Double Birthday's

Happy Birthday to my hubby, Mike shown holding Abby almost 2 years ago. He is the happiest when he is with his family. He is "55" today. I can't say enough about this hard working man. He is multi-talented and a very important part of our family. We can always count on him to come through to help out in any situation, except diaper changing...just kiddin'. Happy Birthday Dear! I love you. Happy Birthday to my Beautiful Great Niece, Madigan. She is "11" today. I wish we didn't live so far away from one another. Madigan likes money trees for her Birthday. She is a girl who knows what she wants! I hope you have the best day and I can't wait to see you in June! I love you! Aunt Rhonda & Uncle Mike.....

She loves holding her cousin, Evan.

Monday March

I just love this little grasshopper fella! He's doing the Monday March. Thank God it's Monday! And I didn't get squashed by a car or foot! Sorta like how I feel today!

Summer Challenge

I decided to get on board with the Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans Summer Challenge. I have a vacation coming up the end of June and I don't want to look like a beached whale lying under a beach umbrella. Trust me ladies and gents, the older you get, the harder it is to lose those unwanted pounds. I am up for the challenge and will do my weigh in on Wednesday's and report my progress. I will not reveal the dreaded number, but I will be honest and reveal pounds lost. Go over and check it out and come on board with us. Let's support one another on this weight loss journey and get healthy together.

My before picture: I'm not afraid to reveal my size in this picture taken in February 09. Size 18 jeans, 1x top. I can remember at one time in my life being a size 22, 2x, so I am proud to have been able to keep some of the weight off. I would love to at least be in my size 16 Tommy Jeans by the end of this challenge. I don't think that is an unrealistic goal to set. Good luck to All! See you at the scale!

Hand of God

I got an email today with this beautiful cloud formation picture. I don't remember a week such as this with a lot of sickness and heartache going on. I've called out so many peoples names in prayer this week. To think that God holds all of us in his Big Strong Hands is an awesome thing. May you have a Blessed Friday and fun filled, relaxing weekend. I love you all!

Treasure Tales Tuesday

Today is called Treasure Tales Tuesday and I hope you can see why.

I have 3 adorable grandson's that came over last night while "the girls" went out.

TT#1. Gray - "Mimi, I have a headache, I need another jelly bean"

TT#2. Carter- "This is the worse day of my life"(in the drive thru at McD's after finding out they are out of the black spiderman for the happy meals)

TT#3. Noah - "Mimi, what's the number to time and temp? Mommy let's me call them a lot"

TT#4. Gray- "Mimi, my tooth hurts, can I have a poptart?"

TT#5. Carter- "Mimi, I want to read The Little Red Hen to Gray, I know that one by memory" "Mimi, what does it mean to reap the wheat?"

TT#6. Noah- I heard the cookie jar lid about a dozen or more times while upstairs checking on Gray. I came back downstairs and told Noah, he had enough sweets and he said "Yeah, Mimi, I think so too!" He's such an angel!

TT#7. Gray- "Mimi, why is grampa laying on the couch?" I think he's tired Gray, why don't you go and ask him. "that's ok" (grampa put him in time out the last visit, so I think Gray was glad to see grampa tired.)

These are just a few of the fun tales I wanted to share from last night. I love my boys!

Spring has Sprung

Happy Spring Everyone! Not only am I happy to see the buds on the trees, tulips starting to peek their heads out and the sounding of birds chirping again, I get to change my Coach purse, to my Spring/Summer style....It's been in it's little brown protector bag, hibernating all winter and it is ready to come out of hibernation.....
Enjoy your Sunday! I am thankful for this beautiful sunshiny day, not a snowcloud in sight!

TGIF

This picture makes me want to go get a puppy and cuddle.....but I don't want the responsibility, so I will cuddle my grandkids instead.
HAPPY FRIDAY YA'LL! We made it thru another week....HOORAY....Have a terrific Friday!

Bubbie Boy

I can't believe my great nephew, Evan is already 2 months old. His mommal Diane is in Love!

Is this the life or what? Isn't he sweet? His nickname is Bubbie.

