Melissa's Life

one month behind

2011-01-20T16:32:00.003-05:00

Well, I was supposed to start eating right after the holidays. But I'm starting now. I'm a month behind schedule but it's better late than never. I have a calorie counter on my homepage so there is no avoiding the calories that I'm taking in. I'm drinking more water and exercising daily. I want the quick fix but I'm going to concentrate on slow and steady and just being healthy. I joined the YMCA months ago and have yet committed to a regular routine. At least DS is playing basketball there so the monthly dues aren't totally a waste.
I didn't like to cook in the past but I'm actually enjoying looking online for new recipes to try on the family. I love when they enjoy dinner :) I feel proud that I'm not just serving hot dogs and fries, burgers and fries, pizza and spaghetti. Even though that sounds pretty good right now.

I'm still sleepy

2011-01-19T05:21:00.002-05:00

It's a little after 5am. I've been up since 4am. I can't sleep. Again. It seems like insomnia has taken up residence in my body and doesn't want to leave. My mind is racing over thoughts that shouldn't even matter this time of day. So, I'm up watching The Doctors. I want to watch the news but my brain isn't ready to process that information yet. I have my book and my knitting bag near but if I do any of those things then I will fall asleep and I have to be up at 6 am to get the little one ready for school and make breakfast for my 15 year old. My eyes are red so I used some Visine. Joyce Meyers will be on at 6am and I guess I'll try to gather up enough energy to walk on the treadmill while I listen to her message. I have one job to do at Office Max so I plan to get that done as soon as DD gets on the bus. Nothing else exciting planned for today. Maybe I'll visit the Goodwill and see what deals I can find...

Jeez!

2011-01-18T06:55:00.002-05:00

Will she ever just sleep in? It's still dark outside and she's already up and about! Usually snow days and 2-hour delays are a child's dream. Yay! I get to sleep in should be the response. But nooo! She's already up and about, getting her questions loaded and requests lined up. I haven't even had my coffee yet. Jeez....

Ho Hum

2011-01-17T16:59:00.002-05:00

Wow, I'm extremely bored at this moment. I should be cooking dinner and I will as soon as a get up the energy. The little one is in her room but she can't seem to entertain herself today. She keeps coming out and asking me questions that I really don't want to answer. DH is at work. I turned off the television because nothing is on that interests me. I should go to the YMCA and walk around the track. Maybe I will. I could finish my book or I could work on the shawl that I'm knitting for myself. But what I really want is a nice glass of wine and a long, hot soak in the tub. Well, I better find something to do. I have four hours to burn before I can turn in for the night. This should be fun...

Resolutions

2011-01-02T07:47:00.005-05:00

I didn't think I would make resolutions this year, but what the heck. Why not keep the tradition going. I think I'll try to make the family more nutritious meals. I'll try to exercise at least 30 minutes each day. I'll try to get back into my creative zone and craft more. I'll try to redecorate the house... again. I can't think of anything else that I'm willing to commit to trying at this time. Maybe I'll add more during the year. Oh yeah, I want to learn how to swim. I'll come back to this post this time next year and see where I'm at...

All Alone on New Year's

2011-01-01T10:54:00.001-05:00

I thought Christmas was bad. Well New Year's took the cake. My DH decided to go into work to cover someone's shift instead of ringing in the New Year with me. He leaves for work at 11:30 pm and when he gets to work he doesn't even call me at midnight. He calls me at 12:03am and says "Happy New Year. I'll call you back when I'm done talking to ________." Wow, talk about a kick in the teeth.

Balsam Fir

2010-12-09T17:57:00.002-05:00

We picked out our tree last week and I just found the time to decorate it. I strung the lights and my 8 year old hung the bulbs. I'm sure you could have guessed that since they are all hung in one spot!

flea market find

2010-11-30T16:01:00.003-05:00

I found this wonderful picture at the Columbus Flea Market for only $2.00! It's a nice size, too. It's about 2-1/2 feet long by 2-1/2 feet wide. The colors are a perfect accent to my blue/brown holiday theme.

hello sunshine....

