Mylerna's Thoughts

2012

2012-01-15T16:19:00.000-08:00

So it is now 15 days into 2012 and I find myself discovering/analyzing what I want to focus on for the upcoming year. I don't want to do resolutions - for they most always fail, but I do want 2012 to be a great year.

My brother was just down for a weekend.. It was nice to see him and his family. His daughter is growing into such a little lady. I enjoyed their visit, but as they left I also found I enjoyed the silence that followed. Don't get me wrong, I'd love for them to have stayed another few days. I just noticed the silence once they were gone, the peace of it and the fact that my spirit found rest and joy in it.

So I guess my first thought is I want 2012 to be a year of quiet reflection. Of soft moments of pleasure and contentment.

I also find that I want to do more with my time. I want 24 hours to be streched into 30, but since I can't do that I just need to figure out how to do more. Don't get me wrong, I still love my days of rest... those days where you do nothing but veg and read a good book or have a tv marathon, but I also want to accomplish more that...

- I want to work around the house and do several projects that are burning in my mind: closet, stain decks/bridges, build laptop box, etc...
- Work on growing professionally
- Get more active with my scrapbooking either paper or digitally
- Finish uploading all pictures
- Do more of the books for our vacations
- Continue at the gym, ramp up my workouts and be diligent about getting both my cardio and my weights done.
- Get up earlier and have time for a morning Yoga and Time with God... this is going to be my hardest challenge.
- Get more serious about my bible studies
- Spend time with God daily
- Live my life as God would have me live it - including getting rid of my attitude issues, my grumpiness, my foul mouth, my self-centered expectations and etc...
- Learn to listen to my husband more, critize less - grow in our marriage. Continue to treasure the comfort of knowing he is there regardless. Treat him like the jewel that he is.

And with that I need to learn more than ever to sit quietly, enjoy things more and stop taking myself too seriously.

Have a great 2012 blogland... Love you!

Goodbye 2011

2012-01-01T08:03:00.000-08:00

*Typed at 5:30 PM 12/31/2011

2011 is drawing to a close and I want to reflect back on what the year has been. It is difficult to do though; it really hasn’t been a memorable year. Which in many ways are good, there were no major catastrophe’s in my life, no major upheavals that upset the balance of nature… we just were. If anything 2011 was a year of togetherness.

Jack and I bought the house in Grovetown in 2010 and this year we found most of our free time working on it. We learned how, or at least learned more of, how to work with one another. We learned when to push, when to pull and when to sit quietly and let the other one vent. We learned and we grew closer.

In January I got really sick for the second or third year in a row and decided enough was enough. We completely revamped our diet and joined the local Y. Other than during the Christmas season we have gone steady for this year and plan to jump right back in after the New Year. We eat more fresh food (less Hamburger Helper); eat more turkey and a lot more veggies… I take 4 vitamins a day now: Flintstones Multi, C, E and B12… My energy level is good, though not as good when I was on Steroids in Feb… WOW, I know how that stuff is addictive.

Major projects on the house were done this year: Jack installed the back screened in porch for my anniversary, We had sod and a sprinkler system installed, painted the front porches with red and green, had rip/rap laid in the back, Mama cleaned out the front ditch and we finished the rock garden.

Inside things didn’t change much. Jack refinished the dressing table that now sits in my bedroom, awesome job and he stained a shelf we bought unfinished. I finally cleaned up the spare bedroom and now have a crafting area to call my own – one I rarely use…

We grew closer to Alice and Ty this year… I met her at work and they are really our only social connection down here, great people. Ty helped Jack with the screened in porch…

Jack and I went to NY for our anniversary only to have Hurricane Irene put a major damper on it, though I can now say I was in NY when it slept...

Other than that it was a quiet year. Jack and I find ourselves more in a rhythm than ever before. I just know without question he is there and he loves me. That in itself is source of quiet relief in my soul, but even better I know I love him without question or doubt. To know I have a partner in all things good and bad is such a blessing and a comfort. As I said on Facebook a while back, God is my rock and Jack is my walking stick.

And with that Jack and I bid 2011 ado and look forward to a bright 2012.

Recap

2011-09-08T21:16:00.001-07:00

Bed time -- Day at work was... hopping/rough/stressful/humbling - I said things I regret and regret to admit I still feel them. Day at home was - Great - Hubby that works beside me, that is my partner in all things - A mother that is at all times my truest friend - A house that frustrates and challenges me depending on the day. Obama's Speach - Classic / Congress Faces Unforgettable - Here is praying out congressmen/women get over themselves enough to do what is right and get America headed back to where it needs to be, the land of opportunity... So with that I go to bed - Maybe tomorrow will be great on both fronts and Congress w/ decide to look out for the people vs. themselves.

NY Trip

2011-09-05T16:41:00.001-07:00

We have been back a few days, but as always I wantd to put my log up here for those that are interested and so that I can look back later on.

Thursday - 08/25

We got up early and went about our daily routine. For me it was a crazy busy day at work - I was trying to get ready for the few days out of the office and my desk exploded. Howerever, I was able to leave on time and picked Jack up to begin our weekend adventure.

We went to the Augusta airport & went to check in for our flight. We few US Airways for the first time and their first impression was not a good one. We waited for over thirty miintues for a clerk to show up and when they did th efirst guy was rude and lecutruing. One lady had two children an ddidn't have seat assignments - his answer was to leacture her & say good luck. Well, with an attitude like that I really wonder how he has a job.

We went to the 2nd clerk and he mumbled. We found out our bag was overweight so, instead of costing us $25 it cost us $115 - lesson learned. Afterwards the service at the airport improved, but it wasn't a great impression.

Then we took off and landed in Charlotte and later connected to NY. Our taxi ride from th e airport to th ehotel was chepaer than expected and the city was still alive despite ti being 12:30 on a Thursday night. We then arrived at the hotel. It is very nice, the staff friendly and the hotel spacious and comfortable. I slept like a baby.

Friday - 8/26
Today we got up around 9, go dressed and headed out. We ate at a diner near the hotel for breakfastand it was fairly good. The coffee was strong, but the french toast was good.

We then headed down to see lady Liberty & Ellis Island. Everyone says New Yorkers are rude, but we had a very niceg guy help us find our way. He is probably still laughing about us asking where the subway was given we were standing right next to it.

We took the subway down an dheaded over to the Castle to bouy our tickets. We later learned that there would be two lines - one for our tickets and one for the boat. Overall the lines took about two hour, but it wasn't that bad. The ride out was nice and the view great. Lady Liberty is huge and great to see. Ellis Islan was also neat, but I was ready to go.

We left there and headed to City Hall. The building was hgute and neat to see. There was a street vendor there and we got some chicken/rice dish and ate in the aprk. It was nice, even if I was worried about birds shitting on me. We then headed down to 911 -> very sobering, but not much to see. A whole lot of construction.

We then headed down to the Flat Iron district - the Flat Iron building is super neat and the area around it was relaxing. There is still a ton to see, but after the dissappointment that our Broadway show was cancelled (a hurricane is chasing us) & the fact my legs are killing me it was time to come back to the hotel for some down time... So here we are.

More to come later ;) Have a great day blogland.

Slacker

2011-05-22T07:27:00.000-07:00

Yep, I've been a blog slacker - still eating fairly well (though no where near as meticulous as I was in Jan) and still going to the gym. Really wish those steroids I took in Jan were not habit forming - I miss the energy they gave me :)

Yard is coming together - Family is good - I'm Me - Life is good - Hope you are well.

Miss you blogland - I hope to be back more regularly soon.

WoW! Long Day!

2011-02-09T17:03:00.000-08:00

Today was good and the Lord blessed me with safe travels to Atlanta and back. It was a good day, my meetings went well - I got to see my old Wells Fargo colleagues and friends which was nice. However I am tired - 5:30 came early this morning.

The gym was killer tonight. I tried a new machine for my cardio that was killer... I only made it 7 Minutes on it, I'm so out of shape. Working on it though, did my 40 minutes of cardio overall and my weight routine for the day. Amazing how much harder weights are when you are tired, hee.

Well other than the food log that is below that is all I have to share for the day. My brain and my body is mush, I'll sleep good tonight that is for sure. God Bless you, I hope you had a great day!

Food Log:

2/8 - Tuesday

Breakfast:
- Oatmeal
- Piece of Raisin Bread
- Coffee

Lunch:
- Sandwich on Wheat Bread with BBQ Chicken Sandwich Meat
- Grapes
- Salad
- Apple Juice

Dinner:

- Shrimp Pasta Bake - ***** Oooh it was good, I'll have to type the recipe out, but will share it soon.
- Salad
- Brusel Sprouts
- Wheat Rolls
- Tea

Wednesday - 2/9

Breakfast:
- Oatmeal
- Piece of Raisin Bread
- Coffee

Lunch:
- Business Lunch @ Chili's
- Beef Fajita's with cooked onions/bell peppers
- Water

Dinner:
- Left over shrimp bake from last night
- Water
- Wheat Rolls

Back in the Saddle

2011-02-08T16:24:00.000-08:00

Sorry I've been absent, I know you were sitting on the edge of your seat (hee). We went to see my brother and his family in Yulee FL this weekend. It was good to see them - I really enjoyed the visit and the time away. That being said it is also to be back home. Not sure what is going on, but I'm finding myself wanting to be home more. Guess I'm turning into a home body...

My energy is dissipating and it's getting harder to get up in the morning, but I'm still doing it and still thankful for my new life. I'm keeping to the food changes pretty well, though I wasn't great this weekend. However - I was out of town so hey :)

Below is the log of my meals. It's Mama's week to cook this week, but she is trying some new recipes so I'll share those as the week progresses. What she is making right now is smelling good - making me hungry :)

For those leaving who are not interested in the food log I wish you a great day! I hope you are doing well and wish you a terrific evening. May the Lord bless you with a great night sleep and a terrific evening.

2/5
Breakfast:
1/2 Grapefruit
2 Pieces of Oatmeal Raisin Bread

Lunch/Second Breakfast
- 4 Pieces of French Toast (Restaurant)
- Sugar Free Syrup with Powdered Sugar :)
- 1 link of sausage
- 3 cups of Coffee

Snacks
- Sunchips
- Orange

Dinner
- Roast with Veggies and White Rice
- Chicken & Dumplings
- 2 Biscuits
- Tea

Desert
- Banana Pudding

2/6
Breakfast
1/2 Grapefruit
Water

Lunch/2nd Breakfast
- 4 Pieces of French Toast (Huddle House)
- Coffee - 2 Cups
- Sugar Free Syrup

Snacks
- Low Fat Caramel Popcorn
- Banana Pudding

Dinner
- Tomato Basil Chicken (recipe linked last week)
- Field Peas (canned)
- Pumpernickel Bread
- Salad with low fat Dijon Mustard

Monday 2/7

Breakfast
- Oatmeal
- Banana Raisin Bread (homemade), not as good as the Orange/Blueberry bread from last week but good. It is good I just don't like it as much.
- Coffee

Lunch
- Left over Basil Chicken
- Salad
- Bread
- Apple Juice

Dinner
- Chicken & Rice Casserole (and old favorite, but cooked with brown rice), couldn't tell difference
- Tomato and Cucumber Salad
- English Peas with Carrots (canned)
- Tea

Friday!

2011-02-04T04:54:00.000-08:00

TGIF! The week has been good, but hey - who isn't glad to see the the weekend come?

We are going to see my brother this weekend in Yulee (an hour east of Jacksonville). I'm looking forward to the visit as well as the escape from here. Not that here is bad, but a change of scenery will be good. So if I'm silent till Monday you know why :)

Things are still going well. Work is work and I'm thankful for the job. I'm getting stuff done and feel good about it. The lady I work with daily is doing a terrific job and while we have some hiccups we are working through them well. Its a great thing and I'm grateful for it.

I didn't get to do my cardio last night due to an eye appt, but I did get the weight lifting in. I think I need to push myself a bit more in the cardio arena, but we are enjoying the adventure.

Last night I didn't really try anything new at dinner other than roasting veggies. It was a recipe out of a book and you could really do any veggie. Heat oven to 475 and put veggies in a roasting pan or glass dish as I did. Roast them for 10 to 15 minutes until soft. I did asparagus, zucchini, broccoli, onions, and carrots. (you cut everything into small pieces, small sticks of carrot etc...) I don't think I'll do the broccoli again and the asparagus was a little gummy but everything else was great. I also put some salt/pepper on them. Super easy and good - I give it 4 stars and will cook it again.

