Zoos

Welcome to the last day of the A to Z blogging challenge.  I admit it has been loads of fun and I got to "meet" some awesome people and their blogs but a part of me is glad it's over with.  It was really hard for me to come up with words for that day and hard for me to ramble like I usually do.

My Z word is simple...zoo.  My daughter and I used to go to zoos all the time when she was younger.  We both love all those awesome creatures out there.  Well...except for those icky snakes and pesty bugs.  Zoos are so much fun.  One creature I haven't seen in person is a panda bear.  One day we will have to travel to find one.  But in the meantime, I think we will have to make sure we hit at least one of our local zoos this year.  I love lemurs and tigers.  My 2 favorites.  Happy Z day and last day of April!  Maybe May will be much better weather wise.

~Kim~

Yo!

Okay, I could not think of a good Y word today.  In fact, the day is almost over anyway.  Only 1 more day of the AZ blogging.  It's gone fast. This is short and sweet.  Yo!...I am heading to bed after getting up very early to catch the royal wedding this morning.  Very beautiful!

~Kim~

Xylophone

Anyone remember having one of these?  Mine was a bit older model but I am wondering if kids now days even know what this is?  I had loads of fun with my xylophone.  Happy X day!

~Kim~

Wet Wednesday

What two perfect W words for today...it is Wednesday and it is definitely wet! In fact, it has been a wet and wild April all over the place.  With all of the tornadoes and flooding some of the states have had, I am really hoping that come May, it will dry up and be nice for a while. No sitting on the deck for me today. Guess I will have to get some inside things done. Is anyone else craving the sun?

Happy W day...and try to stay dry! If you are reading this and the sun is shining for you, enjoy it!

~Kim~

Victory

Have you had any victories in your lifetime?  Victories are something to celebrate.  Victory in losing weight, victory in overcoming cancer, victory in stopping your smoking habit, victory in graduating high school or college...the list can go on and on.  Victories come in both small and large packages.  Whenever I think of the word victory, I am reminded of one of my favorite hymns, Victory in Jesus.  It's a catchy tune.  Especially since I am more of a contemporary music person than a hymn person.  And the words are so true and amazing.

What victories will you have today?  Mine will be getting through a doctor's appt. and the possibility of storms later today.  They both stress me out so for me, that is a big victory.  Maybe victory in getting some cleaning done, a  few articles written...what else?  Celebrate the victories that you accomplish today.  Even the small ones count.

~Kim~

Unique...oh, and Umbrella!

I like unique things.  I usually look for something just a little different about an item.  I am not even sure what kind of uniqueness I am looking for but it always hits me when I find it. Whatever it is that I am collecting, I like to think that I have something unique about it.

There are also some "unique" people around.  What I mean by that is that there are people that are different in my eyes.  Now that can be something good or maybe not so good.  However, the reality is that all human beings are unique.  God made us all with special qualities.  Not one person is exactly the same inside or out, which makes the definition of "being the only one of its kind" pretty true.  We are all unique individuals. 

I wasn't going to use Umbrella as my U word today but it does deserve a "mention".  On this start to a new week, it is predicted that it is going to rain everyday this week except on Friday.  Break out the umbrellas!  I really hope the "April showers bring May flowers" is true!

~Kim~

Thankful

I missed the T word yesterday and I missed doing my thankful Monday so to make up for that, I will use my T word for being thankful.  How's that for convenience?  Here is what I am thankful for on this Easter morning.

Tomb-when you think of a tomb, you usually think of death.  But Jesus rose from that tomb which is now empty.  He is in Heaven preparing a place for us.  Until we get there, we can have an awesome personal relationship with Him here on this earth anytime we choose to.  He gives all of us a choice.  Life is full of choices but this is the biggest one we can make.  My choice is to follow Him.  So, for that I am thankful for that empty tomb.

Twix-does anyone else love Twix bars?  Caramel and cookie and chocolate=yum!

Teenagers-I have one and I love her so very much!

Tigers-I think tigers are one of the most beautiful and intriguing creatures on this earth. 

Tornadoes-Okay, so I am not sure if I am thankful for tornadoes.  No, now that I think about it, I am not thankful for the devastation they cause but I do think they are really awesome and fascinating to watch.  Really amazing to see how they form.  Did anyone see the one that tore through the airport terminal in St Louis?  Wow!  I like to see them away from homes and people though.

Have a Happy Easter!!!