2010-11-29T07:45:00.002-05:00

Good Morning from Mount Holly, New Jersey :)

Christmas color theme

2010-11-28T18:14:00.002-05:00

Well, I've finally decided on this year's color theme for my Christmas home decor. I looked for months trying to find inspiration and I stumbled upon it when I was looking for new pots and pans. I just love Paula Deens signature cookware in Robin's Egg Blue. My first choice was the orange because it really pops and I prefer warm colors. But since I just painted all of my cabinets black, that would look too "halloween-ish." So blue it is and I'm going to warm it with brown. I found some great fabric at Jo-Ann's at 50% off over the weekend. I also found some beautiful blue lagoon dishes with brown trim at Walmart. And teal ornaments will bring it all together. I can't wait to decorate this week :)

Thanksgiving times two

2010-11-27T07:48:00.004-05:00

Thanksgiving was at mom's this year. Usually, it's my home where everyone gathers. Since mom downsized from her house to an apartment 9 years ago, she hasn't made any holiday memories at her place. I figured this year we would change that. He apartment is much smaller than we are used to, but we made space. We moved the living room furniture against the walls and rented a round table and chairs to place in the middle of the room. Mom decorated it with her favorite china, crystal goblets and silverware that was passed down from her mother. All of the food was set up on the kitchen countertops and table. There was room for everything and everyone! Six adults, seven kids , full bellies and laughter gave mom some great memories this Thanksgiving. She's already planning Christmas dinner...

My idea of Thanksgiving is more simple and quiet. It was only my immediate family. Husband, sons and daughter. On Friday I woke up at 6:30am and started my turkey and everything else. By 2pm we set up at my wooden farmtable with paper plates in the Thanksgiving theme. We watched holiday shows on Hallmark Channel all day. Perfect!

Knit obsession

2010-09-30T07:07:00.002-04:00

I took a knitting class a few months ago. I've stumbled upon such a wonderful way to let all the stress of my day fall away. I start a project and I'm in a zone.

If I'm hungry, I knit.

If I'm bored, I knit.

If I'm lonely, I knit.

If I'm angry or stressed, I knit ( a little faster and with more determination).

Time Flies...

2010-09-29T06:51:00.003-04:00

I can't believe it's been over a year since I've written anything! One thing I've been meaning to change is not taking time out for myself everyday. Hopefully, this will start today :) Over the past year I've been cleaning out the clutter in my home. It's been a daunting task and it seems like I haven't made any progress although I know that I have. I've rented a storage unit, which I swore I wouldn't do. I've made monthly donations to the local Goodwill and I haven't bought a thing!
Now I plan to redecorate. Of course, the farmgirl in me has decorated my home in a country theme. Now the grownup in me wants a more sophisticated palette. I've painted everything a soothing green named "windchime." I'm going to accent everything in black. I found these gorgeous black silk curtains at Walmart. And I'm painting my kitchen cabinets in a black satin paint. I found sleek, satin nickel hardware at the Home Depot in a clearance bin. OMG they were only 5 cents for a pack of 6!!! My wonderful mother-in-law gave me 3 Thomas Kincaide prints that I can't wait to hang.

SPRITE POUND CAKE RECIPE

2009-06-22T06:38:00.003-04:00

3 cups sugar
3 sticks margarine or butter
6 eggs
3 cups flour
3/4 cups Sprite
3 teaspoons lemon flavoring

Cream sugar and margarine until smooth. Add one egg at a time and beat. Add flour and stir. Combine Sprite and lemon flavoring and mix into batter until smooth. Bake at 325 degrees in loaf pan for 1 hour.

A Perfect Mother's Day...

2008-05-07T17:09:00.002-04:00

My husband keeps asking what would I like to do for Mother's Day.

Go to the movies? .... "No"

Go out to dinner?..... "No"

He continues to throw out options for me to choose. Let me think. Jeez! Stop rushing me. I still have a few days to decide.

So, while I'm thinking of a perfect Mother's Day, I picture a quiet, peaceful day. No brothers fighting, no little girl whining and crying and calling my name. No demands. No requests. No dishes to wash. No laundry to sort.

I'm easy to please. Some time alone in my garden. Some quiet time with a good book. The couch. The tv set on Lifetime. And lots of chocolate.

Wow! That's what I call.....A Perfect Mother's Day!

No more "farm girl" dreams...

2008-05-06T19:42:00.002-04:00

My dream is (was) to live on a farm and raise animals. So, I went to the library and took out an armful of homesteading books, cause you know when I do something, I jump in with both feet, and I don't want to drown.
How to raise sheep.
How to raise chickens.
Sell what you sow.
Make $100,000 on 25 acres.
My conclusion..... too much work! My mom laughed when I came to this conclusion. She said, " What did you think? The animals were going to take care of themselves?"
Well...yeah
I guess I have to work on a plan "B"
Farm girl wanna be, no more!!!

Monday madness...

2008-05-05T20:10:00.004-04:00

Made room for my son who returned from college for the summer.
Went for a walk in the park.
Returned home and opened some unsettling mail.
Went to the library.
Returned home. Started some laundry.
Washed dishes.
Cleaned the living room.
Kids went out to play basketball.
Little one took a nap. She had a bad day in school today.
Looked through some of the books that I brought home from the library.
Prepared dinner.
Kids returned home.
They are currently fighting and making a LOT of noise. Little one is crying now.
I've escaped to the computer.
Not far enough.
I'm going to take a drive.
Hopefully, it will be quiet when I return...

