Christmas 2011

So I quit my job to be able to spend the holidays with family and instead most of the time I spent the holidays wishing I had a job.  With some things going on in our lives besides me not having a job, money was tight and the Christmas spirit just wasn't there for Grant and I this year.  Grant had been dealing with a cold also which seems to put a damper on things as well.  Santa did not come this year which was the second year in my life...first being the year my mom decided to just have him not show up (I was probably in my early 20's but he's a pretty big deal to me). Grant and I decided together that he wasn't coming this year but it was really hard even though he doesn't usually go over 30 dollars it's the spirit of Santa that makes it exciting=) I really do believe Jesus is the reason for the season and if not for his birth we wouldn't even be where we are today as humans but I'm human and I guess a part of me wants a little bit of the commercial humdrum of it all....it pains me to have to admit that! So we packed up our car early Friday morning and headed to Eagle Bend, MN (Grant's hometown) and had family dinner and gift opening.  Saturday we headed to Fargo/Moorhead where we got to visit with my friend Sharon and spend the evening with Grant's family at his grandparents house.  Grant's family is insanely normal and right out of a Norman Rockwell picture.  Everyone gathers around and Grandma read the Christmas story out of the bible, we sang Christmas carols as Grant's aunt played the piano, Rick (Grant's father) read a story, which he reads every year written by an author from ND I believe and Grant's grandfather told stories and sang a song. We all gathered for church at a little church in the middle of nowhere and sat through a nice traditional service.  Grant said church helped him get the spirit a little more but for me it was still lost.  Sunday we went to my mom's house and what usually ends in my mom and I fighting ended with a civil day together....granted there was enough to be done and enough people to buffer any possible blow-up.
I don't know if the old saying is true that Christmas is better when through a child's eyes but if so it makes me sad we've lost that child in us and not having and probably never having children we may not get that back.  I also don't want my Christmas to be good or bad based on what I received or didn't receive how much money is available etc...it honestly pains me to say that although I feel I'm above all that I may not be.  Santa, who has always been something I choose to believe in the magic of and still "believe" in has always been the way Grant and I exchange something (we personally don't believe in using Christmas as an excuse for giving something big). This year agreeing to not do it seemed to take so much away and that in itself makes me wonder about myself...ugh. I really hope next year I have a good job and the spirit of Christmas is something we both can recapture

My New Addiction

I discovered JJ Heller through her song "Your hands" being on the radio station I listen to.  Her voice is like crack to me..I just can't stop listening to her.  I wanted to share a few of my favorite songs and hope you enjoy her as well.

And another job bites the dust

I'm no longer a red and khaki girl and as good as it's suppose to feel it is uncomfortable.  I left my comfort zone to be challenged and set myself up for another stage of my life.  I have been feeling a pull for quite sometime from God that my time was up and I need to step out of my comfort zone and be challenged.  Of course he really challenged me when it came to choosing my job over family.  I obviously don't want to make him angry that I didn't  listen to him nor do I want to  have my own regrets later so I did what I thought was right.  I'm quickly learning what is right is not always easy and although his timing on challenges in life are always perfect man it doesn't feel perfect right now.  I wake up every morning at 6ish am and just want to take on the world and I have nothing to take on.  My body falls back into bed and I lie there asking "what in the world am I suppose to be doing God?" I also think how my father is washing guilt over me from his grave.  I was raised to have good work ethic and to always work.  One doesn't take a penny from the govt. no matter how poor you are.  Not that I'm taking anything from the govt. but the strong conservative in me is drowning with guilt right now for not working and paying my dues per say.  I feel so liberal (I know I lost a little chunk of my soul as well when I said that) taking time to "find myself" I remember many years ago Oprah had a segment on woman who would take sabbaticals from there family.  Not saying I could ever do this but I can see where one just needs time to reflect on their purpose and do a lot of praying on what God wants to do with their life.  So although I'm at a super rough stage in my life and I cry a gallon bucket of tears everyday I know I'm on the path to where I'm suppose to be and when that right thing comes along I'll be free with open arms to welcome it!

Craft Day Part II

I want to make these as chimes...who's ready for craft day part II?

Life, Jobs, and Time

*WARNING* This particular posting may get somewhat deep and I will apologize for that up front.  Sometimes we post happy things like how much we love karaoke, and other days we just don't feel like karaoke...like today.