Happy St. Patty's Day

Ok, so my Male co-worker emailed this to me this morning and I had to share with you. I don't eat this stuff, so I am safe....and so are you!

Happy 2nd Birthday Princess Abigail!

This little princess has brought so much Joy to our lives. I thank God for my precious Grand-daughter, Abby. I remember the night this little sweetie came into the world. I was invited to be in the room to watch the birth. I was polite and stayed at the head of the bed behind the video camera. I left my spot and leaned over my son, Nate's shoulder and watched as he cut the cord. I didn't know her name yet, my son wanted to surprise me and tell after her birth. I followed my son over while the nurse laid her down to clean her up and check her. I could not believe all the black hair. It is then that Nate told me her name. "Abigail Vera". It had the sweetest sound to it. My son asked if I wanted to hold her. I felt so special being the first to actually sit and rock her. She looked at me with those big eyes and I introduced myself to her. I think she smiled! I ended up going to work the next day, even though I only got about 2 hours of sleep. I wanted to celebrate and share with everyone our good news. I took in pink cupcakes, pink muffins and pink roses.
Tonight is her Birthday party and I can't wait to see her bright smile when she blows out her #2 candle. All her cousins and friends will be there and I will take lots of pictures to share.

Happy Birthday Sweet Abby! Mimi Loves you!

How do you like my New Do?

FOOLED YOU! Did you really think I would be so brave as to do this to my hair? My crazy daughter created these hairstyles for me at iStylist Makeover. The first Celebrity Do is Posh Spice, 2nd is Meg Ryan and last is Tara Reid. I sort of like the first one with another color. Thanks Steph for the laughs!

See my red ball....

I babysat for ALL "4" grandkids last night for just a few hours. Ivy was an angel. She just sat in my lap and we played with her basket of toys. She loved holding this red wooden ball. She kept looking at the top of my hair, as if to say "mimi, what big hair you have".

This is her cloth bucket that some stuffed fruit toys go in. We were just being silly and having a good time. She DID smile and laugh alot while playing. I think she was just getting bored with the camera flash.
Gray was a good little boy, playing with his brother's hand held game. I think he snuck it without them knowing it. It's tough being the little brother. He made Ivy laugh a lot by his actions. She LOVES her brothers.

Noah and Carter were too busy running around playing Star Wars and school, so I didn't get a picture of them. We had a fun time. Ivy was happy to see her mommy though. She is very much a momma's girl. I love spending time with my munchkins!

TGIF

Happy Friday Everyone! Don't forget to turn your clocks ahead this weekend. Spring Forward! Abby is excited, only 1 week til she turns "2".

Happy Birthday Susie...

Happy Birthday to a wonderful sister-in-law, Susie, on the left. This picture was taken almost 2 years ago in Colorado, where she resides. Steph and family went for a visit. Steph is in the middle with Gray on her back, Carter holding Aunt Susies hand and Noah playing with rocks. After they got back from their trip, Carter told me ALL about his visit with Aunt Susie. He fell in love with her.

Enjoy your day Susie and don't forget to eat cake!

My favorite breakfast

I have been on an egg white omelet kick since my sister showed me how to liven it up last year when she was home. I try to eat a good breakfast before going to work cause that is my fuel and keeps me from getting hungry before lunch. I don't want to sit at my desk at work and snack. In case you are interested in how I make my famous egg white omelet: I saute fresh spinach & mushrooms in about 1T. olive oil. I also like to try all colors of bell peppers chopped up when I have them and a little diced onion. I spray my non-stick pan with Pam cooking spray for the eggs. Beat 2 egg whites with a whisk or fork, pour in pan. Sprinkle with about 2 T. mozz/cheddar cheese (low fat) and Mrs. Dash to taste. Turn over to make the omelet. I add the toppings on top. If you add everything in the omelet, it tends to break up. It is very filling! Doesn't take much time to make and I figure I am worth a good, hot breakfast. In losing weight, it is very satisfying. Much better for you than McD's drive thru breakfast.

