Last Weekend of 2013 and New Year, New Me?

Happy New Year's Eve!

The last weekend of 2013 was a fun one for me!

Friday I had a dance party in my living room....by myself.  I figure what better company haha

No seriously, wine and line dancing in the living room.  You know you want to come over next time.

Saturday was spent doing laundry and cleaning then I went out with Nicole.  I tried to take a selfie..

I don't know about you but selfies are awkward.  I can't be serious, always have my mouth open (twss) and there is a trash can. It's not even my trash can #classy

Anyway we went to the electric cowboy.  I'm too old for clubs but we had a good time with our many, many shots of tequila.  We might have taken selfies in the bathroom....

Again...#classy

After going to bed at 4am we were up before 8.  My age starts to show at these moments when I feel like I may die for days after.  Good thing we are going out tonight for New Year's.  She's trying to kill me off I think!

Sunday was spent with my poor sick niece.

You know she's sick when she lays down, that shit doesn't happen EVER. She is usually tearing apart the house and I am chasing after her making sure she doesn't burn down the house. If only I was kidding...

We watched the Broncos kick some Raider ass and PFM break some more records.  It was so awesome that I made homemade pizza with some team spirit

Then I watched my Eagles beat the cowgirls.  It was a great football day.


So starting today:

Haha you know it's true.  Someone at work today asked what my resolution was going to be and I said to be worse next year than I was this year;)

Obviously I was kidding and yes I do have some goals but if I don't do them I don't. Fock it

I stole this from Marcy at The Mustache Diaries because I can't come up with shit on my own...yeah I said it


A bad habit I'm going to break:

Biting my nails (As I am biting them)  Sometimes it gets so bad I bleed, ouch

A new skill I'd like to learn:

Decorating my house.  I love to make things to decorate my house but that doesn't mean they go together or even look good

A person I hope to be more like:

My grandpa that just died.  He NEVER took life seriously, didn't put up with shit but still managed to make everyone he came in contact with feel special. 
 
A good deed I'm going to do:
This may sound like I'm an asshole and maybe I am but right now I am raising my 2 year old niece.  I love her to death and treat her like my own but I would love to be able to help my sister get on her feet completely so she can take my niece back.  Sometimes I feel like I have run out of energy for good deeds lol 

Besides that maybe some random acts of kindness could be nice, maybe just Starbucks


A place I'd like to visit:

New Jersey!  Ang and I and some fireball! Let's do this!!

A book I'd like to read:

I read so many already so I will just say I will read more next year.

A letter I'm going to write:

A letter to my son as much as I need to would be good. 


A new food I'd like to try:

Sushi. Ok so I have tried a couple but raw food isn't appealing to me.  That might not happen but I'm trying to keep an open mind to all things....except eating dogs or cats....that's not happening lol kidding


I'm going to do better at:

Listening to Marcus.  Don't get me wrong I listen to him but the kid loves to talk...too much.  I think he really just loves to hear himself talk.  I have decided though that cutting him off and asking him for moments of silence is probably not the best idea.  I want him to be able to talk to me about all things.  So that's probably my biggest goal for 2014.


Oh and that working out thing I used to enjoy!

What about you?? Goals? Resolutions??

Hope everyone has a wonderful night! If you don't hear from me in a couple days it's because I died of being too old for this shit syndrome!

The Day After

What is the best thing about the day after Christmas??? NO MORE CHRISTMAS MUSIC! Halle-freakin-lujah!!!  I can handle a little bit but when stores start decorating in September for Christmas and start playing the music before Thanksgiving, I really just want to throw up!

Speaking of that magical holiday...I work my butt off for Christmas because to save money I make all my own gifts.  This year was chocolate spoons for hot chocolate, jam (always), earring holders, sharpie mugs and cookies.  So anyway by the time Christmas gets here I am over it. Exhausted and over it to be exact.