- Steak :) always yummy and only read meat I've cooked this week.
- Left Overs from previous meals of the week - Clean out the fridge Thursday :)

Only thing I ended up throwing out of any quantity was the Zucchini Saute, next time I make it I need to cut it in 1/2 - it makes way too much for 3 people.

For breakfast

-Oatmeal
-Raisin Bread
-Coffee

For Lunch
-Left Over Meatloaf
-Left over Veggies from previous meals
-Tea

Snack
-Grapes

And with that I'll wish you a dynamite Friday! I hope its full of joy and good things. TGIF!

Tonight's Dinner

2011-02-02T18:22:00.000-08:00

First and foremost,God answers prayers! I lost my keys on Monday (house/car/house security fob/Jack's car/office/all of them...). I've been praying and have asked my FB family to pray they turn up. Today Sam's called and had found them!!!! Yes God is good all the time.

Today overall was really good - productive. For the first time since I started at B&C I feel as if I may get caught up. What I know, don't jinx it, but I can't take the credit. I have a new lady working with me that is really helping and I really have just handed the job over to God. It's amazing what you can do when you aren't trying to do it alone.

I did pretty good today with the food too though one recipe didn't quite work out. For those interested the food log is below, along with the link from last night's dinner. For those of you checking out due to not needing new recipes thanks for letting me share my day with you. Thanks for being my sounding board in the void of the internet. I love you all and wish you a great night's rest followed by a a day filled with joy and wonder.

Last Night (Sorry I didn't link it in the last post, I ran out of time this AM):
- - This was really good and super quick.
-Mexican Lime & Cilantro Coleslaw
Spicy Skillet Chicken - Not going in my recipe book, but Jack really liked it. I didn't care for it and neither did Mama.

Breakfast
-Raisin Bran Cereal
- 1/2 Piece of Orange-Blueberry Bread
- Coffee

Lunch
- Ham Sandwich on Honey Oat Bread
- Grapes
- Water

Snack: Tangerine & a miniature Mr. Goodbar :)

Dinner:
- Turkey Meatloaf ***** - Mama's Meatloaf Recipe with Turkey Vs Hamburger Meat. I couldn't tell the difference and Turkey is so much better for you!
- Garlic Cauliflower - **** - Super good, I liked the bite with no garlic, then next bite would have some effect. FYI - You could use frozen cauliflower w/ no issue in this recipe and I used Olive Oil instead of butter on the sauce.
- Farmhouse Carrots - I won't be making this again, but I am saving the recipe for the sauce that is created and poured over the carrots. The onions were delicious! The carrots were just carrots, they tasted like carrots, the glaze did not change their flavor at all. Why go through all the work just to eat a carrot. I can do that by opening the fridge and grabbing one. But the sauce was good on the onions, really really good. I'll make that again.
- Sweet Tea
- Bread

And with that I'll leave you since my eyes are trying to close. Good night blogland I love you.

Food Expierements Continue

2011-02-02T04:00:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a good day, productive and well just good. I got to this weeks email in my inbox, which is unheard of for me at work so I'm celebrating the small things :) Still behind, but man that feels good!

We got 2 miles of walking in at the gym and did our weight workout :) Loving it! Loving the fact my family is doing it with me.

Then I came home and tried some new recipes. Ratings are below. This expierement is fun and healthy. How can you beat that?

For those who are leaving now due to not being interested in food logs. I hope you have a great day filled with joy and the Lord's blessings.

Breakfast

1/2 Grape Fruit
1/2 Piece of the Orange Blueberry bread I made Sunday
Cofee

Lunch
I was bad and ordered my norm @ chick fil'a without thinking.

- Chickfil sandwich (fried)
- Fries
- Sweet Tea

Oops - But it was good :)

Dinner
Spicy Skillet Chicken (will enter link later, running late...) **** - I'll make it again.
Mexican Lime & Cilantro Coleslaw, I didnt' like it, neither did Mama. But Jack loved it.
Sweet Tea

The Day

2011-01-31T17:40:00.000-08:00

Well, this is the first day since the new me that I can say it wasn't perfect. But with The Lord's help I think I handled myself OK. A lady at work made it a point to let my manager know about something that I forwarded to her late, of course my manager knows how behind I am - I've made sure of that so she handled it for me. But it was this person's only intent to get me in trouble. The item I forwarded her was a documentation email only, nothing critical. I'll admit it upset me and it took some serious will power and God's help not to loose my cool completely. But a preacher I heard recently, or maybe it was a journal I read, not sure said that if someone is pushing your buttons and you start praying for them your frustration will lesson. I did it and you know what, it wasn't instant, but I can think about it now and just feel pity for her. I'm still a little peeved, but with the grace of God I'm not mad. It is what it is :)

The second thing that happened today and I need your prayers... I decided to go to Sam's to return something before I went to the gym. Somewhere between the car and the membership desk I lost my keys. After an extensive search I still have not found them. Please pray someone finds them and calls me (my # is on them) or turns them in at Sam's. It has so many keys on it, some of which are expensive to replace. Please say a prayer... God is good, hopefully he will find it pleasing/fit to return my keys to me.

So... Jack was nice enough to go home and get the spare, bring it to me and then we went to the gym. We only walked 30 minutes to getting there late, but we did a little over 2 miles - so while it wasn't our normal 40 at least we got something in.

We then came home and I tried out a new successful recipe. Food log for the day is below. I highly recommend dinner and breakfast :)

And with that I'll leave you for the evening and watch this movie. Have a dynamite and blessed evening.

Breakfast
- Piece of Orange / Blueberry Bread I talked about yesterday. Loved this for breakfast - Super, Super Yummy!

Lunch
- I took the chicken from yesterday, put some herb & garlic marinade on it and heated it up in a skillet, gave it some flavor :) **** - Ease 8 of 10
- Left over Zucchini Saute
- Left over Veggies from the Chicken Dish
- Sweet Tea

Dinner
- Shrimp, Sweet Corn and New Potato Boil - Everyone loved this dish! 5 Stars! Ease 3 out of 10. I did use real potato's and red potato's. I cooked the potatoes about 15 minutes before I added the corn and then started following the recipe. I was afraid since I changed the tater up that they wouldn't get done in the time the recipe called for...
- Salad, always a winner.
- Left over Zucchini Saute
- Left over Veggies from Chicken Dish
- Bread

This dish also made about just the right amount for 3, we only had about 1 leftover dish.

Yesterday's Food Experiment

2011-01-31T04:35:00.000-08:00

Well, yesterday was a super busy day, but blessed. I started yesterday at 6:30 and didn't stop till I went to bed at 9:30! But with God's help I got everything done on my list.

Mama and I went to church at The Sanctuary, Jack was having issues with a Kidney Stone and had to stay home (he is feeling much better now). Both of us really liked the service, you could certainly tell God showed up! The church is extremely large though, over 700 people. I've never gone to a large church and think I would miss the connections. Of course you are connected as you want to be, so ... We are going to try it a few more times and pray about it. God has the right church for us and he will let us know if this is it.

We then about our day. Had our "treat" lunch at Chili's! yummy. I had a ton of running around to do and got all of it accomplished. Question blogland - what grocery store do you use? I've changed from Publix to Walmart and/or Foodlion due to prices. But I don't like Foodlion's veggie's (not very appealing) and their meat dept doesn't have a lot of options and Walmart is lacking in options on everything else so I end up having to go to both, which isn't fun. Anyone have a great, affordable grocery store they use?

After my grocery store run(s) I came home to continue our experiment into healthy cooking.

First I made a breakfast bread for the week. Blueberry Orange Bread I cooked it like the instructions said except I used "olive oil" and I didn't do the glaze at all. It gets 5 stars on both ease and yumminess! Plus now I have it to eat on all week for breakfast. Next time I make it I'm going to substitute wheat flour, but I wanted to try it once w/o messing with it too much :) Note - Walmart doesn't sale the Fiber One cereal it calls for.

Next came dinner.

-Rosemary, Lemon Herb Chicken Dish - It was edible and I will finish it as my lunch left over, but it was a pain to make and it was super bland. I don't recommend it.

-Zucchini Saute - Ease was 4 out of 10, only due to timing. Yumminess 4 out of 5. This one will go into the keeper basket as a healthy good side. I liked the flavor. Note though, use a spaghetti pot, not a skillet. 4 zucchini take up a lot of room.

- Salad - Always a winner
- Pumpernickel Bread
- Sweet Tea

I also cooked breakfast yesterday.

- French toast (using Honey-Oat Bread) - *****
- Apple / Raisin Topping from a cookbook I have (1 cup Applesauce, 1/3 cup raisins, tablespoon Cinnamon, stir it up and put in microwave for a 2 min till warm). Yummy, super easy. I could eat this by itself or on top of French Toast/Pancakes/Etc...
- Scrambled Eggs w/ cheese
- Smoked Sausage
- Coffee

Ease of dishes 2 out of 10. Yumminess 5 out of 5.

And just for tracking - I had the Chips and Salsa + Chicken Fajitas at Chili's with Water.

I'm still enjoying this cooking adventure. Tonight is a shrimp dish :) Wish me luck!

Have a great day blogland!

Sunday Blessings

2011-01-30T04:04:00.000-08:00

It's Sunday Morning - The Lord's Day. Of course everyday should be the Lord's day in our lives, but something about Sunday is special. Its the day that we go to church and spend time with him in a group setting. Jack and I haven't been to church in a while, we've tried a couple down here since we moved but haven't found the church home and honestly haven't been trying to hard. That changes today! We are going to try a church and keep trying till we find the one God leads us to. It may not be every week, but I'm determined and believe we need to find a church home. Not only for the obvious reason, God wants us to. But I need it - I need it to help me live the way I need to (not everyone needs the weekly reminder, I do) - I also need to make some friends down here and what better way than church?

I listened to the preacher of this church online last Sunday and liked his speaking style so we'll see :) I hope you have a church home and if not I encourage you to find one today. God loves you and sent his Son to die for our sins, so that we may live with him in Glory. There is no time like the present to accept him into your Life as your Lord and Saviour. Need some more information? Please leave a comment - I don't have all the answers, but I'll be glad to try and help you learn about Jesus and the sacrifice he has made for you.

On another note yesterday was an AWESOME day. You are not going to believe what I did pretty much ALL by myself (with lots of prayers)!

I replaced the mechanism inside of Mama's toilet! Glamourous huh??? Hee - Seriously, I got out the tools and fixed a toilet. Can you believe it? I still can't! Jack couldn't either. I ended up taking more apart than I had to so I did extra work and I had to get him to tighten 2 nuts I couldn't get tight enough but other than that I did it and it works!

We also got some other good work done in Mama's Apartment. Not as much as I had hoped but good stuff: Jack hung the chair rail in her bedroom, mostly fixed her table (it still needs a little work), I began the chair recovering project (1.5 chairs down), fixed her bed frame, fixed vent, fixed hvac filter... and had a good time with family :) Good day! Long day, tiring day, but AWESOME!

After church today we are treating ourselves to lunch out and then have some errands to do around town (shopping / library / etc). It's going to be a great day. I hope yours is wonderful and full of God's blessings. Till next time, God bless.

Food log below for those interested:

1/29/11

Breakfast
- French Toast (White Bread :( ) Mama cooked, I asked her to use Wheat next time, but dang it was good :)
- Bacon
- Coffee (3 cups) - Not following 2 cup rule on weekends. I have to have some treat :)

Lunch
- Left over soup - We still have enough for 2 bowls, I froze it - We'll see how it does.
- Cornbread
- Apple Juice

Dinner
- Taco Salad -> We used the hard corn tortillas, I'm not sure about the healthiness of this meal. I would think it's pretty good for you other than being red meat. Any body have idea?
- Apple Juice

Snack: Raisins

Water - I think I only got down 2. I did drink apple juice a bit during the day. It is a weekend.

Keeping to the Routine

2011-01-29T04:58:00.000-08:00

It's Saturday, a day to break the norm and sleep till noon - oh wait that was me last year :) I woke up this morning @ 6:30 without an alarm and got up. I'm loving this new morning me. I enjoy the quiet time and I get so much done!