Yesterday I took a huge leap of faith...I put in my notice at work without anything concrete on the back burner.  It's not something that was done irrational because someone made me mad one day, it's something I've been thinking about for quite some time. In the last week my husband and I came to the conclusion that it was indeed time. 
It has been 3 years since we have spent an actual holiday with our family.  We've put work always in front of them.  This year with the opportunity to spend both Thanksgiving and Christmas with our family, I had a huge decision to make after finding out last week that the current team I work on works Thanksgiving day. Grant and I also take the week after Christmas off to have Christmas with our family and this year he cannot but instead gets Thursday the 22nd through the 25th off.  At my place of work this is not an option, again leaving me with a difficult decision.  As Grant and I have been taking this relationship class at church, and learning about the importance of every relationship in our life; deciding what I want to remember about the decisions I made in my life, I decided to choose family.  Grant said to me last night "Trudy, God does have bigger and better things for you."....Man, I hope he's right!  Having faith is putting all your trust in God that he knows what is best and and trusting him to do so... so here it goes=D As many of you can relate, comfort in one's life and surroundings is an amazing thing that keeps us easily distracted from what God may really want for us.  Career wise, I always thought God wanted me to be a wife, mother and take care of the roost. When I found out he had decided differently, and that was what I wanted, I had to decide what my purpose was.  I'm still deciding but came up with using my positive energy to create positiveness in others.  When I see that I just cannot do that anymore where I'm at and the negativity is having it's affect on me instead,  I feel it's time to move on. I posted earlier how I'd love to be a receptionist and be the one who greets people as they come in and somehow make an impact on people's day with cheer.  Seriously though, have you ever walked into an office setting, was greeted by a grump who had her way by setting your mood for the day???...or quite possibly a sales clerk anywhere can have this impact. 
I just want to clarify that this is not easy for me. It seems because I am the type of person who does always think about how I'm going to affect another and have decided that in life it's very important to wear that happy face not only for others but for yourself I get pegged as "the girl who's always happy"  Yes, there is a time for us all to be sad and show others other emotions as well and I do this.  People always say, "your always so happy" "Are you ever in a bad mood?" To that I often think to myself, 'person, put yourself in my situation where no one that I know of in my family cannot have children but me. I have to look at pictures everyday on FB, Christmas cards etc of everyone having fun with their children and being blessed daily by what the child in their life does and living the life I've always dreamed of and then you tell me if you think I'm happy all the time' I have to go out and find a job that I don't really want to do, but because this is what God has chose for me instead of just giving me what I want, I have to do what normal people do at my age...work outside the home.  The idea of crafting, belonging to mommy groups, picking my kids up at school and having them run to the car is what I have to accept is not in the cards for me at this point in my life when I want it to be.  This is where I tell you that my faith can move mountains because with my faith I get down in the dumps often about this but it keeps me strong at the same time and able to stay positive knowing that God does have some sort of plan for me and that in itself is exciting!
 TOLD YOU IT MAY GET DEEP!





For those of you who are a friend of mine on facebook I posted a portion of this earlier. I thought it was a good read and was relevant for me right now. 

First Thing Every Morning


If you had a bank that credited your account each morning with $86,400 - with no balance carried from day to day - what would you do? Well, you do have such a bank...time.

Every morning it credits you with 86,400 seconds. Every night it rules off as "lost" whatever you have failed to use toward good purposes. It carries over no balances and allows no overdrafts. You can't hoard it, save it, store it, loan it or invest it. You can only use it - time.

Here's a story that drives the point home.

Arthur Berry was described by Time as "the slickest second-story man in the East," truly one of the most famous jewel thieves of all times. In his years of crime, he committed as many as 150 burglaries and stole jewels valued between $5 and $10 million. He seldom robbed from anyone not listed in the Social Register and often did his work in a tuxedo. On an occasion or two, when caught in the act of a crime by a victim, he charmed his way out of being reported to the police.

Like most people who engage in a life of crime, he was eventually caught, convicted and served 25 years in prison for his crimes. Following his release, he worked as a counterman in a roadside restaurant on the East Coast for $50 a week.

A newspaper reporter found him and interviewed him about his life. After telling about the thrilling episodes of his life he came to the conclusion of the interview saying, "I am not good at morals. But early in my life I was intelligent and clever, and I got along well with people. I think I could have made something of my life, but I didn't. So when you write the story of my life, when you tell people about all the burglaries, don't leave out the biggest one of all... Don't just tell them I robbed Jesse Livermore, the Wall Street baron or the cousin of the king of England. You tell them Arthur Berry robbed Arthur Berry."
Here are six terrific truths about time:

First: Nobody can manage time. But you can manage those things that take up your time.

Second: Time is expensive. As a matter of fact, 80 percent of our day is spent on those things or those people that only bring us two percent of our results.

Third: Time is perishable. It cannot be saved for later use.

Fourth: Time is measurable. Everybody has the same amount of time...pauper or king. It is not how much time you have; it is how much you use.

Fifth: Time is irreplaceable. We never make back time once it is gone.