The Bachelor Twist

Well, was everyone as shocked as I was last night? As much as I was glad Jason proposed to Melissa, I sorta changed my mind when I saw him with Molly at the after the rose show. I thought the outcome would be that he didn't chose either of them. It looked like it was scripted when DeAnna showed up to tell Jason she made a mistake in picking Jesse. I was glad he didn't take her back. Molly is more mature and does seem to have all her ducks in a row. Melissa is more carefree and there has always been that mystery with not meeting her family. I had a feeling that Melissa wanted to escape her life and wanted a new adventure. I think Melissa would have been more of a playmate to his son but Molly will be both playmate and mom. She is the whole package. I thought I would be more upset at the outcome, but I'm not. I'm glad that Molly accepted him back and the two will ride into the sunset. I have always liked Jason and I can't hate him for being honest. Congrats Molly & Jason!

Azaleas

I love fresh flowers to put in my favorite vase on my dining room table. While grocery shopping yesterday, I treated myself. Only $3....what a bargain! I'm worth it!

March into Monday

I am very pumped to begin a new journey of taking better care of myself. I want to make better food choices. I want to move this body more. I am marching into March with a determination that I haven't had in a long long time. I think I like ME again.

Happy March 1st!

Here are some of my thoughts on this snowy Sunday morning.......
47 years ago today, my baby brother Randy was born. He now lives in Boise, Idaho. When he was a little tot, my sister and I used to have to look after him at times and I can remember living in Chicago during the 60's and we had a major snow storm where no cars could drive up and down our street. My brother went out in the middle of the street to play in the mountain of snow and got his body stuck. We left him there for a while as he was crying. That wasn't nice! Happy Birthday Randy!
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Last night my hubby and I babysat ALL 4 darling grandchildren...Noah, Carter, Gray & Ivy. Yes, Ivy's mommy left her, first time over 2 hours....She arrived sleeping and we left her in her carrier. I had strict instructions to call if she started crying and acted hungry. When she awoke, shortly afterwards she looked at us like she saw strangers and was looking around for mommy. But, when she spotted her brothers, she was happy! Her mommy only called every 10 min. to check on her, until she got to her destination. Everything was going fine until around 2 1/2 hours into the night, then she started crying, she didn't act hungry so, I went upstairs to my computer to find the phone number on the email Steph sent me of where they were at, since cell phones wouldn't work in that area of the building. My sister was on the web cam and got to see Ivy sobbing. My sister asked if she could call for me, which she did. Here she is, over 1,000 miles away, calling the place where my daughter was at and I could hear her say to the person answering the phone "Tell Steph to call Mimi right away". Within 5 min. she called and said she was on her way. When she got here, Ivy was fast asleep on my shoulder! But, mommy was very happy to have her precious little Ivy back in her arms. The boys played with their usual legos and G.I.Joes and Gray only had to go in time out 1 time. Grampa was a big help. Carter enjoyed talking to Aunt Diane on the web cam telling her all about school and what he wanted for his Birthday in July.
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Good news to report...my niece Dayna got out of the hospital yesterday. She was so happy to be holding her precious Evan (bubbie) again. Thanks for your prayers!
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I started back on Weight Watchers today. I am not going to meetings, just trying to follow the program the best I can. For breakfast, I had a delicious egg white omelet with spinach, healthy heart wheat toast and citrus salad.....was very good! I went to a cardiologist Friday after some things came back from a stress test I had a few months ago. The things he saw were not serious and don't require meds. He told me I am overweight (ouch!) and really need to make some changes in my diet. I promised him and myself that I would take his advise. I know what to do, it's just doing it and not being lazy about it. He gave me the clearance to start exercising again. He told me the key is portion control. So, I dusted my off my treadmill and am starting again. I have my sister vacation in just 119 days and I am buying a hot new bathing suit!
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I had my acrylic nails removed last week and am glad I did. I am saving money and they feel healthier. My sister told me about a product she loves to strengthen the nails and I went out to get some yesterday. It's Sally Hansons Green Tea + bamboo. They already feel so much stronger after a few applications. The money I was spending to get my nails done is going in my Florida vacation bank.
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Did I mention that in just 119 days, I will be on vacation? I need to book my flight soon!
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Happy March 1st! Thanks for letting me ramble.