Working on Alice's photo shoot photo's this morning. I have so much to learn, but I think I can save enough that she will be happy, I pray I can.

Today is Mama Project Day :) We are working in her house to get several small things done that have been collecting. It will be fun, all three of us working together. I pray God be with us though, you know how people can be when they work together :) LOL

On a fun note we watched Red last night. Very fun movie - Well worth the rental. I may even buy it eventually.

Well I'm off to look at next week's menu while Lightroom finishes rendering Alice's photos. That program is such a memory hog, but I love it. It really is an awesome program for photographers who don't want to really do heavy editing but need some editing and organizing. Best organizer - EVER! Plus it links in with Smugmug so getting my pics out to the web is super easy.

Have a great day my friends. May God be with you as you enjoy the weekend. Food log below for those interested.

1/28

Breakfast
- 1 piece oatmeal raisin bread
- 1/2 Grapefruit
- Coffee

Lunch
- Ham Sandwich on Honey Oat Bread
- Salad with Light Dijon Mustard
- Apple Juice

Snack
- Homemade Cake Lady brought to work (small piece), felt icky after (not long, but just why did I eat that, too much sugar rush). Note desert is good, but fruit is too and you don't feel blah after... Not that I'm giving up cake.

Dinner
- 2 Bowls leftover soup
- 1 piece leftover cornbread
- Salad

Snack
- Kettle Popcorn (bagged)

Life Continues with Joy

2011-01-28T03:37:00.000-08:00

The new me continues and I'm loving it. This week completes week 2 of our workout/eating and I'm still enjoying it. No way that is under my own power - God is doing a work and I'm excited about it!

I mentioned a work situation in my blog yesterday. As a testimony I just want to say God stepped in, the meeting was ZERO drama, and all is well. Nothing is impossible when you turn it over to the Lord. Just sayin :)

Yesterday overall was a really good day, complete with a leg work out and 2 miles walked. Yes my legs are currently jelly! Jack is having some kidney stone issues so he had to skip, but Mama and I figured out the equipment with some help, before long we will be gym pros :) hee.

Today is Friday and we have a movie night planned, Red. I can't wait to see it. It looks like it is going to be really good. I'll let you know. And with that I'll wish you a blessed day. Time to get ready to face the day. Food log from yesterday below for those following.

Breakfast
- 2 pieces oatmeal raisin toast
- Maple/Brown Sugar Oatmeal
- Coffee

Lunch
- Baja Grilled Chicken Salad with Water - really good, had black beans in it - I'm sure the dressing wasn't healthy, but it tasted good and had some nice spice - Carolina Ale Business Lunch

Snack
- Banana

Dinner
- Mama made a Beef Veggie Stew, very hearty and YUMMY. - I had two bowls. ****, she is supposed to right down what she put in it for me.
- Cornbread made with light butter and olive oil. I actually liked it cooked better this way than I do with veggie oil, it was lighter.
- Sweet Tea

I'm finding it heard to track the water but I think I got 3 down yesterfday....

Work Out Time

2011-01-26T17:06:00.000-08:00

Wow, the work outs are kicking my butt some. I need to push myself a bit more, but I'm getting better each day. I ran 2 laps yesterday, today I did 3.5. I had to break it up a bit, but I did it. We also walked 2 miles and I did my weights and my legs are like jelly. The weights today weren't too bad, but my legs are dying, lol. It takes time to undo years of neglect and I'll do it - just going to take some time.

The day was good, productive and full of meetings. The lady that works with me is stressing because she is behind. She needs to learn to let it go a bit, compared to me she is current. She was in my bosses office with the door closed when I left so I'm sure tomorrow there will be a bit of drama. I pray I handle it well and right now I claim peace over the situation in Jesus name!!!!

I'm still loving life and loving this new me. I pray it continues. And with that I wish you a terrific evening. Foodie Journal for the day is below.

Breakfast
Maple / Cinnamin Oatmeal
1 Piece of Oatmeal / Raisen Bread
Coffee

Lunch
Grilled Chicken on Pasta in a Creole sauce - Business Lunch, I'm sure it wasn't super healthy, but it was good.
Water

Dinner
1 Rib
Salad
Potato Salad
1 Piece of Honey Wheat Butter Bread, not as good as 100%.
Cabbage
English Peas
Tea

Water Count: 111

Good Morning

2011-01-26T03:51:00.000-08:00

Good Morning Blogland,

I hope this day finds you full of joy and wonder at the things God has made.

Yesterday was great! The day was productive at work and then we went to the Gym for our first "formal" work out. Since we are learning the equipment it took 1.5 hr, but that will get faster. We all did really well, I was so proud of Mama for doing the weights. We are on same regiment (or really close) and I know a few of them kicked my rear, ok so all of them kicked my rear :) Especially the Chest Press and the Overhead Press, man! I'm super out of shape. We couldn't' get two of the running machines beside each other so we did the track instead. I ran almost 2 laps with Jack (12 laps = 1 mile) and I almost died. Got get my cardio healthier, but Rome wasn't built in a day and I'll get there! All things are possible with God and will power :)

We then came home and had dinner (details below), Jack bathed the cats who looked liked drowned rats (so funny) and I spent some time with Mama helping her on the computer. It was a good night and I'm thankful to be able to be surrounded by family who loves me.

What are you thankful today?

And with that I'll leave you for the day. I hope you have a great one.

Yesterday's Meals:

Breakfast
- Bowl of Raisen Bran + Coffee

Lunch
- Business Lunch: Carolina Ale - Grilled Tuna on a Salad with Light Dressing + Water - no idea if it was in olive or veggie oil, but it was good. Hopefully it was healthy.

Dinner
- Ribs (She boiled them, then covered in BBQ sauce) - Yumm
- 1 Piece of Bread - Honeybutter Something, not whole wheat, but better than white.
- Potato Salad, home made - yumm.
- Boiled Cabbage cooked in olive oil with a bit of light butter. Not sure why both were in but it was good. I need to try and cook this and see how to do it. I love cabbage.
- Mixed Veggies, cooked
- Salad with Light Dijon Dressing
- 1 Glass of Tea

Water intake for day 3

Physical Assessment

2011-01-25T03:52:00.000-08:00

Good Morning Blogland. I hope this day finds you full of joy!

I ran out of time yesterday and didn't get my daily blog in. I'm trying to be sure I log our progress in the food/health department as I need the reminder of what I am doing. Plus, I'm enjoying it - just hope I'm not boring blogland too much :)

Yesterday was good. Work was good, though a little scattered. We didn't have to be to the gym yesterday until 6 for our assessment so I had time to run an errand at Lowes between that and Work. -> Had to pick up an extra remote... By the way, as a side note we have a new remote for our fan in the bedroom. I know it sounds silly, a remote for the light /fan. Lord, it is such a blessing. If you don't have one - Pick one up today. It is so nice to cut the fan off before getting out of bed. I am loving it ... I had to pick up another one for the chandellier in our living room since there is no wall that goes to the switch. Yes I have a weird house :)

Anyway, just thought I'd share that, they aren't that expensive and I LOVE it!

We then went to the gym to meet our trainer. He measured us, taught us how to use the equipment and helped us develop a plan for us to really get started. Last week all we did was walk, but we will be adding weights this week and maybe a walking machine. I'm not sure how the machines will work because there are only 4 of them that I think work for Mama and we want to work out together so we may be on the track for the walking and then just push ourselves a bit more, I have a feeling getting two machines beside each other will be difficult... We will see.

Anyway, it was a good session, very informative and I'm not scared of the equipment anymore :) We also talked Nutrition some... He recommended moving from Hamburger to Turkey. I may give it a shot in some things... though I'm not 100% willing to give it up. I will go lean though :)

And with that I'll leave you with yesterday's food menu. It's Mama's week to cook so no new recipes from me, but I'll be trying some new ones next week, just got find which ones :) Have a great day blogland! May God bless and keep you as the day continues.

Breakfast

1/2 Grapefruit + 2 Pieces Raisen Bread
Coffee

Lunch

1/2 Left over Steak
Left over Steamed Veggies
1 Piece Wheat Bread
Sweat Tea

Snack: Grapes

Dinner
1 & 1/2 Tuna Fish Salad on Wheat Bread
Apple
Tea

Drinks - Limiting Coffee to 2 a day and drinking water except for meals. I think I managed 3 16 oz Deer Park's yesterday. Need to get to 4 to be recommended water intake. Going to try and keep better track of this for next few days.

Craft Room Done

2011-01-23T17:07:00.000-08:00

Today has been great. For the first time ever I have my own "craft" area. I finally finished unpacking the spare bedroom :)

Unpacked boxes
Got 3 boxes ready for Goodwill
Took Stuff out to the Building
Got extra paintings stored away

Once I got all that done i was able to set up a great craft area for both my sewing and my scrapbooks. I have lots of room and everything is neatly labeled. I'm in love it and can't wait to use it.

By doing this I was also able to empty up my desk a good bit (since the scrap-booking stuff moved) so now I have more room in two areas. Just awesome - so super excited!

It took me most of the day, but it is done. Woot! Crafts coming soon.

Going to chill and watch some TV. Have a terrific night guys ! May God give you a great night sleep and a terrific week.

Food Update below for those interested.

Breakfast:

- Scrambled Eggs with a bit of milk - ****
- Bacon (Microwaved) - ***
- Left over sausage from Sat. - ****
- Wheat / Honey Oat Bread - *****
- Cantaloupe - *****

Lunch
- Ham /Cheese Sandwich - ****
- Banana - ****
- Jack had Salad - *****

Dinner
- 1/2 of a Left over Steak - *****
- Mixed Veggie (frozen) - *** - I still need to learn how to melt Velveeta cheese
- Creamed Corn (canned) - ****
- Baked Potatoes - ****
- Wheat Bread - ****

Weekend Bliss

2011-01-23T04:24:00.000-08:00

This weekend has been nice so far, no stress - just doing some things on my list, piddling and enjoying the fact that I can.

Yesterday I woke up SUPER early @ 4:30 and just couldn't sleep so figured, get up. I made a rambled blog and then to begin research our new eating style some more, I want to make sure we are doing this right, but at the same time I'm not at the point where I'm going to go insane.

I.E. - Whole Milk, love it, will probably drink it till I die
- Sugar (refined) - Yes its not great for you and I'm going to try and cut it out of food I buy (i.e. - no hamburger helper - I mean geash, what does that need sugar in it for), but I'm not changing to a splinda or anything at this time. We don't cook with it too much and I'll try to reduce it in what I buy processed but... I love my sugar.

But I can swap to 100% whole grain foods (be sure and learn how to read the packages apparently the co that sell it to us can be "friendly with their words") and I can cook with olive oil, change to light butter, light mayo/salad dressings, eat more veggies, have fruit around for snacks vs. Little Debbie's and know what goes into our body.

So that is what we are doing. It's fun to learn how and honestly I'm really enjoying the experience. Next week is Mama's week to cook and I need to replace a couple items in her kitchen, not fair to ask her to replace it since we are the ones that want her to use them. While she takes the reins I'll be figuring out what is on the agenda for the following week.

Tomorrow we have our "health" assessment at the gym. Wish us luck. They are going to help us develop something for us and teach me how to use the machines. We got 6 free sessions with the membership and I'm looking forward to getting really started.

And with that I'll leave you with yesterday's foodie update. God bless you on this Sunday morning. May God reach down and touch you where you are in a mighty way. Love you and see you on the flip side.

Also note - Do you have a healty recipe you love? If so please share :)

Breakfast
- Eggs scrambled with cheese and red bell peppers (I put a little milk in) - **** - Very good, though next time I may add another veggie too for a bit more flavor. Jack really liked it but also thought another veggie may be good.
- Smoked Sausage, pan heated (no oil added) - ***** - Ok so not healthy, but I'm not planning on cutting out red meat, just may buy leaner cuts and it tasted super yummy.
- Honey Oat Bread - ***** - Note Jack doesn't want his toasted in the future.

Ease to Cook 3 out 10, too long for weekdays, but great for the weekend.