Treasure hunting....

2008-05-04T20:40:00.003-04:00

The weather is nice, so it's flea-market time again! Time for my seasonal treasure hunt. I still look for anything with roses, anything romantic. I'm gathering items because one of my dreams is to open a boutique in Paris. Realistically, the boutique will be wherever I settle after the kids are off to college.

I love teapots and teacups. I have so many. I'm trying to cut down on buying them, but they tug at my heartstrings.

I also want to start collecting heart shaped items to put in my eBay store. Each year I do something different. I'm trying to find a niche that works for me and gives me a little income so that I can continue to add to my teapot collections.

Wanting more....

2008-05-04T20:20:00.006-04:00

I want to live on a farm and become a homesteading mom...

I want to pick fresh wildflowers from my garden....

I want to spin wool from my sheep...

I want to make soap using milk from my goat...

I want to gather eggs from my chickens...

I want my life to feel like it has more meaning than it does...

Oh well...

2008-04-28T13:41:00.005-04:00

Today is one of those drab, rainy days. I actually enjoy the rain. It helps me to quiet my mind and forces me to take some quiet time for myself.

I've already done some housecleaning, some laundry, dishes, cleaned and scrubbed the main bathroom and cleaned the little one's room. I've run a few errands, had to drop of my van for an oil change and did a little grocery shopping for dinner.

Made lunch for hubby and now I have to wait for the school bus. When the kids get home from school, the real work begins.

Hmmmm.... I just realized that I didn't really get any quiet time today after all.

Oh well.

auntie-mom signing off until later...

What's growing in your garden?

2008-04-27T08:24:00.003-04:00

I love wildflowers! I'm trying to create this beautiful country wildflower garden in my yard. It's coming along very slowly. I understand this job will require much patience...

So far, I've been shaking seed over a small area for the past two years. Most of the flowers have found their way outside of my property and they get mowed down when the grass is cut. (sigh)

I planted wisteria about 4 years ago and it finally came to bloom, but unfortunately, I planted it too close to my fence and had to prune it back and it hasn't recovered. I think I killed it. (sigh)

My grandfather had the most romantic rose garden and I'm trying to recreate that. I have some success with roses. I've found that the more I leave them alone, the better they do. Whenever I try to apply what I've read into practice, I can barely get 5 blossoms out of an entire bush.

My favorite flower is the daisy. I would love to devote an entire space in my garden for all types. That's what I'll focus on this year.

I love herbs and veggies. I have a beautiful lavender bush that I can't wait to harvest and add to my soaps that I make. My veggies don't fare too well. I can't seem to keep the pests away.

Well, it's raining here this morning and I was going to visit our local garden center to find something new for my garden, but I guess it will have to wait.....

auntie-mom signing off until later....

A day for me...

2008-04-26T10:17:00.002-04:00

I plan to do all the things that I want to do today. I usually let my 6 year old niece dictate my day, but today I vow to change that.

She has already peed on herself. That is the way she shows her anger at times. It has threatened to ruin my day, but I'm not going to let that happen.

Right now she is in her bedroom. The t.v. is her babysitter until I can gather enough patience to deal with her today.

I'm on my way out to the mall. I'm getting my eyebrows waxed and hoping that I find something unexpected on sale.

Hopefully, I will return with a little more patience to deal with her demands today.

auntie-mom signing off until later...

Life's too short to live the same day twice!

2008-04-25T14:53:00.003-04:00

That's the motto that I try to live by. I have many interests that keep me busy. Sometimes, I have too many things that I want to do, but not enough time during the day. My kids leave for school about 8:15 am and I have until 2:30 pm to get whatever I want done accomplished. Then the feeling of being "overwhelmed" starts to settle in. It's a battle that I fight with myself daily.

Today I went to a local indoor flea market. I usually find something great, but today I didn't. That was kind of disappointing. I'm an avid treasure hunter and not what you would call a dumpster diver, but I will pick something up off the curb.

I'm a crafter by trade and I'm currently working on some doggie products to go along with my homemade doggie treats. I hope they come out okay. I enjoy sewing, but I'm definitely not the best at it. I'll post pictures of the completed project when and if it comes out okay.

My husband is off from work today so he'll take care of my niece for me. I get to go out and do what I'd like. My boys are on their way home from school, so I'm on my way out before the noise level escalates!

auntie-mom signing out til later this eve....