This year we threw in a funeral on Christmas eve.  It was a beautiful service.  I had to give the eulogy.  I can get up in front of a crowd and sing a song but when it comes to speaking I literally just shake.  So nervous nelly here got up there and shook.  I'm sure my grandpa was looking down and laughing at me!  My uncle and cousin got up and played Silent Night on the guitar and violin...beautiful. 

My grandpa was a veteran so we got the whole 21 gun salute and flag folding ceremony.  As sad as the day was that made it a little better.

Afterward we went back to the church to eat and share stories.  It may have been a funeral and Christmas Eve but at least we were together.

Marcus no longer believes in Santa and my niece is 2 and doesn't understand the concept so Christmas morning was simple.  I didn't have to put too much stuff out under the tree.  I got them each something big and then some movies.  The rest of the family spoils them rotten so I get a little break!

She got a car seat and stroller for her babies and couldn't be without them, even on the couch

My niece got a snake in her stocking and was so excited

I bought him all the fast and the furious movies, plus he got the new diary of a wimpy kid

Mama got spoiled too...

I mean seriously, have you ever made something from the pioneer woman??? That bitch will make me fat one of these days.  There is not one damn thing I have made that wasn't magically delicious??

I have never seen Breaking Bad but have heard nothing but good things.  The problem is I get addicted to TV series so I have to wait for a time where I can do nothing but watch it.

                                          Someone knows me well.....Marcus.  Is that sad?? 

Christmas Day I always work and make dinner for all of our people there.  They are my second family, plus my staff gets to have the night off!

Anyway I'm really glad Christmas is over...now on to New Year's and all those resolutions I will never keep haha  I plan on partying hard then joining this:

I am a big budget er anyway but I will admit I don't follow it completely.  January will be the month.  I could definitely use a break from spending then we can all link up about our failures.  I know...so much faith!

I haven't been doing too much the last week besides the obvious except......

This

And...

This and

This

I've been reading like a mofo.....Next up Gone Girl.  I tried to read it once before and couldn't get into but since I'm in such a reading mood I thought I should give it one more try.

But seriously How can the Beautiful Bastard series be over?? I feel like there is so much more that can be written...oh well.  Any suggestions for other smut???

How was every one's Christmas??

This Or That

Today is a sad day for me.  My grandpa passed away last night:(  It's going to be rough without him for Christmas.

Celebrity Christmas Carol's or Chipmunk Christmas Carols
I grew up listening to the Chipmunks Christmas Carols and love them! 



The original Chipmunks not the new ones...although they are all cute

 

Gift Cards or Gift Baskets
Either. If there is wine in the basket I will take them all year long:)
 

Naughty or Nice
NAUGHTY!  Nice is no fun. I'm getting coal in my stocking for sure

 

Getting Everything on your wishlist, or Giving Someone Everything on Their Wishlist

Giving someone everything on their wishlist! 


Presents on Christmas Eve, or Presents Christmas Morning.

We usually do both.  Christmas Eve with family and then alone on Christmas morning!

Weekends aren't long enough...

Or maybe they are too long? I know it's weird to say that but sometimes my weekends are so busy I look forward to going to work to get a break!

My grandpa is on his death bed, literally.  I wasn't expecting him to make it through the weekend but he's still here today.  By here I mean breathing but that's about it:(  He no longer recognizes anyone or opens his eyes.  It's such a painful thing to watch happen.  The only thing that makes me feel better is that he has lived 87 years.  He has been through war, marriage, kids, divorce, grandkids, another marriage, a career, great grandkids and retirement.  I have been lucky enough to be extremely close to him my whole life and so when he finally does let go I can be content to know that I got to experience a wonderful, hilarious man!

Luckily I got to have a little fun in between spending as much time with him as possible.

Friday- After spending time with my family I went bowling with some friends.  It was fun except my arthritic hands don't like it so much today!  I am a terrible bowler too....my highest score was 67. Yep it's that bad haha

We stayed up till 5 in the morning.  I am really feeling my age these days!  My mind says I can act 21 but my body says FU!

I was going to add a funny e-card here but blogger isn't liking me today!