Lunch
- Salad - ***** - Based on research I changed our salad up a bit, added more color: Iceberg/Romain/Red Cabbage/Cucumber/Red Bell Pepper/Green BellPepper - I Loved the new textures. Will go this way from now on. I also top mine with cheese. Tried a new "fat free" honey dijon mustard dressing that was really good. - FYI I make a really big bowl so it last us a few days.
- Ham Sandwich with Cheese - ***** - Super easy and always a fav. - I'm making the transition to wheat bread and had 1/2 sandwich on 100% Whole Wheat and 1 on Honey Oat. I can eat the whole wheat and it is good so we will begin to transition over to that for future meals after we eat what we have.

Dinner
- Salad - *****
- Baked Potatos w/ Light Butter and Cheese - *****
- Steak marinated in Dale Sauce - ***** - I may move to the reduced sodium Dale Sauce, have't tried it. We both love this marinade though so it may have to be an unhealthy staple. The sodium in it is out of this world. We did both only eat 1/2 a steak and found that it was more than enough food. Amazing how you don't need ad much as you think sometimes, plus now I have steak for today.
- Pumpernickle Bread - ***** - Toasted

Not new at all but easy easy meal to cook - Always a Win in my household.

4:30 - Awake

2011-01-22T01:38:00.000-08:00

It's 4:30 and I'm awake. It's funny I actually started to go to bed at 10:30 when I was sleepy, but delayed because I wanted to check out a recipe or two online... next thing I know I didn't get to bed till almost 12 and now I'm awake. Sleepy a little, but thoughts racing through my head of what I want to do etc... so I figured I would get up and, eat an apple, and write some things down to see if I can't slow the roll and get some more shut eye.

It's really amazing the things that go through your head while you are trying to go to sleep, plans for the house, foodie plans are racing in my mind at the moment, things you plan to do the next day and recently planning the most effective way to do them (why I don't know, just is). Work is also meddling it's way in, things I need to do. I'm trying to push that out with a forklift, this is my weekend - NO WORK ALLOWED!

You know what ---- It feels good to be happy/content. I've been pleased before and I've been happy before to a degree, but nothing like this. Nothing this consistent, this eternal, this pleasant. I thank God for this change in me, this light switch that seems to have been cut on, and pray that it continues. I pray that those around me share in the joy and elation I feel.

And with that blogland I will bid you a night. I'm going to get out my handy list, because oh how I love logical list that I can mark a line through in my cute notebooks that are always around and then go back to try and get a few hours of shuteye before I'm taking pictures of little monsters :)

Thanks for listening to the ramble, God bless - love you.

Happy Friday Blogland

2011-01-21T04:07:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday Blogland, I hope this day finds you full of joy and expectation.

I missed my blogging last night of our new life because Jack stole the laptop (laptop thief :) ) hee. But overall yesterday was great. Good work done, healthy eating (I hope), 45 min walk (with 2 laps ran) and a nice dinner at home with family + a couple of chores.

I'm just loving this new me and pray that God helps her to stay around. I love the energy, the focus on new things and well just the excitement that I feel.

Tomorrow I get to do a photo-shoot for a family down the street. I've never done one so it will be an experience. Wish me luck, I'm doing it for free so hopefully they will be happy with what they get :) LOL

Today I'm also starting Friday Celebration @ lunch with some girls. I'm hoping we can all go out and get some Friday fun on to end the week. A treat for all of us and a reward for my trying to eat in at home ($$$) at least 3 days a week. I hope it works out.

Next week is Mama's week to cook - we divide every other week, so I'll be researching the recipes for 2 weeks from now and checking in occasionally. She is cooking healthier too, though I may have to watch her :) LOL Love you guys! Have a terrific day.

Yesterday's foodie items are below - Yumm, Yumm :) Love you guys, have a blessed and happy Friday!

Breakfast -

- 1/2 Grapefruit + Coffee

Lunch
- Left over noodles with tuna salad (Tuna/Mayo/Salt/Pepper/Onion) mixed in - *** - Note, we tried swapping to light mayo, Jack bought Miracle Whip, that is a no go for me. Going to have to try another brand or something, I didn't like the Wang it gave the food...
- Left over Green Beans/Squash from night before.

Dinner
- Hamburger Veggie Soup - ***** - This is the second time I've made this dish and I'm sure there is recipe somewhere, but I threw it together. - Super easy, fairly healthy (I hope) and super yummy.

Recipe:
Chop Bell Pepper
Chop Onion
Cook 1 ib Hamburger Meat with Bell Pepper and Onion in it - I also added garlic salt/salt/pepper

Open Cans of
- Corn
- Stewed Tomato's
- Green Beans

Heat for 30 min and serve.

I tried canned Ocra in it last time I made it and didn't like it. I think next time I may make the meat the night before and cook it in the crock pot so I can add fresh potato's/carrots and maybe some squash. The potato's / carrots take to long to cook to try adding them the night of I would think.

- Unhealthy Biscuits out of Can also served, but hey Rome wasn't built in a day :)
-

New Life Continues

2011-01-19T18:27:00.000-08:00

My metamorphosis into who ever continues. I'm enjoying this, enjoying my life, enjoying the energy (though it is going down some) and loving my family.

God is good all the time isn't he?

Today I woke up, before my alarm and got out of bed. Me getting up before 30 minutes after my alarm goes off is unheard of. I've never been a morning person, but everyday this week I've been up in time to at least eat something before going to work and in some instances doing a chore or two. Loving it...

I got dressed and ate breakfast, started a load of cloths, unloaded the dishwasher, copied pics onto my computer and headed to the office. Work was productive and I got to come home for lunch where I did a couple more chores (folded cloths/started fresh load). Went back to work, got stuff done in a systematic manner and then went to walk for 45 minutes at the gym with Mama and Jack. Came home cooked dinner, played Scrabble with Mama and my brother and now I'm here talking to you... Yep good day overall. Productive and Blessed.

And in continuing with our food experiments / tracking I did try two new recipe's tonight (kinda).

Breakfast:
- Instant Oatmeal out of packet - *** - Not as healthy as the homemade one the other day, but quicker, made less and well tasty - 10 out of 10 for ease

Lunch
- Ham/Cheese Sandwich on Honey Oat Bread - *** - Super easy and tasty
- Left Over Salad - *****

Dinner
- Baked Chicken Marinated in Herb and Garlic Marinade - **** - Not really new on the baked chicken, but first time I've used the Marinade - Everyone really loved it, had good flavor.
- Green Beans (canned) with Fresh Squash - **** - Not new but super easy and healthy.
- Apple Glazed Sweet Potato's - ** - Flavor was ok for me and Mama, but Jack doesn't like Sweet Potato's so he was a no go. It wasn't hard to make, though it took longer than it said it would to cook and cutting raw sweet potato's into thin slices is not easy by no mean - Ease to Make due to cutting on this would be 6 out of 10 to me, everything else was pretty easy.
- Bread and Lite Margarine - *****

Overall Ease of Dinner - 4 out of 10 - I'll do almost all of it again, though I don't think the Sweet Potato dish will go in my file to be made again. Live and learn, but fairly healthy meal overall (I hope).

Hee - I'm enjoying this cooking process. It's fun to play, tomorrow is a simple soup that I've made before, but it's healthy and I can make enough of it to last into the weekend :)

Thanks for reading my ramble blog friends. May God bless and keep you this evening and for the days to come. Have a terrific night - Love you.

Recipe Gone Wrong

2011-01-18T18:24:00.000-08:00

Well, today was good, very productive. I got up, ate a grapefruit - **** - for breakfast, did a few chores and headed to work.

The day was productive with a good lunch at home in the middle of the day (tuna salad in leftover noodles - ***. Went for a 45 minute walk at the gym, ran to the grocery store and came home to try the latest recipe:

- Thai Scallops & Noodles - * - NO GO for me, though I did substitute shrimp since I don't like Scallops - Jack liked it pretty good (he said), but to me it was way too peanut buttery and well just gross.

- Salad - *****
- Honey Wheat Bread (toasted) - ****
- Raisen Bran Ceral :) - ****

Won't be doing that one again, but hey you never know till you try. Out of the week so far this is the first one I hated so hey I'll take what I can get. Tomorrow is a Chicken Dinner with some new sides - wish me luck.

Still getting stuff done and loving it. Love you guys - God Bless!

Energy / Health Foodie / LIfe is Great

2011-01-17T18:51:00.000-08:00

The past few days have been incredible / amazing / productive / etc...

I'm not sure if it is the steroids the Dr. has me on, the food choices or the exercise, but I have had more energy in the past few days than I think I have had in my life and I'm loving it. The odd thing is I've had less sleep than ever as well - so odd.

Thursday night, as you know from my rambling I was up in till 4 AM, but despite that Friday was a terrific day. I got so much done at work (a productive/successful day), then came home and made the first "healthy" meal of our new life. If is not exactly like we ate super unhealthy before, just trying to be more focused at this point about it. I have never been the super "fry" everything cook or anything, but I'm trying to cook in more healthy oils / with more concentration on veggies / fruit snacks and etc...

But I digress - over the next few days I hope you don't mind if this turns into a bit of a food blog. I want to use this to track what recipes work / what doesn't etc.. So you ready ?

1/15

Dinner
-Flounder: Marinated in Cajun Sauce - NO (bland/too fishy)
-Frozen Brocolli with Cheese - *** - Good but I need to learn the cheese better (it got hard)
- Salad - ***** - Can never go wrong here, though I probably need to check the dressings we use to make sure they are good for us. But Rome was not built in a day.

Ease to Make 3 out of 10

1/16

Breakfast
-Strawberry Pancakes - * -Pancakes are good, but you can't cook the strawberries inside of them. it has to be a topper.
-Bacon - Microwaved - ***** -Not too healthy, but I got most of the greese off and well just yummy.

Ease to Make - 6 out of 10

Dinner
-Zesty Chicken Salsa - **** - Good Flavor in the Chicken -Jack liked salsa topping (said he could eat it as a salad in itself), maybe add a bit more lime next time/or let it mix flavors longer.

-Field Peas out of Can - *** - Love these
-Biscuits (canned) - *** - not too healthy, but I love them
-Salad - *****

Ease to Make 3 out of 10

1/17

Breakfast
-Apple Oatmeal (with fresh apples)- * - Makes way too much (would need to cut recipe in 1/3) - Not sweet enough - which it wouldn't be since it's healthy, but the flavor didn't do it for me - Took too long to make for breakfast

Ease to Make 5 out of 5 (not hard just too much time for breakfast)

Lunch
-Left overs from 1/16.

Dinner
-Tomato Basil Chicken - **** - Need to only cook the pasta amt required in the recipe vs. winging it and making way too much - Need to use 3 tomatos vs. 2 as there needed to be more pasta that way you can really drown the pasta a bit/help the flavors mix. But I liked the salsa flavor.

- Salad - *****
- English Peas out of Can - ***
- Pumpernickle Bread - *****

Ease to Cook - 5 of 10

Well that is the cooking segment for today, but that is not everything. Remember I told you this weekend was productive.

Friday Mama and I went shopping for this "healthy food spree". I had to go back and buy new basics as the oils / marinades / spices are all different from what I normally buy and who help you better learn how to shop for groceries than your Mother. Something I never really did with her before it was kinda cool.

Saturday Mama and I spent several hours shopping - finding and marking stuff off the list that I made Thursday night.

- Door Bells for the house
- Fabric for Curtains upstairs (57 for fabric vs. 40 for one panel (I need 8 panels)-WIN
- Puzzle Board / Puzzle Board Cover
- Lowes Run
- Spice Racks
- Helped Jack get Insullation to Dump

Jack also was productive:

- Organized his shop some more
- Carried A bunch of stuff to Building
- Loaded 2nd Load of Insullation

Sunday Mama and I went shopping for a few more things that I didn't get to on Sat.

- New Coffee Pot (Keurig 1450)
- Got some organizational baskets for spices
- Target Run

I also got all of this shopping accomplished plus some more:

- Kitchen Reorganized
- Washed Place Mats (got them ready to iron)
- Washed Odd House Stuff (extra linens / etc..)
- Cleaned up the shopping spree
- Reviewed recipes / rated them / planned rest of week
- Organized Laundry Room a bit

We attempted to watch a move "dinner for Schmucks" - I do not recommend at all. We actually cut it off before it got even 1/2 way through. We then wente to bed at 10:30, but I did not fall asleep until 4ish - again. Yet again today was great.