Sixth: Time is a priority. You have enough time for anything in the world, so long as it ranks high enough among your priorities.


*What you've just read is an excerpt from First Thing Every Morning by Lewis Timberlake.

Karaoke Love

I love karaoke! Those who know me, know this about me...those who know me a little bit, probably know this about me...those who don't know me and are reading this, well now you do.  People always tell me when I ask them to sing karaoke.."but I'm not a good singer"...isn't that the joy of karaoke...you don't have to be good but still get to feel like a super star?? I'm fortunate to have a husband who likes it as well (notice I did not put love).  When we moved into our house in White Bear Lake we bought our first karaoke machine and sang in our basement ALL the time!  When we met our neighbors across the street they mentioned they saw us through the window singing which led us to explain that no we were not professional singers practicing, we were karaoke addicts! My friend Sarah shares my love of karaoke...it's awesome!
So if you ever want someone to sing karaoke with I'm your gal.  I have my own machine and a pretty good array of music as well... now I'm in the mood to sing...guess what I'll be doing tonight=D

So for our sporadic pescatarian (eats seafood but no other meat) month I caught a few images of some of the things I made:
note: yes the plates are old and I purposely look for them at thrift stores cause I LOVE them!..Grant not so much...he says to stop bringing in that 70's stuff=D

So just because you eat vegetarian doesn't mean that you eat healthy...which is true for us more than we would like.  This here is a recipe from my friend Sharon.  On an egg roll wrap set in front of you diamond shaped you lay down piece of havarti cheese, a pickle spear on top of that and sprinkle with a lil dill weed. Roll up like the pictures on the package tell you and seal seams with beaten egg around the edges.  Fry up and serve with ranch...DELICIOUS!  

This is the soup I mentioned in an earlier blog.  Vegetable broth, carrots, celery and cheese tortellini to add volume...mmmm=)

I heart stir fry!  I put like every vegetable imaginable...Broccoli, cauliflower, pea pods, onion, celery, carrots, peppers, chestnuts, bamboo shoots... and I use a stir fry mix.  If you out there in blog land have a good stir fry sauce recipe please let me know! My friend Janet turned me onto Quinoa and that's what I use instead of rice now.  I don't like brown rice so this is my "healthy" alternative to white rice.

Special K bars...yep, vegetarian=)

Pet peeve

Probably one of my biggest pet peeves is when your standing in line, a cashier comes to a register and says "I can help the next person" and someone who just got there runs over leaving the person who is next in line and been waiting to wait longer.  It happened at noodles and company the other day and it happens all the time.  To me it's budging and childish.  What makes your time more valuable than mine?  When I go up to cashier I always purposely grab the next person in line so this doesn't happen and boy do I get looks...REALLY? I did have a gentleman at kwik trip tell me "your next you can go" so there are good people who understand what next in line means.
 

Gnomie Love

Many know of my love for gnomies and I came across this picture and fell in love with it...ahhhhh:)

Becoming a vegetarian part II

  We ate meat.  Although for me I did reduce the amount of meat I ate significantly, Grant loves his McDonalds and quite simply he's a meat and potatoes boy.  I'm going to continue to eat a lot less meat but believe it will still be in my diet occasionally which I feel good about.  One recipe I made meatless was a soup.  I make chicken noodle soup frequently.  Instead I made a vegetarian soup:
Vegetable broth
Carrots
Celery
Cheese tortellini

We also did more with shrimp which is technically pescotarian, not vegetarian.  I have not got my self to buy a 5.50 box of hemp milk to retry it so I've just been drinking cows milk but not as much. 

So with that I'm a girl that dreams of being a pescotarian and but will be an occasional meat eating girl instead=)

becoming a Vegetarian???

So I've been toying with the idea of eating a lot less meat to not eating it at all.  Well I have my hubby on board with me to try it for a month.  We will still eat seafood but no land animals. Also am going to drink no cow milk which I love but I also like rice milk.  I'm not a huge fan of soy or almond milk straight up.  I tried hemp a long time ago and don't remember if I liked it and I have yet to try coconut which will be something I do soon.  When I had my surgery in that first two months I lost 22lbs.  I haven't stepped on a scale but I'm sure that with my appetite back the lbs came back as well. I know that doesn't have to do with meat per say but I hate not feeling healthy and after I eat meat I don't feel healthy.  I'm super excited about eating lots of veggies and fruit cause I personally LOVE them.  This is going to be a lot more difficult for Grant but am excited that he's acting excited about it.  I told him if nothing else special k bars don't have meat=D I've been watching many documentaries pertaining to health and 2 that really had an impact on me were Food Matters and fork over knife.  So here's to hoping that we can do it and it sticks.  The month starts on Monday so any prayers, suggestions and motivation would be most awesome!

