Surround Sound

My fiance is not an easy person to shop for. He is really picky with his clothes/shoes, which is about the one thing that I'm really good at shopping for. I've been really thinking hard lately about what to get him for Christmas and the only thing I can come up with so far is a home theatre system. Day after day after day he is consistently taking about how he wants surround sound and how this movie would be so much better with surround sound and the music on this channel would sound so much better with surround sound.......yada, yada, yada!

Well folks......here's my dilemma: I have no clue where to even begin shopping for this item. Do I have to go to a store like Best Buy or maybe a department store like Sears? Or would someplace like ABC Warehouse have this? I am stumped. And my next question is....how much does surround sound even cost? I might be in way over my head here!

Cream of Tartar

Can anyone tell me what "Cream of Tartar" is??? I have a recipe I want to make and it calls for Cream of Tartar and I have never heard of it. This recipe also calls for covering my pan with "Silpat"....what the heck is silpat?

T Minus 14 Days.....

Can you believe it's only 2 weeks away from Thanksgiving? Where did the year go? I guess most of it, for me, was spent wedding planning. And let me tell you....this break I've been on has been wonderful, but as of next week I will be back in wedding planning mode once again.

Not only is Thanksgiving only 2 weeks away, but my sister's birthday is on the same day. I can't wait to spend time with the family, relax, and of course, do a little Christmas shopping. I'm already totally pumped up for Black Friday! I love the adrenaline rush of waking up early to stand in the freezing cold just to try and beat the person behind you to the best deals possible.

But to be totally honest, I'm most excited about having some much needed time off work. I will not be working the Wednesday before Thanksgiving or the Monday after....yes, you do the math...that's 6 days of nothing but total awesomeness!! Sleeping in, decorating the house, shopping, spending time with family.......I can't think of a better way to spend my mini-vacation.

Weight Watchers Update

I began Weight Watchers on June 2 so I am just over 5 months into the program. I was progressing at an unbelievable pace until about 6 weeks ago when things halted. I've been hovering the same weight for almost 2 months now and I am beyond frustrated. But don't get me wrong...I'm not frustrated with the program, I am frustrated with myself. I have not given up, but I have definitely been slacking. I don't count my points anymore and I am much more lenient when it comes to making the right food choices. Just last week alone I consumed 3 slices of Jet's deep dish pepperoni pizza, a huge taco plate at El Chaps, Taco Bell, a triple-cheese grilled cheese on texas toast with fries at Millers, and boat loads of candy left from Halloween.......what is happening with me? Three months ago I was almost grossed out by the thought of eating any of the food I just listed. Why, all of a sudden, did I think it was okay? And then to think that I was shocked when I saw my weight on the scale at weigh-in this week.

I am declaring to the blogging world that today is the day I turn things around. I am going to start counting points again and planning my meals. I am only 3 lbs away from my WW goal weight and only 8 lbs away from my personal goal weight and I know I can do this!!!! It's only a couple weeks away from Thanksgiving and if I don't get my butt (mind) in gear and get back on program I am going to regret it. I can do this........I can do this!!!

Dear Santa

This will be the first Christmas in my new house and I'm so excited to start decorating! I know, I know....I just took down my Halloween stuff this week. But, really is there anything better than Christmas and the joy it brings?

We are planning on putting up our lights this weekend so we won't be doing it when the snow comes. Oops....I just said the "S" word! God forgive me.....

This is my inspiration.....

Now I just need to get me a new house......with 2 stories, pillars on the front porch, a long driveway, a brick gate and some pine trees out front! I better start my Dear Santa letter.

Be Happy

I've been having a crappy week....okay, I'll be honest, I've been having a crappy few weeks. But today, I feel happy!

My sister called me today with some very good news and since our phone call I can't stop smiling. I am so happy for her. It is the best feeling in the world to know that someone you love is so happy, so excited, so full of life! She has always been my inspiration and today she inspired me to be happy!

I couldn't be more proud of my sister and I hope she knows that.

CONGRATS RACH!

Shopping Trip Update

My shopping trip last night was a success!! And I'm down another pant size....Yippee!!

We mostly shopped the clearance racks and managed to come up with some great finds. I ended up with 3 pairs of dress slacks for work, 6 tops, 2 belts and 2 pairs of shoes for $200. I couldn't believe it. My dress slacks alone were regularly priced at $50 each, so right there tells you I bargain shopped like it was my J-O-B!

The only items I didn't pick up that I still need are a couple pairs of jeans and a fall/winter coat. I guess we are going to have to plan shopping trip #2.

Girls Shopping Trip

I'm going shopping this evening with one of my girlfriends and I couldn't be more excited. I'm not sure if being able to hang with my BFF is making me giddy or the fact that we are GOING SHOPPING......

I used to be a shopaholic, but then I gained a ton of weight and shopping with low self-esteem just isn't as much fun. Well, now that I am down 25 lbs and could use some additions to my wardrobe, I'm all jacked up. I just hope I can contain myself......

Here is what I'm hoping to find:

1. Some great new shoes for work.......Aren't these Dijon colored shoes from Chadwicks to die for?


2. I also need some new dress slacks for work. I'm thinking something along the lines of these creme colored ones from Chadwicks. I love the waistline. (notice the shoes....)

3. New fall tops that will be used for work and also for casual wear. The ruffles on this shirt from Victoria's Secret make me drool.

4. And lastly, I need a new fall/winter coat. One that can be worn with my dress slacks for work but also one that can be slapped on over jeans for a casual night out. This coat from Macy's is all that and a bag of chips

So here's to great time with my girl and hoping I don't break the bank

Going through a rough patch......

I'm going through a rough patch in life. I struggle every day to find something positive...anything to make the day a little bit brighter. And lately, I'm struggling even trying to do that. There is a black cloud that is lingering over me and I need it to go away.

My tolerance is stretching thinner and thinner and I'm afraid that I'm going to make some HUGE changes in my life that may shock the hell out of everyone! Most people are going to think I'm crazy....but I've spent so much of the past few months thinking about this and I feel like I am prepared to forge ahead with my decision. After all, it is MY life.

There will be surprise....and there will be disappointment....but, I don't know what else to do. I'm struggling......BAD!!!

Parenting...Not as easy as it looks

My fiance has a 14 year old son and let me be the first one to tell you...parenting is not easy. And step-parenting is extremely difficult. And step-parenting a teenager....even harder!

Teenagers are rarely without something to argue over, worry about, or be annoyed with. Talking back to their parents becomes second nature and questioning authority seems effortless for them. Now don't get me wrong, I know that teenagers go through changes that are both understandable and expected. However, when these behaviors are no longer what we, as parents, consider "normal" the family goes into crisis mode.

In this uncertain and dangerous world, it is the parents' job to protect their child until they acquire the common sense of adulthood. And when you, as the parent, feel you have failed in this area, you experience a myriad of emotions - frustration, fear, disappointment, anger and hopelessness. And let me make it very clear that none of these emotions are good for making informed, well-reasoned and thought out decisions.

Parenting is definitely a full time job without any benefits at times. We try so hard as parents to teach our children between right and wrong and it hurts when they make poor decisions for themselves when they should know better. It is hard as a parent to know that teens are going to make some bad decisions, but it is the adults job to stop them any way they can when that bad decision can change the course of their childs life.

I'm doing the best I can...given the crisis we've been faced with, but I'm wondering if any of you have any advice on parenting with both head and heart, responding with wisdom and love when children need it most.