~Kim~

Sleet

I was so hoping that my S word today would be sun but no, it has turned into being sleet.  Yes, I am sitting here writing this on April 22 and I can hear sleet hitting the windows this morning.  The sun did peep out for a few hours yesterday but for the most part this week and continuing for the next few days it has either rained or snowed and very chilly.  At least my S word isn't snow for today...yet.

~Kim~

Royal Wedding and Relaxation

Is anyone else besides me getting excited about the royal wedding next week?  It brings back memories of Charles and Diana's wedding back in 1981.  I couldn't wait but then again, I was a teenager very much into fairytale romances.  Okay, so I am still into the fairytale romances.  You know...someday my prince will come.  I think maybe I watch way too much Disney.  Anyway, I will be one of those getting up very early in the morning to watch the whole wedding.  There is just something fascinating about royal weddings.

I thought I would do a two part  R word for today because this is my last day before I head back to work tomorrow.  My last day of relaxation.   I had to take a couple of days off to use up the last of my vacation hours.  I thought it would be fine this time of the month because usually it is kinda warm but no, today is the first day the sun has peeped out all week.  But it is still very chilly.  Too chilly to sit outside I'm sure.  So, I am going to try and enjoy this last day to relax before all the stresses of work and no time to get anything done happens again.  Hope everyone gets a chance to relax over the holiday weekend.

~Kim~

Quiet Time

Quiet time is essential in my life.  In fact, I crave quiet time.  Which is why I always get up so early before anyone else and why I also love to go out on the deck, away from the animals and the ringing phone (which by the way has NOT happened since I have been off of work and most likely will NOT happen before I go back to work on Friday with the cold, rainy or snowy weather). 

Short post today.  Happy Q day!

~Kim~

Pizza and Pies

No, not pizza pies but pizza and pies.  I woke up this morning not being able to think of any P words but then all of a sudden in a whoosh, 10 of them came to mind.  But I chose to go with food items today. 

I love pizza but I am picky about the kind of crust on my pizza.  I am a thin and crispy kinda girl.  I do not like the thick and chewy crust.  I love it when all the toppings go right up to the edge of the pizza.  Yum!  And if I have to order thicker crust because of the family then I have to dip it in some garlic butter.  I know, so unhealthy but oh so good.  I really to keep the toppings simple.  Pepperoni and onion or if I want to be more healthy, just onion and green pepper. 

Now onto pies.  Besides cheesecake, pies are my next favorite dessert.  I love pretty much any pie except rhubarb and pecan.  Fruit pies are awesome.  Peach, cherry, blueberry, strawberry...well, I am not huge on apple.  I love banana cream, coconut cream, butterscoth and lemon cream pies.  Wow, I am getting hungry all of a sudden.

Another P word I love is prayer.  Prayers are so very important. Prayers work!  Happy P day!!

~Kim~

Overwhelmed

My O word for today is overwhelmed.  Has anyone ever felt overwhelmed?  That is how I am feeling on this Monday morning.  I am not even sure what I am overwhelmed with.  Just life in general.  Now I am sounding really depressed or something.  No, I have not gone off the deep end but I am sitting here just trying to decide whether to cry my eyes out.  I admit, I did get tears in my eyes as I looked out the window and snow was coming down hard.  Yes, it has happened before...snow in April here in Michigan.  But this is not supposed to happen when I take a few days off of work and am looking forward to relaxing in the sun!  I am tired of it as is everyone else.  But on the bright side, at least we didn't get those horrible tornadoes the South got over the weekend.  I guess the snow isn't so bad as that. 

What else am I overwhelmed with?  My daughter and I went to Kohl's and Penney's yesterday because we both needs clothes badly.  She found some cute stuff...I found nothing.  Not only did I find nothing that fit but when I was trying things on and looked at myself in the mirrors...well, I was really appalled.  I don't have mirrors in my bedroom when I am getting dressed and I wear clothes to hide what I don't want to see.  I knew I had gained some weight but seriously...I have fat rolls around my knees and my thighs...I don't even want to think about it.  I am overwhelmed with the fact that I let myself go like this.  I guess I was brought to the realization of how unhealthy I have become with my sweet habit and all the fast food we eat when I am working.