Food Matters (I think I posted this before but what the heck it pertains to the post)

Fork over Knife

My biggest dream: The Simple Life

I really want to embrace a simpler life.  One in which just being with my hubby and reading a book on the deck/patio is a daily routine.  I don't want to have lots of money, but just enough to be comfortable.  I don't want to have lots of possessions but a few things to make our little home cozy.  I recently finished my dream book and every picture that appealed to me of living spaces were little and had cozy outdoors.  Ever see the movie The Holiday? Think the little cottage in England=)..Jack Black was super cute in that movie but onto more of my dream=D  I want to move to a climate where I can enjoy my outdoors most days of the year and thus far have found San Diego to be the closest to that....(have any low humidity not blasted hot in the summer ideas, let us know!) I really think that's what is  important in this life; having close relationships with our families and friends. The want of nice houses, cars, etc put us at work so much more and farther from what's important.  So I'm making this my ultimate dream and hoping I get this dream by age 40.  It may not happen in the next year or two years but I do plan to make this happen!


Love this house for it's uniqueness and it would look lovely with Gnomies in the yard=)

Comfy, entertaining, and could definitely find your table set at a yard sale!

What Makes My heart Beat

Here are my answers to the above list.  This is going in my dream book and I thought I'd share it with y'all=)

1. Trudy Renee Hest
2. Born in Fargo, ND Currently live in Appleton, WI
3. I work at Target.
4. In no specific order: Nieces and Nephews, Camping, God, Husband, My dogs Scrapbooking
5. Bringing Joy to others
6. AHHHHHHHH!!!
7. I value my marriage, my special relationship with my niece Amber, my relationship with God. My dogs are very precious to me. They help fill that void of not being able to have children.
8. Fashion:
I’m a very simple fashionista. I like solid colored cardigans a lot. I like flowing skirts, funky socks, Danskos and flip flops, beige Victoria Secret bras and Grandma panties.
Music:
When it comes to music I like folksy singer songwriters. I like music I can relax to and have on in the background. I like my music to have a creative force behind the music.
Life:
My life is boring and I’ve come to like it that way more and more. I used to want to be doing something most of the time and be the life of a party but now I’m fine being in the background and not even attending the party. I have a wonderful and husband and dogs to spend my life with but have a horrible void of not having children in my life.
9. Everything happens for a reason and that reason is God’s way of teaching us about life. I honestly believe one cannot have true happiness in life without faith in a higher power. That faith is what fills up ones soul and gives us reason to live everyday and gets us through hard times.
10. I dream of doing something substantial with my life. Working at Target is not that. I want to bring joy to people and lighten people up. People live life so seriously and don’t have enough fun…I’m here to show people life can be lived with joy and fun! Right now I would love to answer phones and be the smiling face greeting people behind a receptionist desk. When people go into any kind of office, if they’re greeted by a person without cheer that can really impact ones hour or even day….I want to make someone’s day! I am currently looking at new job opportunities to do just this.

The Me I Want To Be

I've started reading John Ortenberg's book The Me I Want To Be. I've been in a horrible rut lately.  I'm not at the job I want to be and it's really wearing on my soul.  Grant who is awesome at playing tough love with me was dropping me off at work one day.  I looked up at the Target sign and instantly started crying saying "I just cannot do this anymore Grant!" He gave it to me and said..."Then do something about it!" That hit me like a ton of bricks but worked.  I've been looking, and even actually have the confidence that I am worth more than going to work at a place I no longer feel passionate about.  That's hard for me because I always have this inner voice that screams at me "your no better than a retail job" or "you never finished your college degree how do you expect to do anything else!" we are our worst critics after all. I'm not a depressed person on a normal basis (trust me, I used to be and it was a horrible way to spend my life), but when something or someone gets to me I can let it eat me up and consume my every waking moment and work is doing this very thing to me now.  I then let bitterness take over my thoughts and it's kinda funny cause every bitter thought I follow with a pratical thought of how good my life actually is. It's like I tell myself that I should be bitter cause I cannot have a child and I probably will not , and then I get bitter, but then find myself wondering why because God has blessed me with such awesome nieces and nephews.  I'm at constant battle with myself and it's quite strange.  In the clip below he talks about how God has self designed our temperment and although we may want to be someone else, we won't be.  I've always wished I wasn't so loud and open but I am, that's me and I'm learning to love who I am.  Some may not like it and I get hushed a lot and weird looks but that's me and I cannot be someone else as much as I've tried.  In the clips he stated two lists we make, I should be.... and I am.  Well here is my lists:
I should be:
More Quiet
Assertive
Have a college degree
have a want to be more successful
A mom
Not Divorced
Have had a wonderful one time wedding of my dreams
Closer to my sisters
Cook More
Thinner


