Friday, December 31, 2010

Goodbye 2010, Hello 2011

I am ready to start 2011 in a more positive way than I started in 2010. Even though I don't feel well today, fighting another bought of a cough and body aches, I won't let it get me down. I am picking myself up and doing something on my last day of 2010 that counts. I don't have any major plans to ring in the New Year. I am going to spend a few hours tonight watching Abby & Jack. My hubby will probably be in his lazy boy chair snoring. I feel like the new year is going to bring more jobs to people who need them. And I hope and pray my business picks up so we can call back the ones we had to lay off. I am looking forward to improving my health and well being by eating more sensibly and making it to Curves at least 4 times per week. My hope for you is a Happy & Healthy 2011 and may God bless you in ways you never thought possible. Ring in the New Year in a safe way and enjoy!
Now, share your New Year's Eve plans.....

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

The Power is mine

I had no desire to start a weight loss challenge 3 days before the New Year. I was going to start hard and heavy on Jan. 1, along with millions of other people, but my bestest bloggy buddy, Nancy, invited me to do this challenge with her. I feel like this is just what I need to get in gear for a healthier new year. The Shrinking Jeans have this new Challenge going on starting today and ending Feb. 23. This Challenge is all about being Number One and the Power we have in ourselves. We will weigh in every Wednesday and report our loss or gain. Hopefully I can report all losses. We are suppose to take a before picture. I have a list of 10 goals I am setting for myself during this challenge.
1. continue going to Curves every day the doors are open.
2. sit-ups on the exercise ball before going to bed each night.
3. walking as much as possible during the day and less sitting around.
4. drinking more water during the day.
5. watching my portion sizes during meals.
6. eating more fruits and vegetables.
7. making smarter snack choices.
8. when eating out, pay attention to healthier selections.
9. tell myself every day that I am worth this and I deserve to be healthy and happy.
10. stay in touch with my fellow challengers and get encouraged and encourage them.

The Power is up to me. No One except myself can do this for me. I am worth it. I AM #1 and will do the best I can. Thank you Nancy for encouraging me to give this challenge a try. I really want to feel better and I know that eating right and exercising is the Key. Now, I am going to get this started and report back next Wednesday, with hopefully some good news. Anyone who reads this and wants to join Nancy and myself in this challenge, hop on board and join us.
Dec. 29, 2010 is my new starting date to a new and improved #1 Me. Cause I'm worth it!

Sunday, December 26, 2010

The story of the 2 Chairs

Once upon a time, this past Thanksgiving, the family was sitting around my dining room table after we ate with the newspaper sales adds spread all over like a table cloth. Son-in-law, Jeff, opened up the Big Lots store add and admired a "set" of walnut leather tub chairs. He got so excited and said he would really like to put them in his New Office, since he recently got a Big promotion and is trying to decorate his new office. Jeff is usually not a person to mention that he wants things and I knew this must be something very dear to his heart. My wheels starting spinning in my head of what he will be getting for Christmas from us. And the price was right.
Fast forward to 7am the day after Thanksgiving.....I went to Big Lots in search of the chairs. I spoke to the furniture guy letting him know that I wanted to buy the chairs but I could only fit one in my van and in order to use the $10 coupon that was in the paper, you had to use it only on the following Sunday. The guy said there were plenty of the chairs in the storage room and that would work. I told him I would be back, first thing on Sunday to buy the other chair. When I got home with the chair, I had this idea that we would wrap it up to look like a present and sit our small tree on top. We would wait until all the gifts were passed out and then tell Jeff that his gift was "under the tree". And have the second chair in another room.
So, I go to Big Lots to buy the second chair and there were NO walnut leather tub chairs to be found in that store. My heart sunk. The furniture guy looked in his computer to see if any other stores around had any. He even made a phone call. There were none to be had. He said he had no idea if they would be getting any more before or after Christmas. So, I didn't give up hope. I did a lot of praying and even stretched my hand towards Big Lots every time I passed it and prayed for another chair to appear. (I'm crazy like that). I figured if I couldn't find another chair, I could always return the one chair and get Jeff shirts and ties.
Fast forward to Thursday, Dec. 9....I was on my lunch hour and decided to run in another Big Lots near my work. I spoke to the "Angel" lady in the furniture department and told her my story and how I need to find another chair. She immediately started making phone calls to other Big Lot stores and looking in her computer found that 2 towns had them. The closest Big Lots that had another one was 56 miles away. She got the guy on the phone and told him of my desperation to find another chair. He said he had One and is only suppose to hold it for 24 hours but will hold it until the following Wednesday. Thank you Brian at the Oakbrook, IL., Big Lots! So, hubby and I decided to drive out there on Friday night after work to pick the chair up. We were about 20 miles down the road and I called Brian at Big Lots to let him know we were on our way. Well, Brian was not working that night and No one at the store could find the chair he put aside for me, after holding on the line for 15 min....So...I turned around and didn't go, that night. I did give the guy my phone number for Brian to call me. Well, the next night, I called to see if Brian was working and I was so happy when he answered my call. He knew who I was and said YES, come on out, the chair is there. I was never so happy.
We got there and paid and loaded up the chair. A big lesson was learned from this. Buy it when it's available. Sometimes a coupon is not worth it.
Fast forward Christmas Eve....After all the presents were handed out, I told Jeff I needed him to go get the gift that I left in the other room, which was the unwrapped chair. He went to get it and yelled "I can't believe this" he was so surprised and excited. He still didn't know he had another waiting wrapped under the tree. So he came back in the room where everyone was opening their gifts and I finally told him "your other present is under the tree"....he saw the size of the box and knew it was the other chair. I got lots of hugs from him afterwards and I felt like my prayers were answered.
And they all lived happily ever after......
The end