This in addition to being overwhelmed with pain this last year...more than most realize or what I let on along with housework I have let go and the animals that have somehow taken over this house.  Being overwhelmed is not a good feeling to have.  Is there a light at the end of the tunnel?  Of course there is.  I know the snow will melt eventually and spring will be here, I have the control to lose weight if I so choose to and I can always work through the other issues.  Not an easy road sometimes because really all I want to do is eat the brown sugar pop tarts I have sitting on the table and forget all about my image in the mirror and close all the blinds to hide the horrible white stuff outside.  This reminds me that it is not an easy road to have faith in a God that I sometimes feel isn't listening to me.  But I have chosen that road because I know it is the best road to be on.  He is my light at the end of the tunnel.  I just need to head that way instead of down overwhelmed road.  Especially with Easter weekend coming up.

Funny, I went to bed last night having no idea what O word I was gong with today but then as soon as I saw the snow, my O word came to mind right away.  I guess I poured out my heart today but I kind of feel a bit better.  Off to start my day.

~Kim~

Nostalgia...Soap Style

I am sure a lot of you have heard that the long time running soaps 'All My Children' and 'One Life to Live' will no longer be on the air next year.  I am sad.  I used to watch all 3 ABC soaps quite a few years ago but now I just watch General Hospital.  This makes me sad.  I guess because I remember my Mom and Grandma watching 'As the World Turns' and keeping up with Kim and Bob Hughes and I remember Meg Ryan on the show.  Many stars got their start from soaps.  So, I thought I would take a nostalgic walk down soap lane.  Here is what is highlighted in my mind from years gone by.

Bad boy in college, Todd Manning tormenting poor Marti all those years on OLTL.
Maria and Edmond's wedding on AMC.
Hayley and Mateo getting married on AMC.  (aka Kelly Ripa and her husband Mark)
Jenny and Greg on AMC.  I was so upset when Jenny died.
One of my all time favorite AMC couples, Tad and Dixie.
Vicki's daughter Megan dying .
All of the families...the Buchanan's, the Lord's, the Martin's, the Chandler's...it was fun growing up with these families. 

Wouldn't it be fun to have a whole DVD set from the very beginning.  40 years of soap history.  

Anyone else have any memories of these shows?  PS...what will happen to Erica Kane now??

~Kim~

Music

I am not sure what I would do without music in my life.  I like all sorts of music.  I love old rock n roll tunes, pop  music, christian music and I just started listening to a little country music.  I also like music from the Disney Channel.  Okay, I am watching "Lemonade Mouth" with my daughter.  It's actually very good with some awesome music. 

Have a music filled day!  What there is left of it since I am kinda late in posting this.

~Kim~

Laughter

They say that "Laughter is the best medicine".  I believe it's true.  Medically speaking, it forces air through your lungs and relieves stress that may be building up.  When you laugh, it gets others laughing with you.  It is very contagious. 

I certainly need to laugh more than I do.  I shoot for about once a day.  For some reason, I go into this hysterical laugh about once a day, usually in my daughter's room.  I swear she must keep some laughing gas in there somewhere.  She kinda just shakes her head, which gets me laughing even more.  It's quite fun and if you see me laugh that hard, well... it may send you running the other way.  But it sure clears out the stress for a bit.

Everyone should try it at least once a day.  It's good for your heath!

~Kim~

Krispy Kreme

Oh yeah, my K word for today is Krispy Kreme.  Not just Krispy Kreme but the Krispy Kreme glazed doughnut, fresh off the belt!  I love it warm, with the glaze just barely settled on the pastry.  They just melt in your mouth.  Yes, they are sweet but oh so good.  I don't have a KK here in town or even very close for that matter.  I suppose that's a very good thing.  The only time I get them is when I head down to IN to visit my family.  Actually, I get quite excited when I pass by there and see the "Hot Now" sign all lit up and calling my name.  And an extra bonus...KK is right next door to a Chik-Fil-A, another favorite that I don't have close to me.

I think I need to plan a trip down to visit my family soon!

~Kim~

J...Jonas Brothers!

 Yeah, I guess I am going to make a confession on this lovely Tuesday morning.  My J word for today is the Jonas Brothers.  Now, a lot of you know how I feel about this subject.  A grown Mom whom loves these young boys.  I guess some would call that a cougar?  But seriously, even though I think those guys are really cute, I really think that these 3 boys from New Jersey are very talented, very sweet and put on a great concert. 