I am:
Loud and crazy
"just" a target employee
Not a mom but an aunt
Divorced
a person without wedding photos
not close to my siblings
a girl who eats out to much and allows my husband to do the same
overweight
generous
passive
very in touch with my emotions
not someone who ever wants to be in charge but wants a job that feels fullfilling
not good with money
not confident
good listener
Not going to tell your secret


So as I was talking to my cousin Tricia the other night about an I am list I've decided I'm going to make a I am list of just things I want to be and am but nothing negative.  So once I sit down and make it I will share it beings I am an open person(: I would take the time and watch this clip and read the book.  Very good stuff


http://www.themeiwanttobe.com/index.php

I'm in a musical Mood part II

I didn't want to make one long forever post so thought I'd split it up so let us continue...

Favorite Christian Songs:

Better Than a Halleluja by Amy Grant

Breathe by Rebecca St. James

Amazing Grace by Chris Tomlin

I also love How Great is our God by him

Favorite Love Songs:

                                                              Let me warn you I dont have traditional
                                                              love song taste as most=D

Ice Cream by Sarah McLachlan

Voice of an Angel...love her!!!

Pecan Pie by Golden Smog

Not the best version but it is from St. Paul so I had to use it=D

Take me as I am by Wyclef

Today's music or within the last 5 yearsish

Price Tag by Xenia

I heard this for the first time on the voice and I don't like the original just this version

Hide N Seek by Imogen Heap

It's from 2005 but it's more recent than a lot of stuff I like so I'm going to call it recent

Breakeven by the Script

I have grown to love love this band! 

I'm in a musical mood!

I know that this is going to age me a bit  but geez there just really isn't good music today like there was in the 90's and before.  I feel for kids who all they have to listen to is hiphop/rap.  Don't get me wrong I love to workout to the stuff but otherwise I want my old school music.  I do tend to like singer songwriters the most. I tried to categorize them... The following are some of my favorite songs and I may miss a few cause I have a lot but these are some that pop in to my head.....

Shawn Mullins, Shimmer
Singer/Songwriter
Grant and I have seen him twice and LOVE him!  He is a fabulous songwriter and storyteller!

Fall On Me, R.E.M
Band
R.E.M has been my favorite band since 6th grade.  I used to believe I would really marry Michael Stipe and we'd live happily ever after and I'd drive an old orange volvo station wagon and we'd live in warm athens, GA.  Well the good lord had different plans for me but I still think they're legendary!  I own over 30 Cd's including interview and imports. 

Take on me by Aha
80's
There is just something about this one hit wonder I have always loved.  I used to request to sing it karaoke just to hear it but slaughtered it cause who really can sing that high??

Smiling Face by James Taylor
Lift my spirits
I love love love JT!!!  I love watching him when he was young and now that he's older!  I have a major crush on him! One of my favorite get happy songs

With my own two hands by Ben Harper

Lift my spirits

Sexy man sexy voice and I just heart him!

Mellissa by the Allman Brothers

Vintage

This song was introduced to me by my college friend Sarah.

Up on Cripple Creek by the Band

Vintage

Nothing really to note about this song except that I love it and it makes me happy and nod my head

My Love of Kids Music

Today I put together my kids craft binder, set up the little room in the basement as a craft room and put together a kids play list. I'm super excited to have my niece here and do all kinds of creative stuff along with dance and sing! Below are a couple of my favorite kid songs...if you have children  and have some song suggestions for me by all means share them with me!

I could only find a live version of this song.  It's Bottle of Sunshine by Milkshake!  Love them!

I love to do this dance! You can't not smile while doing it!

Fun song for anytime of the year not just Halloween..Trust me!

One of my favorite all time movies and my favorite song off of this soundtrack! 

There are many other kid songs I love and if I get time I will post some more for those with kids who want to get up dance and sing=)....or like me that doesn't have kids but still likes to connect with the inner child

New Ways I've Found to be More Green

Those who know me, know I'm always looking to make my own products for around the house and do away with the toxic counterpart.  This past week I cleared out all chemicals I had left from under my sink and will be putting it in a garage sale next month.  I made a vow that if I need something to clean, get a stain out etc..with I will find the safe non-toxic way in doing it.  So I finally went through a book I bought at a book sale and found some new ideas:

The First two are ones I was still buying but don't have to any longer...WOOT WOOT!