- I got a ton of work done / very focused / productive.
- We went to work out - Walked 45 Min - 2.5 MM
- Went and exchanged spice rack
- Bought Mama "magic jack"
- Cooked Dinner
- Cloths are layed out for tomorrow
- Work out cloths ready
- Washed a load of cloths
- Boiled Eggs for tomorrow's lunch (tuna / noodle salad - using left over noodles from dinner)

It's 10:30 and I am beginning to get tired. Hopefully I'll sleep tonight - I'm loving this energy level. If it is the steroids, hopefully by time I stop taking them, the workout, food will have kicked in and I can continue this. I'm just loving it...

On a unfortunate note I do need prayers for the following:

- Lady I work with husband had to go the hospital today. Pray that God will bring his healing hand to him and his calming hand to her.
- My pastor's wife (Linda's) mother is having some health issues (Cancer). Please keep her in your prayers.
- Another lady I work with has been diagnosed with Breast Cancer.

Please keep these three in your prayers / thoughts.

God Bless You and Thank you for listening once again to this ramble/list/push into the void. Love you friends - God Bless!

Restless

2011-01-13T22:24:00.000-08:00

It's 1:30 AM and I was laying in bed failing to fall asleep my mind was racing. Racing with plans, thoughts, dreams, hopes, failures, prayers and etc... So I figures I would get up and put some of those thoughts down... hoping it would empty my mind so the sleep I need will come.

Do you find it odd that life / moods / dreams come in spurts? There are days I could care less about anything - the thought of completing another day is daunting and then there are times where I can do anything. I guess it's part of being human, part of being a woman and well just me. I've been this way all my life - the roll-a-coaster of feelings / dedication / will power.

Right now I'm in plan mode. I'm in clean mode. I'm in organize mode. I'm in list mode. I'm also for the first time in my life getting serious about my health. I'm getting serious about getting into shape (started our workouts at the Y today). I'm getting serious about the food we put in our bodies. I Will have to relearn how to cook, but we are going to start eating better around here.

In addition to that I'm planning things in the house again. I had dropped into a state of melancholy where I didn't care if burned to the ground, but I'm getting back to wanting to decorate/organize etc... Slowly, but it's coming.

I'm also getting well. I got sick on the 30th of December and was out of work for over 5 days (7 total, but 2 were due Ice and boy was I glad for the ice). Today is the first day I've felt really human again. The Dr said it would take a few weeks before I was 100% but I'm done. I'm done being sick and getting sick so much. I'm hoping/praying this new found wellness kick will help. I'm hoping and praying it isn't' a kick but a new lifestyle. I'm determined to not call it a resolution as well I didn't start it on new years and I want it to be life long so there... It is a lifelong change that started today!

Work is work and I hate it. But am grateful for the job right now with two house payments. I think once Madison Green Sales I'm taking some time off - it still up in the air but I think I'm going to take some time to find me. I know that sounds odd, but I've been working since I was 15 - I worked full time during both degrees and fell into my career. It's a good one that has taken care of me, but I never took that self discovery time that most take in college. The time to figure out who you are and what you want to be. And the Lord willing I'm going to take it in the next few years... I'm going to find myself and I'm going to love her.

My husband is great. I looked at him tonight and realized that I am the most lucky woman alive. He understands me, gets that I am a roll-a-coaster and loves me regardless. He hugs me when I'm sad, stays away from me when I need him to and is always trying to help me find my happy place, where ever that is. He is giving and loving - while being hard as nails when he needs to be. God knew what he was doing when he put these two opposites together - I couldn't survive with anyone else.

And with that sappy step I'm going to stop and start writing my list on paper of the things I want to get done this weekend. Thanks for letting me send this out into the void, if you read it forgive the random nature of it and know I love the fact you took the time to let me share this piece of myself with you. God bless you and your family in this new year.

Love your cyber friend,

Mylerna

Christmas Season

2010-12-23T18:33:00.000-08:00

It's two days before Christmas and I sit here wondering how? How did it get here that quickly? Wasn't just yesterday August?

No, seriously Ive got the shopping done but it just doesn't feel like Christmas. I've even had my family Christmas already, with the dinner, gifts and etc... but it doesn't feel like Christmas.

Why? I don't know. Nothing feels at it should right now, everything is skewed. Why? Again I don't know - Work is a part of it, but it can't be wholly to blame as we make our own attitudes.

So what now? Now I open my eyes - Thank God for sending his only begotten Son to die on a cross for me and celebrate his birthday with thankfulness that it should be given. I may not feel like it's Christmas and I may not ever get in the "spirit" this year, but I know this. I am truly thankful for what I have, for my family (even though I love to hate them) and for a God who loves me enough to give me everything. May the upcoming year have me spending more time on my relationship with him and less time stressing over nothing.

I wish you and yours a very merry Christmas! May God Bless and Keep you and yours.

Dreams, Tiredness, Stubborness, Me

2010-09-12T21:17:00.002-07:00

Tonight I sit here - my eyes drooping, knowing I need to be in bed, but instead I sit here. Posting things, surfing the net and reflecting. Reflecting on what it is to be me.

I do this ever so often, quite often actually:

I reflect, reflct on what I want, where I am and why I am. I never come up with any answers, but I reflect.

I worry, worry we made the wrong decision to move here, worry I'm not being supportive enough, worry that I am not being optomistic enough, worry that we made the right decision to move here and I'm just not letting go to my old life.

I want, want the house to be something I'm proud of, want a job I enjoy, want friends to go and do with, want to not have to work at all, want a child.

I slack, slack on doing the projects in the house, slack on my prayer life, slack on doing anything fitness related, I slack.

I appreciate, appreciate a husband that loves me, I appreciate a husband that puts up with me even if he doesn't necessarily get me, I appreciate a mother that supports me, I appreciate the roof over my head, I appreciate the food in my belly, I appreciate the right I have to sit here in my pjs thanks to those who have gone before, I appreciate.

I wish, wish I was more of a doer, wish I had more drive than I had dreams, wish I didn't want so much, wish I had it all, I wish I was anyone but me.

And with that I'll go to bed - my reflections are getting deep, which means I'm more tired than I originally believed. So good night dear void - til next time.

Day 6 Wilmington

2010-09-12T21:17:00.001-07:00

We got up around 10 and went out for breakfast – Waffle House, my home away from home. We then wandered down to the historic district and took the trolley tour. Wilmington has one of the largest historic districts I think I’ve seen. The homes are gorgeous as is the feel of the town. While on the tour we also learned that One Tree Hill, one of my shows, is filmed in the town and was actually filming that day –How Cool Was That! You know I had to check it out. So after the trolley ride we walked up to the Cloths Over Bros store, not really a store, just a front covered with plastic and lots of movie people outside.

We got a drink at the café across the street and watched for a bit. I didn’t get to see any of the actors, but it was still cool.

We then headed back to the hotel to rest a bit before dinner.

For dinner we met some longtime friends, Mark & Robyn who moved up here about 10 years ago… And it’s been that long since we had seen them. Their daughter is almost 18, she has grown so much – I was amazed. It was really nice to see them! I hope it’s not another 10 years before we see them again.

After dinner we headed home, back to Grovetown. The trip was a great success, can’t wait till our next journey

Day 5 – Wright Brothers / Roanoke / Rest

2010-09-12T21:16:00.001-07:00

We got up this morning and ate the continental breakfast – this hotel has an awesome breakfast, especially given it’s free. We then went to the Wright Museum and saw where the first motorized flight took place. It’ awesome to think how far we have come, in such a short time from that short flight. Jack seemed to enjoy the museum; it’s nice to see him interested in something. Nice to see him really enjoying an event, he normally just tags along. I think he has fun, but it’s hard to tell sometimes.
We then went to lunch at the Full Moon in Montea, per the dolphin driver’s suggestion. I wish I could have my money and my hour back.... that’s all I’ll say about that.

We then walked around Montea for a bit and then escaped back to the hotel for a nap – it’ s a good day for a lazy afternoon. Jack and I walked down to the beach for a few minutes before resting – the waves are huge as Hurricane Earl plays havoc in the sea – the sun brutal and the day perfect.

The nap afterwards was also great, followed by dinner at the “Kill Devil Hill Diner”, good stuff. Now we are back in our hotel enjoying a night of relaxation. Tomorrow we leave for Wilmington, doubt we can drive down the coast like I wanted to, thanks Earl – but at least we got to see the islands. So far it’s been a nice relaxing trip.

Day 4 – Cape Hatteras / Dolphin Watch

2010-09-12T21:15:00.002-07:00

We woke up and went down to breakfast around 9 AM. We were all tired, not sure why, but we all got started a bit slow. Since the hurricane is threatening to arrive and mess with our schedule we decided to drive on down and see Cape Hatteras. The drive was about an hour and it was a peaceful drive, but honestly I could have slept. We got to the Cape Hatteras and I enjoyed taking pictures of it... we decided not to walk up it. 12 flights of stairs and the heat not a great combo, but it was nice to look at.

We then stopped at a local diner for some lunch and headed back to Kitty Hawk. We elected to call it an early afternoon and get some rest – I walked in the hotel, laid down and went to sleep, guess I needed it. We got up and went to the dolphin watch tour at 4:30.

We got to see lots of dolphins; they were a full school of them around the boat. It was terrific. We were out for 2 hours and I’d say at least 1 ½ of that was with Dolphins; we also got to see the sun set which was terrific. We ate dinner at 5 Guys and got a great hamburger; no matter the state they always make the best burgers.

We then went to the beach and watched the waves for a few – they are getting higher and higher as the storm approaches. I love to watch them; it’s super relaxing.

Day 3 - Currick / Corral / Horses

2010-09-12T21:15:00.001-07:00

We got up this morning and went to breakfast around 9. We then left the hotel and headed up to Currick Lighthouse. The heat was intense and the lighthouse was interesting. It was too hot to go up in it, but I enjoyed taking pictures from the ground and the area was quaint. We also walked down the boardwalk and took pictures of a blue heron bird that was hanging out, he was very pretty.

We were scheduled to go on a wild horse tour at 3:30, but we were done early.... so we called them and moved our trip up to 1, which required us to find some food quick. We ended up a BBQ restaurant called Smokeys at 12:30 ... there was no one in it except the waitress. She was older and super nice, but the BBQ sandwich we all agreed on due to time left something to be desired.

We then went to meet with the tour and it was worth it. We were in a suburban with an open back – the best of convertible and AC :) We drove on the beach and though two beach towns. Towns with no paved roads and that require a 4 wheel drive... The horses are wild and you aren’t allowed within 50 feet, that is unless they are standing in your garage enjoying the shade, which they do. We saw lots of horses in various herds and it was terrific. They were gorgeous and unthreatened by us. Out here they are the top of the food chain and know it.

Our tour guide was interesting. He was around 30 and has lived in multiple states...he loves the theater and him and his wife are planning a movie this winter about how someone 20/30 deals with having cancer. I wish them the best; it’s nice to see free spirits doing what they love.

After the tour we headed back to the hotel and took a nap. I can’t tell you how much I needed it – the sun can take it out of you. We got up around 6 and went to a Southwestern Restaurant called “Chili Peppers”. The chips/dip were ok, but my steak salad was excellent. The steak was moist and flavorful.

After dinner we passed dunkin doughnuts, which of course meant I got coffee – finally! We then went to play putt putt – it was fun, but at times it felt rushed due to the crowds. We had a good time overall though... despite my multiple 5 putts :)

We then came back and went and sat on the beach for a good hour or so. It was very relaxing and the crabs were still numerous. It was great...

Day 2 - Raleigh to the Outer Banks

2010-09-12T21:13:00.003-07:00

Yesterday I didn’t log it as i should, but it was a good day. We got up a little late and left our hotel in Raleigh around 10:30. We then went to the JC Ralston Gardens at the University in town. It was nice, though it didn’t grab my interest as I thought it was. I blame it on lack of coffee.... We spent an hour at the Gardens and then left to find the1911 Carousel – this required a stop at the Waffle House for cold drinks for them or coffee for me...

We then left Raleigh for the Outer Banks. It was about a 4 hour drive and Jack was nice to all of it so i could read my book. We made it to the hotel around 4 and decided to rest for an hour or so before heading to grab some dinner. I finished my book during the down time and we later went to the Black Pelican at the recommendation of the hotel clerk. It was one of the most interesting restaurants... The lights were Tiffany, the chairs plastic and the decor lifesavers.... Upon looking at the menu I liked to have choked with $15 to $30 plates, but after eating the crab legs I can say it was well worth it. OMG that was good - Jack had to get it where I could eat it, but it was delicious.

