My New Year’s Resolution- ME.

Every year I, like most other people make a resolution for the new year, and for the past countless number of years, mine has been to lose weight. I’m sure you hear the commercials every day for the great deals that the gyms offer this time of year. If you continue to stay committed to the gym past about 3 months, you see the gym populations gradually decline as most people forget about their resolution and go back to their old habits and ways. Those people that were so motivating (the gym, the ‘free’ trainers, etc) have forgotten about your resolution, also.

So this year my New Year’s Resolution is ME. I am going to work on myself- physically, spiritually, and mentally. I am going to work on improving my health, my spirit, work on being a better wife, mother- just work on being a better me. And I have learned that the only way to do this is on your own. I have a great support system in my friends and family, but every year I break my New Year’s Resolution, even with their support and encouragement. So this year I am going to be my own motivator and cheerleader. After all, if I can’t make myself do it, then no one will.

Here’s to a wonderful 2008!

Merry Christmas

As we spend time with our friends and family this Christmas season, let's not forget the reason for the season- the birth of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.

8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Luke 2:8-20

Creation of "Southern Girl"

My 2 year old is becoming a product of marketing. Yes, at 2 she knows the familair red bullseye of Target, knows a Wendy's by sight, and knows the exit off of the interstate for the mall.

However, the making of a fine southern girl would not be complete with the her acknowledging the following places:

"Yeah, Wal-Mart"- a phrase she uses each time we drive by or tell her we are going there

And Daddy's finest moment happened last week when he pulled into the "Bojangle's" drive thru. She pointed at the sign and yelled "Bojiggies" and told daddy she wanted fries. We couldn't be prouder!!

Wedded Bliss.....

Today is my wedding anniversary.

3 years.

Am I as happy today as I was this day 3 years ago?

Nope- I'm happier.

Thanks, baby, for making me the happiest woman in the world.

Thanksgiving Travels.....

I love traveling. However, traveling with a 2 year old is quite a chore- bags, car seats and strollers- oh my. Despite all of that, we packed up and headed to Cali for a long Thanksgiving weekend.

After moving to NC after living in Cali most of my life, it's nice to go back and visit. Guess it brings something familiar to my life. There are some things I grew up with that we don't have in Carolina that are a 'must' when we visit:

• Mervyn's- my favorite department store (although I never buy anything when we go)
• See's Candy- I enjoy the lolli-pops (Cafe Latte) and hubby goes for the blueberry truffle
• GOOD (Authentic) Mexican food- Now don't get me wrong, we have some decent mexican food in NC, but no Carne Asada to speak of. We took Chris to a taqueria and got him a real taco- 2 small corn tortillas, carne asada, onions and cilantro- that's it. No fluff, just steak.
• Linguisa- prepared any way (I had mine in a breakfast burrito). Linguisa is a Portuguese sausage of which there is no comparison. Just pure love in sausage casing!

Our trip included visiting with the family and friends, grubbing on some turkey and pie, and seeing my brother's new house.

But the trip ended in Cali where in began- in San Francisco. Although we had been there before, I took Chris into the heart of the city. He could not believe that people lived stacked on top on one another- and where do they park??? We saw the skyscrapers in the financial district, drove down Lombard, saw the sea lions at Pier 39, ate the obligatory clam chowder in a bread bowl, smelled the Chocolate at Ghirardelli, and drove through China (town that is). After all of that he proclaimed that he could never live there. Guess we'll just stay in the Carolina.

What's so great about sweet tea?

I lived most of my life drinking iced tea. To me there was only one kind of tea, and if you wanted to sweeten it, you added sugar. Now this was something that never made much sense to me, because the sugar never fully dissolved. It seems you were always left with a sugary mess at the bottom of your class. Then I visited the south, and wow, were my eyes opened.

I remember it like it was yesterday. I was having lunch with my cousin and as I ordered an iced tea, she informed me that I would get 'sweet tea' unless I specifically ordered 'unsweet tea.' Well, I was going to put sugar in it anyways, so I'll just take it sweet. That first sip was heaven- wonderfully sweet and refreshing. I remember thinking, how have I lived all these years without sweet tea. Needless to say, I was- and still am addicted.

Now years later, living in the heart of sweet tea-land, I often tell people that the love of sweet tea was my reasoning for moving to the south. Was it really? Well, ya'll come on down and try some- and decide for yourself.