A little background on how this all started.  My daughter watches a lot of the Disney channel and back in 2007, a trio of young boys appeared on my screen jumping around, singing a tune from "the Jungle Book".  She thought they were kind of cute, I thought they were energetic and fun and somehow different.  As she got more interested in them, I decided to check out who they were because that is just what I do.  I found out they were new to Disney and their Dad was a small town Pastor.  They pretty much struggled financially and finally got noticed as music talents.  By the time we took notice, they already had their first CD out and their second came out soon after.  Their songs were fun, well written and they were so much fun to watch.  They were known for wearing purity rings and their faith.  They traveled with their Mom, Dad and little brother Frankie and their family were friends with artists Michael W. Smith and Steven Curtis Chapman, whom I love, also.  Daughter and I have been to concerts, tried winning meet and greets and just love having something that we love to do together.  These boys are very fan friendly and had many ways of meeting them.  They do live chats and put on these crazy youtubes that just made you laugh.  They also had formed their own baseball team called the Roaddogs and let fans come in and cheer them on.  Pretty cool.

So now, here we are today, 2011.  The oldest Kevin got married a year ago, Joe is working on his solo album and works with Special Olympics and Nick the youngest is working on music and has had his own solo tour a year ago and is still working with diabetic kids.  The boys are growing up.  They are doing things on their own as adults but I am guessing that they will be working on more music together in the future.  These guys have made a fan out of this Mom.  They are trying to live life as a celebrity but also have stuck to their values that they have had instilled in them growing up.  They will make mistakes.  We all do.  Just like with our own kids, we raise them with values and then send them off into this crazy world hoping and praying that they will stick with what they were taught. 

So, laugh if you want but we have had a blast following these guys.  We have also cried a few times.  Has anyone seen Nick's "Who I am " video?  It gets me every time I see it and when he sings the song he wrote about his struggle with diabetes.  They bring kids on stage to sing with them which is awesome.  I hope they continue being who they are and don't change. 

Thanks for listening to my J word for the day.  I could go on and on and on about them.  No, I am not a cougar, just a Mom who appreciates 3 talented guys who make my daughter and I laugh, cry and spend special time doing something fun.  I think my Mom might have had some fun in my Donny Osmond days, too. 

~Kim~

1000 Reasons to be Thankful

On to my other Monday post!  I decided not to go with all "I" words this time.  I think it would take too long.

41.  For warmer days.  It got up to 80 degrees yesterday!!  Woohoo!

42.  For sitting on the deck.  Yes, I finally got my chair out yesterday and sat out there for an hour.  I can't tell you just how relaxing that is to me.  I don't know why.  Just the sounds of nature...well, unless the neighborhood sounds are annoying...but usually it is just nice and quiet.  Sometimes  I read, sometimes I fall asleep, sometimes I just sit and think, sometimes I just watch the trees in the wind or the birds gathering worms, sometimes I get ideas flowing.  I should have a blog that is called  "just sittin on the deck".  hahaha

43.  For Tivo.  I love it now that we can tape 2 shows at once.

44.  For finding a new pizza place that makes great thin, crispy pepperoni pizzas.  Maybe I am the only one that likes real thin and cracker crisp pizza but that's okay.  More for my tummy.

45.  For feeling more comfortable in my writing lately. 

46.  For finding a new doctor that I feel pretty comfortable with.

47.  For that doctor running more tests and being completely thorough before she does a diagnosis.

48.  For a  lab tech that was so good that she took 7 tubes of blood and didn't even leave a bruise!

49.  And to go along with #48, I am thankful that even though I almost freaked out when I saw those 7 tubes and she had to put some pressure on my vein to get the blood  pumping that I chose to talk to her to get my mind off of what she was doing and it helped me to relax.  Good thing for a little phlebotomy training I had.

50.  For my sweet kitty cat whom we have had for about 8 years now.  I love her!

~Kim~

Intriguing

I decided instead of doing a two part post, I would post 2 separate ones for Mondays.  This is my A-Z post for today.

Finding a good word that starts with I is kind of hard.  I chose intriguing.  Not sure why but I thought I would write about the things that intrigue me.

I have always found tornadoes very intriguing.  The way they form, the way they just come down out of the sky with winds so violent, it can blow a house to shreds.  I love watching storm chasers film the formation of one.  Very interesting.  However I would not choose to experience a tornado personally.  But they do intrigue me.