Dishwasher's Soap:

3/4 C Castile Soap (I bought the organic Dr. Bronners at Target)
1/2 C Water
5-10 drops lavender or rosemary essential oil (I got lavender scented castile soap so I probably won't add this)

Dusting Spray:

1/4 C Vinegar
3 drops olive or Jojoba oil
3-5 drops essential oil

All Purpose Spray

1 C Vinegar
2 t Borax
1/2 t castile soap
2 C Hot  Water
Shake in a spray bottle.  Keeps indefinitely.  I posted a recipe for all purpose spray in one of my first posts and this one just doesn't use the dish soap. If you've used and tried the other recipe (I LOVE it)!, I would guess you could follow it and just use the above dishwashers soap you make.

Dishwasher Cleaner

1 C Vinegar

Place in dishwasher safe cup on top rack and run on rinse cycle.  I tried it and I was very pleased with the results!

*To clean the drains in your home once a week pour a teakettle of boiling water down the drain. To deodorize or open up a slow running drain pour a 1/2 C baking soda and then a 1/2 C Vinegar in drain then cover with wet rag.  Let fizz 5 minutes and flush with boiling water
*To disinfect and sharpen disposal blades, freeze white distilled vinegar in ice cube tray and grind cubes while running water

Natural Shoe Polish

Grant uses shoe polish so I was excited about this!
Dime size of jojoba oil and a squirt of lemon to an old tshirt.  Rub mix in a circular motion and then buff shoes with clean end of tshirt

Baked on Food

1/4 C baking soda
Boiling water
Soak overnight

Burned Pots

1/4 C table salt

cold water
Stir and sit overnight

Tips:

For my windows I bought an Eco-cloth and LOVE it! No streaks and gets my windows and mirrors clean with just water!

When shopping avoid buying items in plastics with these numbers on them
3, 6, and 7
these are know as the "bad" plastics

I have a green recipe book on my flash drive ready to print out at anytime with all the recipes I use and love so feel free to give me your address and I'll send you one or however many you want!  I love sharing what I've researched to be some awesome green ways to clean and help others jump on the bandwagon as well! Of course my recipes are printed on 100% recycled printing paper and it's put in a 100% recycled folder

Documentary Recommendations

So I was reading my earlier post about all I wanted to accomplish the 3 weeks I'm off work.  Well I'm down to this being my last week (insert tear here) and oops haven't got a whole lot of it done!  I've done some major dream booking my first week home then nothing. Today I'm doing more dreambooking though.  I spent a day watching documentaries that were not on my movie list and was enlightened! Here is my run down on them:

No Impact Man

I loved this one!  I was and am super inspired to live even more green than before.  As many know we make all our own cleaning supplies except for laundry soap (which I used to) and dish soap, which my bottle now is my last boughten.  I do use seventh generation so hopefully they're as good of a company as they say they are.  I've been doing a little more research on some toxins I can still cut out of the home and I will share in a later post. I honestly didn't think anything they did was crazy or things that we could all practice.  I really want to start a no electricity night a few nights a week and play games by candlelight...soy of course=)

Modify

If you watch this you can be easily grossed out because some things gave me the willies!  I did not know people did such crazy things with their body. Very interesting and if your interested in weird things people do with their bodies it's for you

Food Matters

I've watched enough food documentaries to not eat McDonald's or any other nasty ground up sh*&  This was not so much to gross one out like food inc but was more educational about how food correlates with so much of how we feel mentally and physically. I highly recommend this!

Fall From Grace

This film is about the Westbro Baptist church in Kansas (I believe).  The pastor there and his followers (mostly his family) picket at homosexual events and funerals of fallen soldiers.  It's everything to me as a Christian that we are not and people who see this as the way they think Christians are is very sad to me.  I was deeply disturbed by the children being taught such hatred.  Interesting that people think this way and it should make you angry if you decide to watch it.

I've also watched Lisa Ling's Our America series on the OWN network and they are wonderful!  I watched one on the heroin epidemic in Richmond Co Ohio, one on Sex Offenders, One on Praying the Gay away, One on Faith Healers.  Makes one look at both sides of a situation.  I'd suggest trying to watch any of these. 

So there you have it..hopefully my laziness has benefited someone in someway=D

Are you getting nervous???

So one of the most common questions I'm getting asked is ..."so, are you getting nervous?" I think I have psyched myself so into that it's going to be ok and it's going to make me a more healthy individual that I'm not nervous at all...HONESTLY.  The thing that makes me nervous is having a nightmare while I'm out and not being able to wake up because obviously the anesthesiologist won't allow that. And today it was brought up to me (thanks Torri) that it's on Friday the 13th, doesn't even phase me...but shouldn't it??? I'm not even worried about the new diet I have to follow because I feel I've prepared my phychi into that this is going to be ok.  So nope not nervous, think I'll be ok.  And remember I would love visitors to pass time.  I'm going to have soda, water and snacks here for those who come on by=D We have netflix and lots of movies or just a visit would be awesome!
My address is
N9692 Hopfensperger Rd
Appleton Wi 54915
My Cell
920.217.8210

My 3 week plan

A week from tonight I will be laid up in the hospital.  I'm so excited to have this done and feel better!  I've been and plan on cleaning and organizing every inch of my home before then so I don't try to clean while home.  I do plan to get some "fun" things done while laid up though.  One thing I don't do is take time to do the little things.  Grant and I are lazy tv watchers.  So the following is a list of things I want to get done while laid up.  Hopefully having this down in print will make me stick to it!

