If Only!

Wouldn't that just be fabulous! Secret tunnels even if they lived in a different state, then it should be a portal. Don't you think this would be perfect??? 

IF ONLY! 

2011 Plan Mid Year Update!

I have slacked with my updates, I know! But it's kinda the middle of the year! (Well it's after but we can ignore that) It's good to see what I've accomplished and how much more I have to do! With this update I want to focus on what has been accomplished more than what else I have to work on. So here it goes!

-I have been more positive! Yes, I have had my down days but overall I think my outlook is much more positive with most everything.
-I have expanded my cooking skills. I believe I have shown that in my many food posts here!
-I have made headway with decorating my room! It's the little things and I still want to do more but it's coming together.
-I took a mini road trip! It was very mini, like 2 hours away but I counted it since I went somewhere I have never been.
-I have been more crafty! Again with the little things but I have made stuff and really want to do more when I have money.
-I have worked on my relationship with God and I feel like I have more peace,
-I have been healthier. I cut out pop. I have it every now and then but not every morning like before.
-I have been losing weight. (I think) I have been counting calories and will be working out more since my room is no longer a sauna! I feel better but haven't seen huge results.

Well, that's all for now folks! I know I have more on my list and looking at it right now makes me a little worried if I'll get it all done....but I have still have a few months of 2011 left. Plus I'm a procrastinator I have work well on crunch time! Haha!

Do you know who this is????

He is British actor Matt Lewis. And he plays Neville Longbottom in the Harry Potter films. Can you believe that is Neville!!!! I don't know about you but I am shocked and impressed! He turned into a hottie and I like!! lol I decided I needed someone exciting as my screen saver on my iphone and Matt Lewis is it. Anyone else impressed?

Vacation!

That is what I did ALL day long. Read a book on the beach. Now mind you this was the beach of a lake but there was sand and water so it counts. Right?! It definitely wasn't the sandy beaches of Hawaii but I got a tan sunburn.

Yes, I'm making a post while on my mini vacation. But I just had to share my excitement that I laid on the beach all day! No work, no worry, no plans, just whatever and chilling out. Then I didn't follow my diet and get to do the same thing most the day tomorrow. Let me tell you....I hit a little bit of heaven. Well, minus the sunburn. (But it does turn into a nice tan) 

Quote of the Day

"It's ok, we were brainwashed but we're better now." 

-By me during a conversation with my sister and brother in-law

Don't you just wish you knew what we were talking about? Or maybe you just understand and are already rolling on the floor laughing.

Money, Money, Money

This is how I feel about money at the moment. That I've had to break my piggy bank and must get five new ones! The reason behind all this, I got into a car accident that was my fault essentially. I think I can blame it on the other driver and some other things but we won't get into that. With that comes a deductible since my car cracked and their car had a scratch. (Really?! how does that happen?!) My piggy bank is sad, I am sad and now slightly worried about money. Truth time, I have never been that great at saving money. I can always find something I "should" buy. (don't we all) 

But this incident made me realize I need to do better. I need to have savings and watch how I am spending my money. I don't think I do horrible but I most definitely could do better. With that will come some sacrifices I have to make and some brain storming but it's necessary. I am trying to find more ways to save and I am open to any ideas! I have been thinking about a second job for a little while but I don't know what to do. I don't think I could do retail again. Too much drama and stress after my normal stress filled day time position. I would love to be able to babysit again and earn money that way but I don't have a good clientele here. I'm open to ideas here as well!! Help a girl out!

Hope everyone has a saving filled weekend!!

2 Things

First, I found this today on someone else's blog or maybe facebook, now I can't remember. But I must have been stalking somewhere.

 I know so many strong woman, that affected my life deeply. I think sometimes the strongest woman needs to be reminded what makes her strong. So all you strong ladies out there this is for you!

Second, It's the Fourth of July!!!!! Fireworks!!! Well the Fireworks here don't compare to the chaos of Hawaii but I've been hearing popping at night for the past few weeks and just watched the Macy's Spectacular show on tv. (Their name not mine though it was pretty cool) I'm so proud to be an American. I don't think I even have the words for it. All I can say is I tear up at the songs, cry at the site of a uniform, feel the need to applaud when I see one in the airport, get extremely angry/argumentative/defensive if you say ANYTHING against my country or those fighting for my country. We may have our own issues but we still by far stand for so much and are so grand.

A view of the Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor as you are heading back on the boat. So many have died for our freedom. I don't care who you are, where you are, or what you believe. If you live in America or are American THAT should mean something to you.

"Cause their ain't no doubt I love this land, God Bless the USA!!"

I love food!

I love good food! I heard a quote recently that says "Food is essential to life, therefore make it good!" How brilliant is that? I had a weekend alone recently and had to cook for myself. (Normally my sister does all the cooking.) I had a lot of fun and made some really yummy dishes!

The first dish I made was a chicken avocado sandwich. It was delish! I was inspired by an episode of diners, drive ins, and dives. I googled the recipe (everything is on google) and found it here. I picked up some fresh bread at a local italian bakery. Doesn't it look yummy! I could eat another one right now!

The next night I had some girls over and we had salad and lasagna. Sadly I only got a picture of the salads. The lasagna turned out pretty good though. Then we had cannoli for dessert! (We ate those too fast to even take pictures) Cannoli is my new love I think.  P.S. the drinks are sparkling cranberry apple cider

I slacked on pictures for most everything else but I made homemade burgers and teriyaki steak as well. The only picture I have left is of the fruit tarts I made. Yes, fruit tarts. Another slight obsession I had. With most these things I HAVE to figure out how to make them. A friend at work helped me find a recipe online here. It was a simple recipe to follow and I used blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries on my tarts.

They were as good as they look and I ate waaay too many! Oh! and a little side note, the recipe says you should refrigerate the filling overnight but I didn't and it turned out fine. I put mine in the fridge for about 30 minutes and it was great. So...get your ingredients, bake, and enjoy! Fruit tarts are an awesome summer treat!

Calm before the storm?

I had a different post planned for tonight but I had to show you what it looked like outside about an hour ago. It's been thundering for most the evening and I came downstairs after doing yoga (which we will discuss later) and when I glanced out the window it was orange. There was an orange hue over everything. It was weird and something I hadn't seen before.

It's supposed to storm tonight and I just heard there are major flood warnings so it looks like it will be a good one. I mostly enjoy storms and I'm ready for something to break the heat so my room isn't so stifling!