Thursday Musings

It's just one of those days or weeks or months lately and I'm feeling a little down.  We're still waiting on the house to sell in Atlanta and making weekly trips back and forth to Tennessee.  We basically drive up on Monday mornings and back Friday afternoons which isn't that bad in the over all scheme of things.  We're together and that's really all that matters right now.  Mark's job is so much more demanding that ever before and he's comforted by being able to come home at night to me and Clarice.  The apartment is small but we're adjusting to it and more importantly, Clarice likes it.  The first car trip was hard on her and us but we've learned now the tricks that make it easier.  We put a big pillow on my lap which she perches on so she can see out the windows.  We also stop about half way thru the trip and walk her around so she doesn't get car sick thru the mountains.  And yes, people stop, point and stare at us but hey, who cares because we look strange walking a cat no matter what country we are in....lol. Mark's gonna have to make the trip alone with her next week because I'm headed home to Arkansas to a long visit.

Yep, I'm going back for two weeks and I have so much stuff I want to see and do.  Of course, the most important thing is seeing my kiddos  Rachel turned eighteen this month and I just don't know where the time has gone.  She has grown up into such a beautiful young woman both inside and out.  And I'm going on my girl's trip to Hot Springs with Dana and Kathie aka Dirty Martini Queens.  I've missed the last few years trips due to work, life or living abroad but nothing was gonna stand in my way this year.  I have missed them so much! 

Well it's almost time to go pick Mark up at work and I'm still sitting her in my pj watching trash reality tv so better go jump in the shower. 

Happy Fall Y'all

It's my favorite time of the year!  Now y'all know that I love, love, love decorating for Halloween and getting the house all ready for our punkin carving party and all the trick or treaters but sadly with the house on the market (I know....big eye roll....still????) I had to scale my décor way, way back.  Since last year we were living in Germany, it's been a couple of years since I've seen all my stuff but I keep telling myself it'll all feel new when I decorate next year.  LOL! I decided to just use my fall stuff and nothing that is halloweenie.....I know some people don't like the holiday or observe it so it's just scarecrows, punkins and other generic fall stuff this year.  I don't do scary, gruesome or anything like that but I do use a lot of black cats, witches and jack a lanterns so in order not to offend, they stayed in the storage bins.  AUGH.....please, please just sell my house already so I can resume my life again.

Ok enough about all that stuff and let's move onto the great things that have happened in the last few weeks.  I rejoined Weight Watchers in order to follow the dr's orders to lose weight and because I know the system works when you apply all the guidelines.  I've lost 7 pounds in 3 weeks and just feel so much better already.  I'm in control and accountable which works great for me.  I need to add exercise and then I'll really be able to drop some pounds.  I'm just taking it day by day....meal by meal....but it's getting easier all the time.  This weekend Mark really tested my will power by deciding that we were going to 5 Guys for cheeseburgers and fries.  There is nothing I love more than burgers and fries except maybe chocolate but I did wonderful.  I ordered just as I always do but I cut my burger right away and only ate a third of it.  I made sure to put it down between bites so I could thoroughly enjoy every bite and I even ate 20 fries with ketchup but again I made myself appreciate every one.  This is the first time I have ever left this place without feeling miserable and sick from overeating.  It was a HUGE DEAL for me and I'm so proud of myself. 

I also took part in my very first blog swap and what a wonderful time I had.  Amy from http://bumblebeelanecottage.blogspot.com  put together this awesome swap and I just couldn't get signed up quick enough.  I have always wanted to participate in one of her swaps but because of work and living overseas, I never felt like I could commit 100%.   Now the stars aligned and Amy picked Marsha from  http://www.tatteredchick.net/ to be my partner and what a partner she was!  Marsha is so talented and creative and I just loved everything she sent me.  Each little package was just amazing and let me share what we swapped with y'all.  She made everything from a tote bag to pantry cakes to punkin to black kitty.....well just see for yourselves what all she sent.  I was just blown away!!!!!

 

 

Just look at all my treasures!

 

You can hop over to Marsha's blog to see what I sent her because I forgot to take pictures of everything.  Oops!  I did snap a quick pic of these 2 little jewels.  The birdie's nest was an old canning jar lid set atop an old pewter candle stick that I found at an estate sale.  The patina on it was just wonderful and I just couldn't pass it up.  I also stitched up the black cat on 40 count over 1 and it's a Blackbird Designs pattern which I know just surprises everyone.  LOL!  What can I say, I've never seen a Blackbird Designs chart that I didn't just fall in love with.  Now I need to stitch this little one again for me. 

 

 

Well it's about time to go pick Mark up from work so I'd better get my shoes on.  Clarice and I have been staying in Tennessee with him during the week and then traveling back home on the weekends.  Clarice has adjusted really well and it makes Mark and I happier to be together with her during the week.