The wind intrigues me, also.  I love to look at the wind.  Okay, so you can't see the wind but you can see the how the wind works.  Today is a windy day and I was just looking out the window at the trees in the back yard waving back and forth.  Sometime it is a light breeze and sometimes it is kind of harsh but it's cool.  Kind of like you can't see the face of God but you know He is there.  You can see the effects of Him and can feel His presence.  Very awesome.

I am intrigued by animals.  Pretty much all of them.  All animals have their own unique qualities.  How do birds know how to build a nest?  How do cats purr and hiss?  Why do giraffes have such long necks?  The creature world is a fascinating place.

Well, I guess I am just intrigued by nature itself.  I could go on and on...the vast oceans, the beautiful mountains...nature is just cool!  God sure must love us to give us such beautiful and intriguing things to enjoy.

Have a great nature filled day!

~Kim~

Spring Has Sprung

No A-Z blogging today but I thought I would keep the momentum going.

So, it looks like spring is finally here.  It went from being cold  in the 30's this past week up to the 70's this weekend.  I was so looking forward to warmer weather but in all things in life, there is a downside to everything.  The main downside to warmer weather is the threat of bad storms.  I don't mind the usual t-storm with thunder and lightening.  Lightening doesn't bother me as much as high winds do.  Last summer was crazy.  No actual tornadoes but the sirens sounded way more than usual.  You don't know whether to take cover or just be on the look out.  Problem is that we have no basement, just a small 3 bedroom house so the small bathroom is the only place to go and no one wants to huddle in the bathroom unless it's absolutely necessary. 

So, as much as I love the warmer weather, I can do without the threat of the severe stuff.  Although I have always been fascinated by tornadoes since I was a kid but I just don't want to be in one.  Bring on spring but leave out the storms!  Oh, and the bees and mosquitos can take a hike, too.

Have a blessed Sunday.

~Kim~

Hula Hoops

 Remember hula hoops?  I am pretty sure I am not the only kid that had one or two of these toys.  I know they are still sold at some stores but I have not seen kids out playing with them for a while.  They were the "in" toy when I was growing up.  Let me tell you, I was not very coordinated so it was hard for me to work my hips to get it going for more than 2 seconds.  I could do pretty good using my neck, though.  Hmm...maybe that has something to do with my neck pain as an adult?  Such a cheap toy but hours of fun.  And just think of the exercise we got with these rings!  Maybe we should all go out and find a hula hoop and show our kids how it's done.  Or maybe they will show us.  Either way it will provide a few laughs on your Saturday.

Happy H day! 

~Kim~

Guilt

So, my G word for today is guilt.  I am sure everyone has felt this at some time or another.  I am full of guilt.  It just happens.  Guilt over not spending as much time with my kids as I want, guilt for not keeping up at work like I used to, guilt for not keeping the house cleaner...the list could go on and on but I have to leave for work in a few minutes.  How do you deal with your guilt?  I admit that I do not deal with it well.  I get pretty down on myself (part of my pessimism I'm sure).  Women seem to think they have to do it all and some do, even though they don't want to.  Guilt can certainly eat you up.  My goal is to stop being so hard on myself and learn to deal with this "guilty" feeling I have most of the time.

Have a great Friday!

~Kim~

Food Fight and Failure

Today is one of those days that I really don't want to think too hard.  There are quite a few F words.  Some good, some not so good.  I came up with a simple F word...food!  So simple yet so delicious.  Food is designed to be nutrition for our bodies.  You know, those little green things called vegetables.  I admit that I don't really like to eat vegies.  Not that I don't like them but they are much more work to have to chop up.  If I want to eat nutritiously, I choose fruit.  I love fruit.  Much more than vegies. 

What about those not so nutritional foods?  Like chocolate cake, twix bars, fried chicken...those yummy but not so good for you foods.  Yes, I love them.  I mean really love them.  The hard part is trying to balance all of those nutritional foods and junk food.  The junk food far outweighs the nutritional foods in my daily diet.  I try, I really do but I fail.  Another F word.  I really am a failure when it comes to eating healthy.  It's hard.  There are so many yummy foods out there.  However, it is essential to eat healthy so I will continue to fight off the junk food when I can.

So, food fight.  What are your favorite foods you absolutely adore?  Healthy or non-healthy.  Mine are blueberries (I love them), cheesecake (I adore it), mashed potatoes and gravy (I could eat this 3 meals a day), oatmeal (a very heart healthy food), hash brown casserole (just yum!) and pastries (pretty much all of them except for fiilled ones).  I do have 2 healthy items in my list.