We then came back to the hotel and took a walk on the beach. It was dark and the waves were crashing loudly. Very relaxing...... There were washed up Jelly Fish and little crabs were everywhere, both babies and large crabs. It was great and seeing them scurry made the trip worth it.

Day 1 - Raleigh

2010-09-12T21:13:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was the first day of our vacation and it was very enjoyable. We woke up and were at the Farmers Market Restaurant by 9 am. The food was great, the company better and the outdoor bistro that welcomed puppies make it perfect. After asking to sit outside I almost wish I hadn’t because the interior was decorated so fun with bright colors, but the sun was a welcome change from our normal day.

We then walked through the Farmers Market. Lots of people, fresh food and hustle/bustle. It was great. It got a lemonade drink that was awesome:

1 Squeezed Orange, ½ Lemon, ½ Lime, Tablespoon Cherry, Water, Ice, Shaken

After the market we went and visited the capital building. The outside of it wasn’t that impressive, but the inside had some great architecture. The downtown area of Raleigh was also great. You could tell that during the work week the hustle and bustle would be interesting to watch. After the capital we stopped for a drink at the local coffee shop and rested while we decided our next move. We ended up walking on down to the City Market to eat at a restaurant, but it ended up being closed. So we ate at a local Italian restaurant that was open instead, a great find. The food was good, the atmosphere homey and the murals on the wall gorgeous. I loved watching the families with their children and the staff who were obviously a family, even if it wasn’t by blood. There office was a table in the corner and the scattered paperwork just added to the charm.

After eating we drove to the executive mansion and the historic Oakwood district. The buildings were great though many could use some good old fashioned TLC. We then headed back to the hotel for some rest before the concert.

Jack and I left the hotel after some good napping on my part and went to get some food before going to the concert. We were going to do something quick like Subway, but ended up at a surprise, lucky find -> The Lotus Leaf. A great Thai restaurant that I loved. I got a dish with noodles, beef and a brown sauce that was ok – Jack got a sweet & sour veggie dish that was awesome.

We then went to the Adam Lambert concert at the Progress Energy Center. The venue was nice and the concert was incredible. His voice was so clean despite the loudness and the show was extremely entertaining. He will be an icon of our times. One thing that happened before he came out that was one of the most magical times I can ever remember. It was during the intermission and the lights had been up for a good 10 minutes. I guess people got tired of waiting -> so they decided to party. Collectively, magically hundreds of people started singing with the intermission music, dancing and generally partying. It was an awesome moment.

Overall the day was really fun and relaxing. A terrific anniversary – 6 years and counting. I couldn’t be more lucky.

Day 0 - Outer Banks

2010-09-12T21:07:00.000-07:00

I'm a little late in posting these, but I like to have them out here as I enjoy looking back on them later and the net is a safe place to have them so here is our trip to the outer banks:

Day 0 – 8/27/2010

We left work, gave Iggy to Cheryl for safe keeping, packed the car and hit the road.

We stopped at South of the Border and messed around for a bit. Jack had never seen it and I don’t think he was impressed. However, it was fun to peruse the crazy shops, take pictures with the cheesy statues and get out of the car of a bit.

We then finished the trip to Raleigh and went to bed, sleep was a must.

Mentally Impaired?

2010-07-12T19:54:00.000-07:00

I worry sometimes that I may be mentally unstable. I know many of you are going - about time you woke up and smelled realty, but I'm serious. I have some serious drastic mood swings that can last for seconds or weeks.

Here let me give you an example

Last Week = Lethargic, Didn't want to do anything, World Burn Up = I don't care, Hate my Life, Super Lonely, No Sunshine in my World, Million $$ Wouldn't be Folded Right, and I could go on and on.

Weekend = Reflective, Lonely, Nothing could Cheer Me Up, Missed ATL and my friends, Birthday Sucked, Etc...

Today = Worked Sucked as always, but I got shit done! Came home and studied a weeks worth of photography class, Dug down and played with some camera settings, Organized photo stuff, Got ready for this weeks material, Geeked out by making list for the house, myself, shopping, vacations, etc... Got folders and started planning some trips, Complete and total organizational geekfest.

Who knows what tomorrow will bring... here's hoping it's upbeat happiness with an attitude of I can/I will/I did. I'm sick of the other crap.

Too Much Today

2010-05-24T15:54:00.000-07:00

I sit here surrounded by furniture that is askew and boxes that are taped with a general sense of being overwhelmed and sad. Maybe it's exhaustion, maybe its the fact every time I turn around its someone telling me something else that needs to be done, but I seriously need a week at the beach surrounded by tan relaxed people and fruity drinks with umbrella's in them.

Let me recap the past few days to put some things in to prospective and to also educate you on the ethics of one company - Coast 2 Coast Movers. I pray to God you read this and learn from our misfortune.

Friday morning they arrive at our home in Mableton and begin packing our things, everything is going well and I'm impressed with the speed by which they can pack. A tractor trailer is parked in front of our house to load it up and take it to Augusta. Jack and I had assumed they would use panel trucks, that is what we would have used, so when I mentioned casually that i hope he can back that up in our new driveway I had no idea the drama that would follow.

Around 3pm on Friday after almost 1/2 of our property was in the tractor trailer a guy, a man I assume has some type of ownership in the company, Ben gives us a call to tell us it would be $1500 more dollars for them to actually get the stuff from the end of our driveway to the house. He blamed us for not telling him we had a long driveway... Let me tell you this so you understand 1) I'm sitting in my living room watching cars drive up and down the road so it's not all that long 2) He never before in our 3 weeks of negotiation mention the drive nor did he ask about it. We provided this man an address and just assumed he would get what he needed from that. Nor did we ever expect him to use a vehicle that couldn't get into people's driveways!

So this is 3pm on Friday with half our stuff in the truck and when my husband points out the items above the guy, Ben, says well - we can leave it at the end of the driveway and you can figure out how to get into your house. Not the correct response, especially we since we had already paid extra for the hoisting services required to get several larger pieces of our furniture into the loft area. So my husband negotiates a bit and gets him down to $650 - the entire time being so mad he is about to call the police. He calls his boss who agrees to pay the $650 despite the fact that the quote we had received before was "binding".

We had a cashiers check for the agreed upon $5,850 and Ben told us we could give him a personal check the next day and they would go cash it before the banks closed. Like we are going to take the man's unearned $650.

Time trucks on and they don't end up completing the load on the first day - they do however break a microwave and grind mud all into my downstairs carpet. At which point things turned a bit ugly and they decided to pick it back up in the AM. I'm glad they stopped because everyone was tired and ill, but this left us frantically trying to figure out a place to stay. Luckily Jack's Mom and StepDad only live 45 minutes away and we were able to invade their home at 11 pm at night. Thank God for family.

The second day they show up at 8 AM and begin loading the remainder of the stuff. They say a carpet cleaner is on the way and they will fix the microwave for us... all is good. They are throwing boxes out of the attic, boxes they didn't pack and have no idea what is in them - not so good. They broke several of my ornaments, but only 1 I have found so far that meant anything, however most of those boxes still sit unopened and I'm terrified what I will find. When my husband took the guy the broken ornaments he said "well packed like that they are going to break"... well Duh they were packed to sit in an attic not to have you throw them. They should have repacked them since we paid for "packing services"... but we continue on. Getting more and more upset by the moment.

The truck is loaded and we head to Augusta. It's now past 12 pm and all banks are closed - please remember they were supposed to have us packed on Friday and we were to be in Augusta first thing on Saturday.

We arrive in Augusta and give them the cashiers check for the $5,850 and the personal check for the $650 to which they respond "we will not accept a personal check" go get us the $650 in US Postal Money Order (on a Saturday at 2 pm) or Cash or we drive off with your stuff and charge you storage until you get us the money. Oh my goodness I thought my husband was going to hurt someone - he didn't instead he called the police. The company stopped loading and we waited for the police to arrive.

The police explained to us that despite the loads of emails showing the earlier binding quote and the fact they were holding several hundred thousands of dollars worth of stuff over $650 there was nothing he could do and left! You have to love how the law protects its citizens. I mean in my opinion that was theft by deception or something, but nope...

So while Jack finished chatting with the police I called "Ben" thinking I could talk some sense into the guy. After all I wasn't upset and figured two rational people could talk this through - boy was I mistaken. He accused us of being unethical and said we would "stop payment" on any check the minute he accepted it. Said we were liars and that were intent on sabotaging this move. To which I completely lost my cool man - I went off like I haven't in years and guess where it got me - no where. We did everything by the book with this company, negotiated up front, got it in writing, told them about every scenario we thought would impact their pricing and in the end still agreed to pay them more and we are unethical? Please explain this to me.

Thank God we still had a business checking account open so I could pull out the money from two accounts or we would have been completely screwed- there is a max you can pull out of one account per day using a debit card. So to make a long story shorter, I gave them cash, they unloaded our stuff (the copier hasn't been hoisted yet as agreed they would) and we sit here surrounded by boxes stressed to the max and trying to deal.

I want a fruity drink and will make it my lifes ambition to tell everyone I can possibly tell not to use the company Coast to Coast movers!

Time's Up

2010-05-19T19:28:00.000-07:00

Well tonight was the last night we had to paint before we have to go back to the ATL to get the furniture. We made some awesome headway, but we didn't get as far as I had hoped.

We got all of Mama's section done = 6 rooms, our spare bedroom, bedroom, laundry room and three closets done. We still have living room, dining room, hallway, 2 baths and a tiny area of the kitchen. We were focusing on areas that would be the most difficult once the furniture was in... Grateful we did as much as we did! We have painted everyday and / or night since May 1st (with the exception of two nights we took off) so we are both tired, exhausted fits better I think.

I'm off Friday through Wednesday of next week so hopefully we get some good stuff done during that time in addition to getting some much needed rest. Supervising movers beginning on Friday - wish us luck!

Good Progress

2010-05-16T18:37:00.001-07:00

We have made some good progress this weekend in addition to spending way too much money but ah well.

Yesterday a gentleman named Gene met us at Lowes with his pick up truck and a trailer. We picked up a lawn mower and the a set of the following lighting set. Its way cool, we got a chandelier for the living room, a dining room light, a island light, a floor lamp, etc...

It was so great of him to let us use his truck... he got a fridge out of the deal and we are now fridgeless, which is awesome. I won't disgust you with the ugliness we found under /behind that fridge - ICK!

We did some serious painting too. Got two coats of red in the bedroom (it may need one more) and we got the laundry room completely painted. Though that was a bit of a nightmare to paint. It was a bit like painting with water... We also got the tape off of the spare bedroom and have one of the closets taped. I know it doesn't sound like much, but it was a lot.

We also bought a ceiling fan for my bedroom, new fixtures, mirrors and etc... for our bathroom, a ceiling fan for the back porch, some door screens and an entire new set of knobs and handles for the kitchen. I can't shop anymore for a while but it was fun to get the stuff that is going to make this house mine.

We'll continue working through Wednesday and what gets painted gets painted and what doesn't will just have to wait till after we get moved. We meet the movers in the ATL on Friday! Can't wait to get really settled and be out of this apartment!

For now it's time to get some sleep. I have band aids on my feet and hands from being project accident prone, aches in places I didn't know I had an am generally just tired. I have a ton of work to do before I'm off for 4 days beginning on Friday. Not sure how I'm going to take the time off, but I am...

Not going to worry about it for now- night.

More Painting

2010-05-14T20:04:00.000-07:00

Pam and her husband came and picked up the refrigerator in Mama's area today. The one in our area is going tomorrow and then we will be ready for our fridges from Mableton - Furniture arrives in a week. Can't wait to live among my own stuff again!

We painted the rest of the spare bedroom today - I think we are done with the exception of the closet in that room - and of course clean up. But finally we are done painting in that room - 3 days!

More painting tomorrow... I'm going to have a paint brush grow out of my hand soon.

Night Off - Lazy 1010 - WOOT

2010-05-13T19:59:00.000-07:00

We took the night off and did nothing - WOOT LOVING IT :) Man does it feel good to be lazy!