Saturday- Marcus had a basketball game so I drove 45 miles home for that.  They won!  Then we drove back.  I spent some more time with my grandpa then went to an all girls Christmas party!  We had lots of wine and played sour apples to apples.  I really want to buy the dirty one. Anybody played that one?

Sunday-Went home and made dessert for a late Thanksgiving I was doing with a friend.  I made a Reese's cheesecake and The Pioneer Women's Apple Dumplings.  Those apple dumplings were amazing, they had one really weird ingredient though....mountain dew.  It totally made the dessert though!  Here is the recipe if anyone feels like they need to eat some. I wish I took pictures this weekend.  I think I forgot how to blog lol

She made lasagna and it was the third italian meal I had this weekend and I'm not complaining except these love handles that grew back..oops!

Then I watched 3 Hallmark movies. I needed my fix I guess!

So on that note, back to some goals for the week!

Fitness:

*Workout at least 3 times this week.  I think everyday is too much to ask for!
*Quit eating crap (if only it were that easy)

Non Fitness:

*Finish all my Christmas presents and wrap them
*Make cookies
*Pack all my soon to be ex husbands crap and organize my house

Short but sweet. I put too much pressure on myself sometimes, time to slow down!

Hope everyone has a great Monday!!

Cookie Swap and This or That

Cookies are my favorite thing ever! That's why I only make them at Christmas so I can give them away:) Linking up with my favorite Ang:)

This recipe is from an ancient cookbook of my mom's that we used to make every year.

Pumpkin Cookies

1 cup shortening
1 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 cup pumpkin
2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup nuts (any kind)


Frosting:

1 cup brown sugar
3 tbs. butter
4 Tbs. milk
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

Combine and mix the first 10 ingredients. Add nuts. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes.

For the frosting: Stir and boil the first 3 ingredients for 2 minutes.  Cool. Add last 2 ingredients and frost cookies.

These are amazing and you can't eat just one, you have to eat 5 lol


Next up:

 

Fashionable snow boots, practical snow boots?

Practical.  I don't go around town in my snow boots so there is no need for them to be that great although mine are pink with fur. Boots with the fur, the whole club was looking at her....

 Hat or ear muffs

Hat!  Particularly my bronco beanie:)

Snowed in or playing out in the snow

Both? I love being warm inside watching the snow but it's so much fun to go sledding or have a snowball fight!

Sledding or snow tubing 

Sledding! I've never been tubing...I know I know I live in Colorado.  I really don't actually like the snow haha

Almost winter or Winter’s almost over

Winter is almost over! Come on Spring, Summer, and Fall!!!

Happy Tuesday!!!

Christmas Traditons Link Up

Today I am linking up with one of my favorites Holly ( her husband just did my new awesome blog design) to tell you about my Christmas traditions.

To be honest the only thing that stays the same every year is the movies.  I haven't always been a fan of Christmas but can't get enough of the movies.  Anyone else addicted to those ridiculous Hallmark movies?? Oh just me? Pathetic I know!

Here are my must sees every year:

Who doesn't love this movie? My dad and I used to watch the 24 hour marathon every single year and I still never get tired of it!

This movie has so many great actors in it and the story is great. 

 Aww Love Actually.  I just noticed yesterday that Rick from The Walking Dead is in here!

I used to watch these constantly when I was younger and have now passed it on to Marcus.  These are a must at Christmas time!!

Growing up our family traditions were always different.  The one thing that stood out to me the most is when we would visit my Tata and Nana (my Dad's dad and step mom).  The whole family would gather in the living room and make music for hours.  Tata, my uncle and my dad were amazing guitar players, so we would all sit around and sing anything from Christmas, to country, to Spanish songs.  We were lucky enough to get together Father's day and do the same thing but probably for the last time:(

The one thing that will carry on in our family is music.  It is our favorite thing!

What is your favorite Christmas song?

