today

167.2

Gotta be honest - I'm in a little bit of a bad mood. :O

Off to baseball.

Enjoy your weekend!!!

PS - those are not my feet (wink:)
Photo courtesy of Photobucket

One thing

2010-04-21T08:49:00.000-07:00

Okay I had to post something new just to get rid of that post with my weight in RED on top of the ol' blog. Talk about daring. I'm never that daring. But it actually felt good to put it out there. Really actually motivating and honest. I wish I could believe when people say "it doesn't matter what the scale says" mainly because I've said it a hundred times but I never truly believed it. To me it does matter. But it also matters to me at this point in my life to be as healthy as I possibly can and that is my goal.

I had talked about a dream I had a couple weeks ago and someone kept saying to me "you just need to be good at one thing". I was having that dream right when I was ready to wake up so I think that is why it stuck with me so much. I'm not sure who it was saying it to me but I took it to heart. What if I just focused on one thing in my life and just stuck with it? Not being a good mom or wife or anything like that but just one thing about "me". So I have decided my one thing is my health. I will give it my all everyday to make the right choices and move. And of course still be the excellent wife and mom I already am. (wink wink) I honestly believe so many of us women put ourselves last. I really have done that because I have a good support system in both Bill and Spence and they want me to be happy. So it is up to me to really try hard this time and focus on this one thing.

So yesterday I stepped, according to my pedometer, 18,063 steps and now I will shoot for 20,000. Not sure today it will happen. Yesterday after work I came home and ran/walked for about an hour and so that really helped. Today it is raining pretty hard right now but so far I have done this....

Level 2 of the Shred

and this .....

Daisy Dog is not a fan of getting wet. We'll go for another round later today.

It is 8:45 a.m. and I've already logged 3200 steps. Not too bad. And the tracking everything I eat is really helping me keep it in check. I haven't done that in a LONG time. I made a little cover for my 3 month WW journal. Just a reminder.

Blank so far for today (must eat breakfast....soon) I get 25 points and I've been staying at about 22 for the day.

Bill picked this rose this morning and since I was in picture taking mode I thought I would share. It's on my mantle next to one of my favorite pic's of mom when she was little.

I'll share some of my WW finds this week. I'm on a hunt for one to three point things. I'm going to put a chicken in the crock pot for dinner tonight and a salad.

I'm going to pop Sex and the City in today while I scrapbook and enjoy the rainy day. Five hours until the kid comes home..........

Enjoy your day!