Painting - Painting and More Painting

2010-05-12T18:46:00.000-07:00

We closed on our house on the 29th of April and are glad that part of the game is over with. Mableton still needs to sale, but at least now we can begin to get settled. We aren't actually moving our stuff in until the 21st and 22nd of May - right now it's paint time. And boy do I mean paint. We are painting every single room of the new house and it is taking what seems like forever.

As I was driving back to the apartment tonight I was thinking of how long it was taking and why - I am loosing track of what we did when so I'm going t0 use this blog as a house renovation journal. Mainly so I can look back years from now and remember the stories, hopefully you will enjoy our journey along the way.

1) Friday May 30th - We taped up Mama's living room and office. Mama took off all the face plate covers for us.

2) Saturday May 1st - Bobby and DeAnn came down to help us. They were a great help and it was fun to see them. We got a first coat on Mama's living room, office and dining room. The most memorable paint moment of the day is when Bobby had a cup of paint and started talking... a few minutes later we realized there were streams of red paint all over the floor where he was moving his hands while chatting. It was so funny and luckily most of it got on the plastic and what didn't was easily wiped up. We wrapped up painting around 4 PM and then went to dinner at Outback followed by the play Annie. Overall it was an extremely productive today, plus it was fun to visit with family that I hadn't seen in way too long.

3) Sunday May 2nd - Jack and I got a second and final coat on Mama's living room / Office. The only thing left to do in this area is the top of her office area - it will have to wait for an extension ladder. The tape was removed in these rooms and they are considered complete.

4) Monday May 3rd - Jack and I put a second coat on the beige part of the living room.

5) Tuesday May 4th - We put a second coat of red on Mama's living room and did some touch ups with a hobby paint brush on the areas that were slightly messed up. It is a paneled room so it was a load of fun to paint... But it's done other than clean up so we are excited. Major pain in the but room.

6) Wednesday, May 5th - Jack cleaned up the living room (pulled tape, cleaned plastic, etc...) and I did a first coat on one of the orange walls in the kitchen. I accidentally painted part of the soon to be beige wall orange... I had to wash it off with a sponge. It didn't all come off put it looks good.

7) Thursday May 6th - Jack painted Mama's bathroom and I painted the second coat of the orange and finished up that color.

8) Friday May 7th - We took the night off and went to see Iron Man 2 - awesome movie and some MUCH needed down time.

9) Saturday May 8th - I went and chopped off all my hair - Cut like 13 inches off of it! I look like a new person completely. After that we met back at Grovetown, grabbed some lunch and started painting again. I painted the first coat of the beige in Mama's kitchen and Jack painted the top part of her bedroom. Here bedroom is two colors divided by a chair rail: a really light blue and a dark blue on the bottom.

10) Sunday May 9th - I did a second coat of the beige in the kitchen, cleaned up the tape from the bathroom and rehung the bathroom fixtures. Jack touched up the light blue areas and did a first coat of the dark blue on the bottom. I also cleaned the floors in the bathroom / kitchen area of Mama's house. Jack didn't put enough plastic down for me to help him... I'm too messy.

11) Monday May 10th - I didn't feel well today. I was tired and didn't feel very well. I took 1/2 day off and got some much needed sleep and then went in to work. It's absolutely crazy busy at the office with me trying to handle a heavy renewal month with out really being comfortable with the accounts yet. Absolutely nutz! After work I took the night off. I tried to talk Jack into resting, but the decided to go on over and finish up Mama's bedroom.

12) Tuesday May 11th - We began the first coat of color in the spare bedroom in our area. We are painting it Turquoise and it is the first room to be painted in our section and I am loving it. Its bold and beautiful. We painted for 3 hours and still didn't get the entire first coat on. Mama helped us tonight by cleaning my kitchen cabinets out - bless her! I can deal with paint but not icky stuff and there is lots of icky stuff.

13) Wednesday May 12th - We worked some more on the spare bedroom - still don't have the entire first coat down, but it is close. I'm still loving the color!

So 13 days to paint 6.75 rooms! Wow, at that pace we are in trouble... Ah well, guess we will be painting with furniture in the house. Nothing to stress over - I'm determined to enjoy this house and it's changing character. So far the colors we choose are bold and awesome. Its a unique house and it will have a unique style - OURS.

Our Life Continues

2010-04-27T20:25:00.000-07:00

Things are trucking along down here in Augusta. Jack is enjoying his new position. I've also accepted a position down here and I like it so far - it's very different from my last employer, in some ways better in others ways worse. You know me I'm a change agent so people either love or hate me - hopefully they will learn to love me. I've met some terrific people, a couple I think I could have some in common with, even a friendship. But no permanent lunch buddy or friend to vent too yet ... I miss that. Not that I ever made friends easily to begin with, I wish I had the personality that draws people in, I don't - instead I'm a social butterfly with no flowers to play with - God will provide though. He knows I need friends down here, so I am trusting him for them.

We did finally find a house here in Augusta - You can see my Facebook page for pictures, or I'll have some up on Mylerna.com after we get settled some more. It's a great house on 5+ acres of land, but it is nothing like I thought we would get. It's like a mountain chalet... It will need some work to make it mine, unlike Mableton where it was instantly me, but its going to be terrific. It meets our needs and has tons of character, I really do love it. We close on Thursday and after a much needed interior paint job we will be moving in, probably two or three weeks.

The Mableton house needs to sale, we have seen some increased activity over the past few weeks which is good + I've turned it over to the Lord. He will bring the right buyer at the right time - I know it. Just praying his timeline is the same as mine :) A friend of ours has agreed to check in on it while we are down here, until it sales. Thank the Lord for Beth, she is a God send no doubt.

And not to jump topics completely, but what is a blog except a random mesh of thoughts ... Jack is in San Antonio until tomorrow at a conference. He seems to be enjoying himself and apparently the city is AWESOME. Maybe that can be a future vaca spot :) I'm looking forward to him being home, I've had trouble hearing him on the cell phone... so it's basically felt like 3 days w/ no contact at all... which just sucks.

Mama is down here with us now, since her cable is getting moved to the new house on Thursday. I'm glad she is here... she makes the fact Jack isn't a little less noticeable. She is my best friend and I wouldn't have it any other way - she puts up with me when I'm bitchy, whiny, plain irritable and distant. I need to do something great for her on Mother's Day... I'm getting her a gift, but I need something different, something terrific, something to really say thanks. Any ideas?

And with that I will bid you good night. I know it was a jumbled jumpy mess but hey that is where I am right now and the fact you are still reading shows you are ok with it, so thanks. Love you bunches - May God shine on your tommorrows, yours truly Mylerna

Howdy Folks

2010-03-06T19:59:00.000-08:00

Well, It's been a while since my last post and alot has changes, while at the same time moving at a snails pace. God's timing is not always our timing - just have to trust that he has the best plan for us. However, I digress ... let me tell you what has been going on in La Casa Dale.

1) The Shortleaf property I spoke of in my last post fell through. There was a contingent contract already on it and they were able to remove the contingency.

2) We've exhausted all the houses in the area currently on the market with Mother-In-Law areas and have found nothing, so we are seriously considering building. Just running numbers at the moment to see if it is feasible and I'm trying not to get my hopes up too much.

3) Jack likes his job alot; though he won't admit it.

4) I have accepted a position with a local agency that appears to be a really good and positive opportunity. My current company offered me 100% telework from Augusta, but it was with the condition that if Telework went away (which is being discussed) I would be out of a job; and this agency is very comparable in pay so I think it's the right move to make. I start on the 22nd :) My last day with Wells is on the 12th and then I have a week off in between to make the transition.

5) Mama is staying in the Mableton house for now; we have a room here in the apartment but it will be a little cramped and this way that house isn't vacant. However, if it rents or sales we will cram in here until we find a space.

So alot has been going on; most of it good. I wish that things moved a little faster and that we had a house already, but my time line is God's and I trust he knows what he is doing.

On another note we tried a new restaurant this evening: Cheddars It was pretty good, but not good enough. The wait was an hour and the prices were very reasonable. However, in my mind it ranked right up there with Applebee's and if I'm going to wait an hour for something it better be Outback quality vs. Applebees... So I probably won't go back, but I am determined to try the different restaurants down here vs. slipping back into the comfyness of my old favorites - time to live a little.

Also, speaking of restaurants Augusta has Steakout every town should have one of these. It is a gift from God! I'm telling you - they deliver steak that is GOOD for the price of Outback and you don't have to leave the house! It's great; if you have one in your town order today, you will never go back !

Further Development

2010-01-30T19:38:00.001-08:00

Well, today was long and productive. We looked at houses from 9:50 this morning until 5:30 this evening, but we found it:

Shortleaf Court, N. Augusta SC

The house is a perfect fit with 3 acreas and Mama's area being better than what she has now + Jack has a shop and we have tons of storage. It is a great fit and we are negotiating the price now, but I'm 99.9% sure we've got it. There is one hang up with the fact the house already has a contract on it, hoewever it's got a big contingency that their house has to sale. They have 48 hours to get rid of that contingency or it's ours :) So I'm pretty sure it's ours... It really is the perfect fit and we are getting it for $257,000! I'm so excited.

No we just have to sale or lease Madison Green. Given the price we are getting we can afford to take a little less for this house (sale wise), don't want to but it at least gives us some negotiating room.

Woot - Going to bed now, it's been a long day. Pray this goes through for us please :)

Big Changes

2010-01-29T16:59:00.000-08:00

Life is always changing, sometimes it is a pond that looks calm on the surface, sometime it's a creek that slowly meanders down hill and sometimes it's a river rushing so fast you can't begin to think you are in control. Right now our life is a river...

How fast and why you may ask?

STEP 1: I've been with my current company for three years and while it has been a tremendous learning opportunity with me being able to work on some accounts I could never have hoped to work on in a smaller agency. However, in the past year and 1/2I've been stagnet without challenge or change.. it's time to move forward; to make a change.

STEP 2: Sept 09 Jack's former company shutdown and we started TDG Solutions, Inc. with Jack doing subcontract work for various companies. His current contract is not the right fit for him... pays well but not the right fit. In the future contracts could come (lots of conversations), but nothing is guaranteed. One of the companies Jack did work for and called asking if he wanted to come work for them... the position is in Augusta and my first response was 'hell no' as was his. However, upon further discussion the position was not an IT Tech position, but rather a management position that was very appealing. It is a great opportunity for him to grow professional, it's challenging, it's for a good company and it pays well.

Combine those two items and you come to a river that we are tumbling down trying to get our footing. You know me, I like things organized and plans to be made. Yet, there is only so much I can do - > a good portion of this is a leap of faith and trusting God to guide the winds so we land where we are meant to be. So what has happened so far?

1) Jack accepted the position
2) I informed my current company of the development and hope they find me something in another division.
3) I have an interview with one company today and cold call a bunch of others just in case they don't.
4) Interview today goes really well, but I realize that I was accurate in my assumption that salaries in Augusta are NOT what they are in the ATL, but the trade off is probably worth it.
5) We found an apartment and placed a 3 mo. lease -> We move in on the 14th of Feb...
6) Tomorrow we hunt for a house in the area (I feel sorry for the real estate lady)
7) Monday we place our home on the market officially for rent / sale. If anyone knows of someone wanting to buy / rent a house let me know :) Specifications below !

There are a lot of balls in the air and I can't begin to catch them all. Life is full of choices / roads. I pray that this is correct road we are taking and that the Lord walk with us as we go and that he carry us when we need it.

We will miss our friends, but know we can stay close electronically in today's digital age. I look forward to meeting new people and exploring new roads here in Augusta - God willing we will be peaceful and happy in this little sleepy town :)

House Details:
4 Possibly 5 Bedrooms / 3.5 Bath / Formal Dining / Eat-In Kitchen / Corine Counter tops / Garbage Disposal / Dishwasher / Stainless Steal Appliances / 2 Full Kitchens / Finished Daylight basement with outside entrance - Used Currently as a Mother-In-Law Suite / Quiet Neighborhood with Sidewalks/Lights / Master Bath with Garden Tub/Free Standing Shower / Fireplace / Cable Ready / Network Cables Ran Trough Majority of House / Walk in Master Closet / Formal Living Room / Duel HVAC with seaparate controls for basement and both stories / Family Room / Study / Large Laundry Room / 2 car garage / Back Deck / Nice Landscaped Yard - Grass Cutting included in rent.