* Read Books: I have my Glenn Beck book, 3 new Mother Theresa books and 3 unread Max Lucado books.  I very rarely take the time to read.  One big reason is it really makes me sleepy instantly....it's a natural sleeping aid. 
* Make a new cookbook: My cousin Tricia is coming the weekend after my surgery and she suggested it and I think she's on to something!  We are going to devise recipes with the what seems like so little I can eat.  I also would like to put together a cookbook of recipes I love for others. 
*Work on my dream book: I haven't done this in FOREVER! I need to dream and have a guide to what I want in life.  My big goal right now is getting out of retail by the end of the year.  I need to visualize that and plan out my journey to the success in that goal.
*Scrapbook: Holy man do I have pictures up the wazoo that need to be scrapbooked! I haven't sat down and taken the time to do this either for such a long time.  I want to get to the point where I never have pictures sitting out of a beautiful scrapbooked page.  Within a week of taking pics, I scrapbook them.  This is a goal thats going to be difficult but attainable. 
*Make a birthday/Anniversary book: I want to be better at sending out cards...ON TIME!  My poor little neices and nephews hardly ever see their birthday gifts within a month of their birthday!  If your reading this PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE give me your birthday and anniversary.  Even if I see you once a year I want it!
*Organize my craft book: I have a binder of torn out pages to crafts and projects I would love to do.  I want to organize this and again by years end have a monthly craft day.  I would love to have a second one in a month for kids craft day as well.  If either one is something you reading this would love to get involved in let me know!
*Watch suggested movies: Grant's friend Scott suggested some must see movies for me and I need to work on that list.  Grant also wants to make me a list.  If you the reader have any good movie suggestions let me know.  I will say I"m not into high action packed films or far out there alien films as well.  I like quirky though;)
I think this is the end of the list.  Wish me luck and I'll keep you updated on my progress.  AGAIN, I'm laid up for 3 weeks so if anyone would like to join me in any of these little plans or just to stop and visit come on by!

May 13th, 2011

On May 13th 2011 my life is going to change a little bit..ok, a lot bit!  I'm having a procedure done where the surgeon will take the  upper part of my stomach and tie it around my esophogus.  I've dealt with heartburn since 2003 and it's gotten worse and worse...so much so where I vomit cause it burns so bad.  I take 3 different medications and they just arent doing the trick anymore.  My stomach Dr. told me that the esophogus needs to be closed up last September and I wasn't quite ready then.  Beings my stomach will be shrinking so will the amount of food I can consume and the variety.  No more carbonation, meaning no more soda...EVER! The ability to burp will be lost and the gas will just sit in the stomach and be very painful.  I love my soda and this will by far be the hardest thing for me.  Very little amount of meat chewed to an applesauce consistency. No citrus fruits, raw vegetables, anything from the cabbage family, onions, garlic...etc...one can get the picture. The surgeon said that many report having problems digesting so it's important to try and stick to the diet.  Also very important to eat small portions so I don't stretch the stomach and "disconnect" the stomach stitching.   I'm ready for it now though.  I can no longer live with constant heartburn day after day and what its doing to my insides.  I'll be out of work for 3 weeks  and in the hospital for 3 days.  It is being done laproscopic.  If they had to make an incision that would mean a longer hospital stay and 6 weeks out of work.  So that's that. While I'm laid up I welcome anyone who wants to come watch movies.  Hopefully a week or so in I can sit up enough to do some scrapbooking....Just don't be expecting any elaborate meals=D
Below is a short video of the procedure if anyone is curious, has extra time or likes seeing insides ripped up...it actually doesn't look to horrible

6 Days of Birthday

It's taken me awhile to post again but alas, here is the next 5 days of birthday....


Day 3 was the newest Glenn Beck book.  I heart Glenn Beck (being the staunt conservative I am) and love inspiring books so this was perfect

Day 4 was this cookbook.  Very cool idea for women with men like mine who dislike anything healthy

Day 5 was Beverly Hills Chiuahua II!  Lola loved it also!

And Day 6 my actual birthday was the rockband keyboard.  I love playing it!  It can also be used as the bass.