Here is mine:

Wendy and Carnie Wilson-Hey Santa-Yep I went there. Judge away

This year I have decided to LOVE Christmas!  I usually don't like it because of the stress it brings but this year is different.  I am going to decorate and do fun things with the kids every weekend until then!  Tomorrow-Santa at Bass Pro, they have the best set up and who doesn't want to go there anyway?  Here is to a great Christmas!!!

This or That

Today I am linking up with Candra and Jodi for the This or That Link up.  Answering questions is so much fun isn't it?

Screened in Porch or Wrap Around Deck-Wrap around deck for sure but it has to be out in the country with a perfect view of the sunrise and sunset:)

Big Luxurious Bathtub, or Huge Walk in Closet-Bathtub.  I used to have one and it was my favorite part of the house!  Candles, wine and a book! Perfect mommy time!!

Kitchen with an Island, or Kitchen with a Breakfast Bar-Neither? Islands and breakfast bars just gather junk lol  Ok if I have to choose then a kitchen with an island.  They just look prettier!

Big Front Yard, or Big Back Yard-Big Back Yard.  You can hide from your neighbors haha and if your lawn isn't perfect it's ok!

Bountiful Garden or Nearby Grocery Store-Garden! Fresh fruits and vegetables are the best kind! I wish I lived somewhere warm all the time so I could have a year round garden.

I'm off to make more jam! Hope everyone has a great Tuesday:)

Thanksgiving and Weekly Goals

How was your Thanksgiving?? Mine was more like Black Thanksgiving. Yes we had dinner and yes I shopped ALOT!  3 different stores to be exact.  What a better way to spend with my family?? Yeah I know it's horrible but hey I am cheap and love me some good deals!

Walmart was nuts and I ended up watching and listening to several fights...I mean really those beats by Dre headphones are not worth broken bones.  Yes there were broken bones and people getting kicked out.  I felt like I was watching animal planet and all these people were fighting for food!

Except it starts the same day now.

I got some really great deals, ended up saving over 400 dollars and got a new laptop! These new laptops are confusing though, they have apps. Yes apps!  If I want to do something on here I have to download an app.  I guess I could have just upgraded my phone and it would have been pretty close but hey I can type without misspelling every other word because I fat fingered it at least right?!

It feels good to be back to blogging.  I don't even actually care if people read it.  It helps me remember my life, my goals and keeps me accountable when I decide to do crazy things like fitness challenges.

This weeks goals:

Fitness

*Work out every day this week, even if it' s only 10 minutes
*Put down the hot Cheetos-I may have eaten a bag yesterday( a big one)
*No sugar.  I know this is hard but it's what I struggle with most.

My goal is to be the healthiest and most fit I have ever been by the summer time.  Then I can actually rock a bikini!

Home

*Deep clean!  The stomach flu is going around and I don't want that shit.  I was up till 5 with Marcus while he was puking his poor little guts out!
*Make more jam!
*Sell some jam!  I made some yummy flavors last week, cranberry champagne, strawberry margarita, carrot cake and vanilla pear.
*Read a whole book...I've been slacking on this one

Happy Monday!! Hope everyone gets some good Cyber Monday Deals!!

Thread Eleven Facebook Challenge

When I saw thread eleven was doing another fitness challenge I jumped at the chance. I hadn't worked out in months and I knew it would be a kick start to getting my ass back in shape. It was a 2 month challenge and to be honest that first month I ate clean maybe 70% of the time and didn't work out once....oops.

The second month though I kicked butt, including doing the advocare 10 day cleanse.  Is that cheating? I didn't do it to cheat I promise. Just wanted to eat better and I did!

Here are my results:

Starting weight 129.4
Waist 34"
Hips 37.5
Legs 22.5
Arms 11.5

Now:
Weight 123.2
Waist 32
Hips 36
Legs 21.5
Arms 11

Pretty good for a month!! Anyone have any other good challenges coming up? It would be nice not to gain weight over the holidays:)

What baseball has taught me

Sorry for being absent, I have been so busy and haven't felt like hooking up my ancient laptop and waiting 3 hours to write and post.  My birthday is coming, someone want to buy me a new one?? lol

Today is the inspection on our new house, Monday is the appraisal, next Saturday my Dad and Aunt are throwing us a reception and then we hopefully close on the house the following week!  I CANNOT wait! I can't wait to live with my husband, I can't wait to not feel like a gypsy, I can't wait to have a routine again!  Then it is back to making up recipes and hopefully working out! The kids go back to school 3 days after we close....that's going to be a pain in the ass but I'm thankful we will be there before instead of after!