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Abigail's Gift

My grand-daughter, Abigail "Abby" is only 3 years old but has the maturity level of a much older gal. She made the FRONT page of our local newspaper. Please read to get the whole story....
My heart is swelled with pride at this story. We met her for dinner after her haircut and she said "Mimi do you like my new haircut"? I said "I LOVE it"! I told her she did a great deed and will make some one's Christmas oh so special. She kept touching her hair and flipping it back and was so happy about her new look. I rushed to the door this morning to look in the paper box outside to see the article and was so excited that she made the Front page. This made my Christmas so much more special. I am so proud of her!

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Gram's salt & pepper shakers still live on

I have a few very special treasures that belonged to my mother-in-law. One of the dearest to my heart is this little set of salt & pepper shakers. I can remember when "Gram" was alive, she would set out this cute set right after Thanksgiving at the start of getting ready for Christmas. I always admired them and got all warm inside when I would see them. They are made of hard plastic and very durable. All 7 of her grand kids at some point would play with them at the table and she was OK with this, but I could hear her say "be careful with the pepper and don't get any in your eyes". I had to retire them at being used for salt & pepper because the bottom to Santa fell off, but I still display them every Christmas as if they were filled.
I was at a store yesterday and came across this set of salt & pepper shakers that gave me that warm feeling inside and reminded me of Gram. I had to buy them.
I hope my grand kids will want to pick them up and play with them at the table. I will tell them "don't get pepper in your eyes". I love holding on to my memories of one of the classiest, special ladies that I had the pleasure of knowing. She was not only my mother-in-law, she was a Best Friend. If I could only be half the grandmother that she was, I will be oh so happy. So, this Christmas dinner, Gram's salt & pepper shakers will be joined by the new set and we will start building new memories and share them with the old memories.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

The wee little chairs


Once in a while I like going to the half price sale at our local Goodwill store. You never know what treasures you might find. Last year I found this adorable white round table with 2 chairs "For the size of a doll to sit in" and it was brand new, still in the box. Who would have known it would be the biggest hit at Mimi & Grampa's house? All the grand kids love to sit in the wee little chairs and have a tea party with their favorite bear, brother or sister. It amazes me how strong these little chairs are. They have been put through a lot of abuse. The table has a habit of tipping over and it is still holding up too.
I babysat for Jack last week and was looking to see where he ran off to and found him in the dining room playing tea party, sitting in the little chair. It reminds me of the story "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" when I see each one sit in the tiny chair. I hold my breath that it doesn't break down.
Abby & Jack stopped by a few nights ago and the first thing they wanted to do was have a tea party and sit in the wee little chairs.
I hope they hold up for my Great Grand kids....

Monday, December 6, 2010

My Christmas wish list

The older I get the less I want. I'm a very easy gift receiver pleaser. If you know me, since becoming a Mimi 9 years ago, my favorite gift is always a framed picture of my grandkids or kids. For fun, I thought I would compile a list of things that I would want or need this Christmas. I would love for you to leave me a comment and let me know what's on your list this year.
1. Cucumber melon body wash from bath & body
2. Cucumber melon Dove facial wipes (they don't sell at the stores anymore)
3. multi colored knitted ruffled scarf for rose pink coat
4. small bible for purse
5. Simple silver hoop earrings
6. Open heart necklace from Kay Jewelers
7. Carson's gift card
8. Will and Grace Box set
9. medium non stick frying pan for eggs or omelet
10.Snowbaby 2010 ornament