What foods do you not like?  I really hate tomatoes (ick), mushrooms (too rubbery), and fish tacos (I have never tried them but how come I feel nauseous just looking at them in a picture?).  There are many more but it's too early to think of icky foods. 

Now I am very hungry thanks to this post.  As my daughter would say "I love food".  I have to agree with her.  But then she eats much more variety than I do.  Enjoy your food today!

~Kim~

Essentials

My E word for today is essentials.  The dictionary says that essentials means "something that is absolutely necessary".  Now, we all  know that the things that are necessary for life are air, food and water.  But what are your personal essentials?  The things that you just can't seem to do without, although we know that really we can live without them.  Those "I need to have it in my life" kind of things.

My first essential is coffee.  I truly need to have coffee first thing in the morning.  Could I live without it?  Um...well...okay, I could but I don't want to.  I like it.  Another essential for me are books.  Reading has been a big part of my life since I learned to read a long time ago.  I couldn't imagine a world without books.  I guess these 2 are really essentials since I put them both in the title of this blog.  The other 2 that I think I can't live without are the internet and the TV.  I would feel so lost without them.  Oh, and make up, too.  Maybe my list would become way too long for this topic. 

Truthfully, I really could live without those items I listed but the one thing that I know that I would absolutely not want to live without in my life is my faith in the creator of this world.  He keeps me sustained in this crazy life.  In the good times and the bad that I have experienced, He has never left me.  I admit that I have wondered away from Him from time to time but God has stuck by me always.  I am not sure how I could have made it through without His love.  That is really my essential. 

Okay, I do have to add in that hugs from my kids are the absolute best!  My kids are older but hugs from them still rate way high on my essentials list.

What essentials would be on your list?

~Kim~

Doctor Visit

I guess my D word for today worked out pretty well.  Yes, I just got back from a doctor's appointment.  So, my topic for today is doctor for D day.  Going to the doctor is always stressful for me.  They make you wait and wait and wait until you are just about ready to walk out the door.  This is a new rheumatologist I went to.  I really felt comfortable there which is a plus for me.  She was very easy to talk to and explained everything.  But she is also very thorough so off she sent me for some more xrays (FYI, that is not my xray photo up above) and...gulp...more blood work.  I am not as bad as I used to be when it comes to needles but when the lab tech pulled out not 1or 2 tubes but 7 tubes, I was not feeling so well.  It worked out fine.  She was very good, not even a bruise in sight.  And I didn't pass out!  Truthfully, I would rather be the one drawing the blood than giving it.  I have a follow up in a couple of weeks.  She is still pretty sure it is fibromyalgia but since my RA factor was high, she is ruling everything out that could possibly be something else. 

I am now trying to relax before I head to work at 3.  Sipping on a Starbucks white chocolate mocha sure does help.

~Kim~

Creativity

My posts on Mondays have consisted of 1000 reasons to be thankful.  But now with this blogging challenge I have taken on, I will be making two part entries on Mondays for the month of April.

Today is the letter C.  I chose creativity.  When I think of creativity, I think of other people.  I do not see myself as a creative person.  I have to work really hard to find my creativity.  When I scrapbook, I feel the need to look at other pages to get some ideas.  Now that I am doing a little writing, I started out taking the time to look at what others have written and go from there.  But now, I can almost feel some creative juices flowing.  It may be trickling most days but I can also feel it trying to flow.  My problem is that I can come up with some good ideas but then putting them into action is tough for me.  Do your creative juices trickle or flow?

Now for my 1000 reasons to be thankful.  I am going with the letter C today.

36. Coffee.  Nuf said!

37. Cats.  I do love cats even though mine are annoying.

38. Cucumbers.  Cukes are my favorite vegetable. 

39.Church.  Church family is so important. 

40. Consistency.  I think consistency is important in most areas of life, especially when it comes to raising your kids and training your pets.

~Kim~

Sunday Skip

Okay, so I borrowed the blog title from my niece but I thought it fit for today.  Part of the blog challenge is to skip Sundays however I wanted to keep it up so here I am.  The title also fits because I feel like I skip Sundays in my personal life.  Before I started working full time, I was very faithful in getting to church every Sunday.  Now days I work pretty much every Sunday...Saturdays, too.  I am weird because I like working the weekends.  It is less stressful and laid back.  It also works for my family schedule.  Well, for me it does.  The drawback is that my family heads to church without me.  I tried taking a weekend off a couple weeks ago but that did not work out well with my hours.  Maybe one day I won't have to work as much.