The other night I went to a Rockies game with my hilarious friend Dorlene.  As I was enjoying the gorgeous sunset of Colorado.  If you have never seen one, get here asap.  They are some of the most beautiful I have ever seen, the mountain backdrop helps I'm sure.  I realized how much baseball has taught me!

My happy place

It's even better with beer

Let's start from the beginning...I HATED baseball.....no really!  I started going to karaoke when I was 21 and all of the people loved it.  I ignored it and always told them "baseball is stupid" "it's so boring".

One of them said come to a game with me I promise it won't be boring....so kicking and screaming I went.  Guess what?? I was hooked!  When you are at the game there is so much life, so much fun, so much emotion.

This says it all

The true test was watching it on TV.  It is hard to pay attention, everyone looks the same, balls are flying (haha) and it is just hard to stay focused.  I watched slowly and with my friend's help learned about the game and who each player was. That helps a lot.

It just so happened that year not having any idea when I started loving the game, they went to the world series.  Of course it was against none other than the Red Sox.  I could not get enough of baseball after that! 

As you learn about the players, you learn they are nothing like basketball or football players.  Yes they make mistakes and there are certain ones (*cough* Jeter *Cough*) that like to be the center of attention but seriously how much do you know about baseball players and their personal lives?? Not much I'm sure of it!

I Hate crowds, they make me crazy!  I get claustrophobic and don't look forward to going somewhere where I know there will be a lot of people.....except a baseball game.  A crowd there doesn't bother me one bit.

Heart....these players have a ton of it.  They love the game and you can feel it just watching them.  They have their good games and bad games but overall whether they win or lose they still get to do something they love for a living. 

The excitement-When you are at a game and they are winning or losing the fans are some great cheerleaders.  We may have to rally ALOT but if you are a true fan, that's what you do.


It has taught me to not give up.  At the end of that game even if they are losing they don't give up.  I have tried to do that with life.  It doesn't happen most of the time but every time I go to a game or even just watch one it reminds me.  I cheer, jump up and down, get excited, get sad, get mad....all the emotions that come with life. 

If you want something go for it....what's the worst that can happen?

Add caption

What about you? What do you love about baseball? Football??

Happy Friday!!!

Finish the sentence Part 500

Finish the sentence? Why not!

If I had one extra hour in the day... I would probably play more candy crush...

I wish my name... would be Gina. Oh wait my bff already calls me that "Dammit Gina" Who knows what that's from?;)

I think anything chevron is... is annoying already!

My last nightmare... I got chastised for calling my niece a devil child by her dad's family.  Who knows where that came from? lol

Sometimes... I wish our cars were bumper cars and I could bump people out of my way!

My last meal on earth would be... Anthony's pizza, hot cheetos, rocky road ice cream and a cherry pepsi

I would much rather... be with my husband right now. It has been a long 11 days....

Mayonnaise... is alright but Miracle whip is where it is at!

10 years ago, I didn't think...I would be married. I always thought it was a joke

Selfishly... I like to ignore everyone with a glass of wine and a book

My favorite show on TV right now... Dexter....the last season...it is so sad
 

And, George Zimmerman... no comment. Florida likes murderers I guess

Happy Thursday! Thank god it's my friday:)

Let's talk books



Hi there! Did you miss me? Probably not lol that's ok. I haven't been in a blogging, working out kind of mood lately. I think once I get into our house things will change. For the next ten days I am staying with my grandpa while my grandma goes out of town. It will be good for me because there will be no eating out and I will be bored out of my mind. Lots of workouts in my future for sure, oh and westerns....millions of those! Plus it will be a routine and I can eat healthy! Not only that but I get to spend some quality time with my grandpa....can't forget that. Anyway I have been finding time to read lately so I thought I would share a few of them and what I thought

I LOVE Janet Evanovich....usually.  This book is just Ok.  Her usual humor hasn't been in her last couple of books and it's so sad. 