 My actual birthday he brought me lunch from Panera to work along with flowers and cupcakes he made for me to share=D He brought me for dinner to Nakashima which is both our favorites so it was a win win.
I am truly blessed with a husband that knows that little things are what matter and who takes the time to think of a all these little things!

6 Days of Birthday

Every year since we been together Grant gives me a little something  everyday a week before my birthday.  Beings I'm a very simple girl it really doesn't break the pocket book and all the little things are so thoughtful! 

Day 1

I got this cute little book and strawberry shortcake lipglosses and finger nail polish kit!  He even read the book to me=D

Day 2

33 and holding

Every year I throw myself a birthday party. I go all out with food, drinks, Karaoke...probably about $200 worth of party. When I was young my sister Dawn did all the birthday stuff. My mom usually always forgets my birthday. I call her every year to remind her and get a happy birthday from her because if I didn't I would be bitter for weeks she didn't wish me a happy birthday so I just make it happen. I've always been the one to remember birthdays and to try and make them super special for people. I feel birthdays are super important...it's the one day you can feel a reason to spoil yourself and feel uber important. I love that I can get people together and have a good time.


This year, for the first year I can remember I'm not throwing myself a party. I'm kinda going to skip my birthday. I'm even going to work on my birthday.  I get to stressed out days before cleaning and making everything fall into place only to be so super stressed out the day of and I just don't want to do it anymore. Then there's always the people who make up the excuses not to come or say they will be there  instead of just saying it doesn't work out for them. Or you find out the people you thought were important to you don't even make an effort to come and you feel disapointed. I just need to concentrate on a no more drama 2011. I always have lots of fun at my parties but just need a year or few off from it. Don't worry people I throw parties for, I still plan on it=D

2011 thus far

Why is it at the start of every new year we have these high expectations? January 1st is just another day on the calendar eh? Well I to fall in the trap of believing that January 1st is some miracle day.  This year I had simple resolutions as well; start a craft club, go to California,  keep on the path of natural eating, etc.. I'm not asking myself to drop 50lbs or anything crazy like that! Well we went back to MN and ND the week after Christmas and stayed in homes of cat owners.  I wheez, cough, sneeze, lets just say it's an icky mess but the stay is cheap.   Well since we've been back I've missed 2 days of work in 2011 which I believe I only missed one last year. Having to call into work is one of the most painful things for me to do but like Grant said sometimes you have to worry about yourself and just get better!  I think the kitties did havoc on my immune system and left me open to more icky things to come (this is my conclusion anyway).  Last week our faithful little ford focus decided to poop out on us.  We feel it may be more than we want to put into it but until we get it to the car service people we are back to one vehicle.  We got by with one vehicle for 6 years but now that we have had the glory of owning two it's a hard thing to get used to.. especially when I had to be to work at 4am last week. Our hours never match up and with retail are never the same day to day. My brother in law passed away last week which has caused some commotion in an already unstable family, then yesterday I find out my niece had her appendix removed.  REALLY TWENTY ELEVEN! So with all of that California is out of the picture because getting another car by the summer is now on the to do list and having to be open to both our schedules now craft club may have to wait as well. 
Now with all that being said and sounding quite beaten down I'm staying positive knowing God has his plan and I'm still feeling that wonderful feeling of blessings for no serious illness for Grant and I, being able to put food on the table and having shelter! I have the love of a wonderful man and two super cute puppies and although I have an annoying lingering cough I still have overall good health! 2011 is not going to get me down and I'm going to face it with immense positivity so watch out!
Hope everyone is having a GREAT new year!

New Years Resolution

As most of you reading this, I'm making a few resolutions for the new year. 

Give More
Spend Less
Go to California
Quit Retail
Continue on the road to Living a more organic healthy lifestyle
Start a craft group
Read more

A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds: "What does love mean?"
The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. See what you think...
_____
"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love."
Rebecca - age 8
_____
"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth."
Billy - age 4
_____
"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired."
Terri - age 4
_____
"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK."
Danny - age 7
_____
"Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss."
Emily - age 8
_____
"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen."
Bobby - age 7 (Wow!)
_____
"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate."
Nikka - age 6 (we need a few million more Nikka's on this planet)
_____
"Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday."
Noelle - age 7
_____
"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well."
Tommy - age 6
_____
"During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling.
He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore."
Cindy - age 8
_____
"Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken."
Elaine - age 5
_____
"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford."
Chris - age 7
_____
"Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day."
Mary Ann - age 4
_____
"I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones." (Now THIS is love!)
Lauren - age 4
_____
"When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you." (what an image!)
Karen - age 7
_____
"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross."
Mark - age 6
_____
"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget."
Jessica - age 8
_____
And the final one...
Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child.
The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife.
Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there.
When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said,
"Nothing, I just helped him cry."