Everyone have a blessed Sunday!

~Kim~

Beloved Books

My B word for today is books.  I know, very original.  Books have always been my favorite part of life.  My pleasure.  Maybe even my obsession if you will.  When I was taking classes at the local college for a few years, I let my book reading go.  Boy did I miss it!  My absolute favorite thing to do...if it ever gets warm enough..is to sit out on the deck in the warm sunshine and read a good book. 

I have always been partial to murder mysteries and Christian fiction.  I am not into the "Harlequin romance" or the scary and weird type of books.  I used to read Stephen King but that was in my teen years mostly.  After I read the book and saw the movie "It", I decided it might be time to move on to something a little less scary.

This past year I have decided to try new authors that were recommended by others or ones that I thought sounded interesting when I browsed the book store.  I went through the Lee Child series of books pretty fast and really got into the Hunger Games series.  My old favorites are James Patterson and Karen Kingsbury. 

I have also gained an interest in books on history.  Weird because I was never that interested in history as a kid.  I just bought a book on women writers like Louisa May Alcott that have been part of our history.  Since I have started in this writing craze, this book looked really interesting.  It's funny what can catch your interest when you go browsing.

So, as long as I still have my eyesight and Borders keeps sending me those darn coupons, I will keep my reading habit for a very long time.  Nothing like a good book to curl up to.  I would encourage you to try some new authors this year.  There are so many good writers that have yet to be discovered by you.  Happy reading!

~Kim~

Attitude Adjustment for April

The blogging challenge has begun!  Welcome to the first day of April.  I came up with 3 A's in my title for the first day of the challenge.  How's that for cleverness?  I am going to continue with just random thoughts like I always do.  So let's talk about attitude adjustment.  I thought since attitude begins with A and April begins with A and...well, I guess April is a good month for an attitude adjustment.  Believe me, I need one.  I am basically a pessimist, always have been.  But lately it has been out of hand.  I guess life just gets to be a downer sometimes.  I am pretty much a downer right now and truthfully  I don't like myself.  So here are the things that I need to re-adjust my attitude on.  A word of warning...this may be long!

My job-Yes, I am supposed to be thankful that I have a job when many people don't.  I am thankful but truthfully, I hate my job.  In fact I find myself dreading everyday that I walk out the door to my job.  Let me clarify this.  I like the work I do as a pharmacy technician and I love the people I work with.  What I don't like is the pressures of leaving the family, not having enough time or energy to fix dinner, the pressure of worrying about whether I will have enough hours to keep insurance for the family.  Oh and did I mention the pain of working 8 hours on my feet?  I now associate my job with pain.  It really stinks.  On my 2 days off, I literally am so wiped out from working, I end up not getting anything done and then I dread having to go back to work even more.  But alas, can't do without money and we need the insurance so here I am.  How can I adjust my attitude?  It is hard, let me tell you.  I need to make a BIG adjustment and I AM going to work at it.  Any suggestions?

My health-I almost feel bad even talking about this because there are so many people out there that are so much worse than I am but it sucks nonetheless.  I guess I have fibromyalgia.  This is what the doctor has come up with.  All I know is that it hurts all over.  I don't like it  much.  However, I can do things that may help when it comes to my own health.  My new attitude is going to be in taking better care of myself.  I have gained weight, I eat horribly and I sit here feeling sorry for myself.  How's that for a confession?  I am going to work at taking charge of my health and find something that works for me. I guess a better attitude would help??

My writing-As I pointed out yesterday, I have been trying to work on somewhat of a "writing career".  I don't even consider myself a good writer at all.  My attitude this past year in this area has been that I want to work at home because of the above mentioned problems  I have.  I wanted to find a way to make money while being at home because truthfully  I am not sure how long  I can keep this up at my job.  So, I was talking with a friend who writes and she has been most helpful in getting my feet wet in this area.  But now, as I learn  more about the writing experience  and how it all works, I have developed a new attitude about writing.  I see it as an opportunity and something that I can develop into "my voice".  Not sure exactly what that means for me but I am going to work on this voice of mine and try to make it work.  I am actually excited about it, although I have time limits right now.  Something else I need to adjust.

So, these are the three areas in my life where my "attitude" needs adjusting.  It will be hard but challenging.  On this first day of April and spring on the way, what a great time to make the change. No fooling!

~Kim~