If you have ever read any of her Lucy Kincaid books, this is another one in the collection.  It took me a little while to get into it but when I did it was hard to put down.

Everyone kept telling my Jennifer Weiner was this great author but this book wasn't great.  It was a cute story, kind of a Thelma and Louise type story.  I am not sure I would read any of her other books though.



I LOVED this book.  Everyone kept saying how great it was and it truly was.  The ending was a shocker but this book will definitely go on my favorites list!



One of these days I am going to add a books tab to my blog, I am kind of blog retarded though.  Maybe I need some hubby jack magic!

In these ten days I plan on reading a whole lot!  Working on Reconstructing Amelia right now...stay tuned.

Hope everyone is having a great Tuesday!!!



5 on Friday

 

Today I am linking up with Christina from Carolina Charm for 5 on Friday!

 

Warning-It is all food!

 

1. Chobani Flips

Have you seen these? I decided to try them because they were on sale (I'm cheap) and I will be buying them EVERY week!  This one and the almond choco loco are sooo delicious.  This one reminds me of the chocolate covered cherry blizzard at dairy queen (except raspberry). Dessert for breakfast yummy!

2. Morningstar Farms Chipotle Black Bean Burger-I really wanted something at work that was good for me, easy to warm up and would fill me up!  These are really good!

 

3. Skinny Cow Candy-

My favorite candy.  I actually would eat this over a Reeses---What?!!!!

 

 

4.  Brookside Dark Chocolate Pomegranate, Acai or Goji -

I mean shoot if I'm going to be addicted to sweets I might as well eat some that are better for me!

Watch out, these bitches are addicting!!

 

5.  Pirates Booty-If you haven't tried this yet you should! Also addicting ugh! Don't try the Veggie kind....gross.

 

 

On to the weekend...baseball tournaments ALL weekend! It is so hard to eat well at baseball, 45 miles away from home so Ripped in 30 will start Monday. The 1st, it's so convenient!!

 

My husband (so weird to say that) is fixing the A/C in my car, thank goodness since it was 100 yesterday...yuck!

 

What is everyone doing for the weekend?? Who loves the above food?

 

Happy Weekend!!!

 

 

 

Summer Reading and Tabata

I am really excited about this link up!  The other day I went to the library and couldn't find anything that I wanted to read or hadn't already #readaholicproblems

A couple books on my summer reading list are:

Yes I finally jumped on the bandwagon.  After 50 shades and the Crossfire Novels this better be good!  We all need a little smut in our lives;)

Others:
Summer Sisters-Judy Blume-I didn't even realize she still wrote books haha
The Heist-Janet Evanovich-Seriously if you have never read her you are missing out!
Mistress-James Patterson-I have read every single one of his books
Reconstructing Amelia-Kimberly MCreight

Can't wait to see what everyone else is reading!

I did the challenge for this week which was tabata. I have done it before and love it! Ok actually have a love/hate relationship with it. I mean seriously girls jump lunges?? Confession I like them better than regular ones, maybe it's because it's only 20 seconds at a time? who knows!

My favorite thing about tabata is that you do so much in such a little time and sweat your ass off!

My sweaty F off tabata face...it isn't pretty haha

Here are my goals for the week:

Today-Tabata and swimming-I have been doing some Jillian exercises in the pool too.  Start the Ripped meal plan-so far so good
Wednesday-Ripped in 30 and Tabata-catching up
Thursday-Ripped in 30 and Treadmill
Friday-Tabata early in the morning----Something special coming that day:)  Updates on Monday
Saturday and Sunday-----None

What are your workout goals this week? Yes I am a day late oh well!

Hope everyone is having a fabulous Tuesday!!