$1995 A Month = Rent
$310,000 Sale Price

2010 - Can't Wait

2009-12-31T20:28:00.000-08:00

2010 I pray you are filled with joy and peace. That life will be fun and work will.... well get better - alot better. I pray my husband continues to prosper in his business and that he finds the perfect contract. I pray that we make new friends and grow in our relationships with the old ones. I pray that that my family and friends find a deeper more meaningful walk with God.

May the petty go away and the meaningful shine!

May God smile on you my friends, in 2010!

Getting Real

2009-10-31T19:58:00.000-07:00

Ok, peps I'm gonna get real with you. You ready....

My husband is the greatest man ever. I know I'm biased, but I was sitting here looking at pictures, thinking about our life. The ups and downs, the good and bad and realized something... This man puts up with a lot and still is here.

Let's get real, I'm not the easiest to live with... heck I'm not the easiest person to even know sometimes. I'm opinionated (about everything), strong willed, independent, and stubborn while simultaneously being whiny, bitchy, needy and helpless. Go figure that one out...

Yet this man of my life patiently deals with my flaws all the while making me feel loved and secure. I love him with everything I have and wish it was more.

There is a thing going around on Facebook at the moment that says leave one adjective describing you... I couldn't do that for Jack, one isn't enough. But here is my attempt to describe this man, my love:

Humble
Strong of Character
Ethical
Loving
Technical
Opinionated
Kind
Brilliant
Mechanical
Detail Oriented
Through
Planner
Procrastinator
Giver
Patient with Me
Geek
Calm in the Storm
Matter of Fact
Loves to Learn
Focused
Love of My Life

And asleep at them moment, which is where I'm about to be. Goodnight Blogland.

Lester & Linda - My Friend - My Mentor

2009-10-25T18:25:00.000-07:00

I believe that in everyone's life you can look back on one person who made a difference. One person helped define who you are. In mine their names were Lester & Linda. They were the Pastor's of the first church I ever stepped foot in; they were the people God put in my life at a time when I so desperately needed a calming force. They were God's plan; they were my light in the dark.

Even today Lester and Linda are one of my rocks. The unmovable force that I know when the crap hits the fan I can call. It’s good to know they are there; to know that no matter what there are two people in this world who love me for me. Who know the dark, who know me as well as I know myself and love me anyway.

These are two of the most faithful people I know... people God has used to touch more lives than I can count and today they need your prayers. Lester is having some intestinal issues and had to leave church today mid-service to go to the ER. This is a man that always plays hurt; so for him to leave a church service midway thru; the pain had to be ... well pray. He is home now and has to go back to the Dr., but I ask that you agree with me in prayer today that he will be healed of this. Isaiah 53:5 says that by his (Jesus) strips we are healed, I believing in Jesus name that Lester is going to be healed of this and ask that you agree with me in prayer.

It’s funny looking back at my history with Lester and Linda. I first met them when I was 11 or 12; they were in their early 20's at their first church as Sr. Pastors. It was a tiny church - that church became my second home. I remember thinking of them as the leaders, the "preacher teacher", the elders... They weren't but 7 or 8 years older than me... I wonder now how they did it. How they seemed so sure of themselves - ministering to others, guiding others. When I was 25 I couldn't guide someone out of the bathroom :) ... But seriously, they were where God needed them to be, and they were and still are fulfilling his purpose. I admire them for that - I love them for that.

Lester & Linda will always be my friends, but more than that they are a piece in the foundation that God has laid for my life. Not to mention some dynamite Spade players….

The last few months, since I've gotten back into church, they have been on my mind. This couple...these friends... these rocks. I miss them… I still use them as my guide, spiritually. I find myself going up there to church occasionally; to do a reality check. With Lester I can’t hide… Like God gave him special Lisa vision or something…

I'm trying to find my way back to where I once was in God - or rather to even a higher place in my walk with him- there are emotional hurdles I'm trying so hard to overcome; old haunts I am trying to forget. Don't get me wrong: My faith is firm: I love the Lord God with my heart, I believe his son Jesus Christ came and died for my sins so that I may spend eternity with him and I thank him for it.

However, I struggle in my daily walk. Those that don't know me won't understand and those that do know me may not understand. It’s hard to explain - just know that its heavy on my spirit; its heavy on my mind and I'm trusting God that he will fold me in his arms and help me to walk the path he has chosen for me. That he will help me to draw close to him and to trust him with everything; that I will once again know that unmistakable Joy that exist when you are walking with God; the light bounce in your step that you have when God is your constant companion.

If you’ve never known that Joy; if you’ve never asked Jesus to be the Lord of your life. I pray today that you will.

Lester Get Better soon. You are forbidden from scaring me like that ever again. :) Seriously I love you guys and am trusting God for your speedy recovery.

Grand Canyon - Day 7

2009-10-09T21:10:00.000-07:00

Day 7 – Zion National Park - Vegas
October 9, 2009

We didn’t do as much today as planned. We are all running a little out of steam and have all seen as many rocks as we want to see for a while. We got up around 9 and ate the continental breakfast – my opinion of the hotel in Kanub still stands; the hotel rocks and so does the continental breakfast!

After eating we drove to Zion National Park...upon getting into the park we discovered that the scenic drive required us to get on the park shuttle. None of us were in the mood to deal with the shuttle, having to move our photography equipment every few minutes, carrying our snacks, etc... so we just saw what we could see in our car and headed home. It was majestic and we stopped to take several pictures along the way. I want to plan another trip to really see it. Today it wouldn’t have really been appreciated though – none of us were in the mood.

We then headed back to Vegas. We arrived and checked into the Comfort Inn... It’s nice but nothing like the one we checked out of last night and the planes flying overhead are loud. LOL, we didn’t want to stay on the Strip as we thought we would be getting into town so late that it wouldn’t matter. Ah well – at least it’s cheap and clean. Clean is all that really matters :) hee...

We walked down on the strip a bit and explored the strip a tiny bit. We only stayed for a bit though – now we back at the hotel and are going to get some sleep, going to take a week to catch up on my sleep. We fly out tomorrow at 1 pm (3 pm EST) ... can’t wait to see my kitties.

Grand Canyon - Day 6

2009-10-08T18:53:00.000-07:00

Day 6 – Bryce Canyon
October 8, 2009

Today we drove a couple hours out of Kanub to Bryce Canyon. It was an enjoyable day – the views were unique and ever changing. The same scene would look completely differnet depending on the angle you looked at it from. We spent the entire day viewing the various vista’s of the park and really enjoyed it... We also saw several wild animals around the park.

The first animals were the deer standing outside the restaurant we ate at for lunch. There was a family of 4 with a new baby deer. He was so cute; he was still furry and his ears were just adorable; those brown eyes were just precious. It was alot of fun and I think i got some great pictures.

The second animal sighting was a Coyote standing in a field. It wasn’t a space we could pull over so I made Jack stop and let me out on the side of the road. It was hillarous, but I got some pictures of him. 400MM was still not enough; I’m sure I’ll have to postcrop to really see him but I can prove I saw a Coyote in the wild. She or He knew I was there; he kept looking back to see what I was going to do. I loved ever minute of it.

We also saw chipmunks. They were so cute with their tails as long as their bodies. Super Super Cute and quick!

The last animal today we saw was the Raven. These are truly beautiful birds who are smart as anything. They are bigger than I expected and their feathers when ruffled almost makes them look furry.

Overall it was nice enjoyable day. I really do hope the pictures turn out... One more day and then we fly home. We are having a great time, but I’m about ready to see my kitties.

Grand Canyon - Day 5

2009-10-07T21:52:00.001-07:00

Day 5 – Grand Canyon – North Rim
October 7, 2009

Well first I want to talk about temperature. We started out in Vegas - > The temperature was in the high 80’s, then we went to the South Rim and it was in the 40’s to the 60’s. You will never guess what is next... we drove to the North Rim today. When we went into the store it was 57, while we were in the diner eating it started SNOWING, we came out and it was in the low 30’s! Craziness!

Well now to tell you about the day. We left Flagstaff this morning at 9:40 and began the 5 hour drive to the North Rim. The drive was gorgeous, rocks of various landscapes jutting up from the land. The colors were vast and varied from dull beiges, grays and reds. 5 hours is normally a hard, long drive but the scenery made it absolutely wonderful. We were driving along and got to cross over the Navajo Bridge. This is a bridge that goes over the CO River and gives us absolutely beautiful views. It was neat to see the rafters floating underneath us. I can’t begin to describe the sheer beauty of this area.

We then stopped at Jacobs Lake – Not an actual lake but a little town. We ate lunch at the diner and while we were eating it began to SNOW outside. Huge white flakes; it was so neat and pretty. There were tourist there who must have never seen snow; they were running outside and getting their picture taken standing in the snow. It was cute.

We then headed into the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. This is the Canyon I expected to see when I visited the South Rim. The colors and views were breathtaking! We spent 4 or 5 hours driving the various vistas and looking at the scenery. It was the most breathtaking views... I hope the pictures turned out.

We then headed out of the Canyon toward Kanab UT. We stopped and cut the lights of the car off and looked at the stars. That far out they were breathtaking – without the city lights – you could see millions of them! It was spectacular, best light show ever.

We drove on out and into Kanab. We are staying at the Holiday Inn Express... You won’t believe it until you see the pictures, but this room is comparable to any 4 star hotel. Flat panel TV, Couch, Marble Sinks, Beautifully Decorated, Two Sitting areas... It’s amazing. Now I’m going to go to sleep in my king-size bed :) Sleep well blogland.

Grand Canyon - Day 4

2009-10-07T21:22:00.001-07:00

Day 4 – Bottom of the Grand Canyon
October 6, 2009

I’m writing about this on the 7th as we drive...last night I was too tired. I think I was in bed by 8:45 :) Earliest I’ve been to bed in a decade, hee.

Yesterday we got an early start. We left the hotel at 7:30 am and made a stop by McDonald’s for a quick breakfast. I have learned a lesson – Waffle House does not have the worst old coffee, McDonald’s does. OMG that stuff could walk by itself – I took one sip; that was enough. The Cinamelt was great though and it was enough to sustain me for a bit...

We then drove to Williams to meet up with our Jeep Tour. We left with them at 9:00 am and drove to Seligman. Seligman is the birthplace of the Historic Route 66. Not where the road begins but where the two businessmen that petitioned Congress to make it a Historic Road were from and where the town of Radiator Springs from Cars was based on. We spent about 20 minutes here taking pictures and etc... It was neat to see; defiantly a tourist trap but neat to see.

We then headed on down to the Grand Canyon Caverns – this is a dry cavern near the Grand Canyon. The person that bought it thought he had found his retirement plan in diamonds - > what he found was Calcium Deposits that sparkled... The Cavern was really just a stopping point so they could get the jeeps ready. It wasn’t anything spectacular and it was obvious they were doing everything they could do to make a buck. But it was something to do and I can say I saw the Grand Canyon caverns.

After we finished the tour we went out and got on the Jeeps. They were bright yellow and sat 6 passengers. We sat with 3 ladies who were older and quite humorous. We then headed on to Waalpi Indian Reservation – The Indians own the only road that goes down into the Canyon and you have to pay for a permit to ride down into the Canyon – which is a reason for using a tour company; they take care of all the politics for you...

The Waalpi Indians are one of the poorest Indian Nations and it was evident from the housing we passed. Maybe it was just the section of town but it looked like government housing and most of the roads were junky... with old cars and equipment sitting in the yards. It certainly didn’t look like the best section.

After we passed through this section we got on a dirt road which would lead us into the Canyon. The ride was bumpy and exhilarating. The guide was a middle age lady who really seemed to know a lot about the area and really enjoyed her job. She stopped often to let us take pictures (she would stop anytime you asked if you wanted a particular shot). She also stopped to tell us about the different plant life and rock types that we passed; it was neat to watch the rock layers change the further we went into the Canyon. The landscape really changed too; you would expect it to be dry and lifeless, it’s the opposite. The area has natural springs that feed into the CO River and the area thrives off the water. Greenery is abundant and apparently so is the wildlife, though we really didn’t get to see too much.

It took about 2 hours and we were at the bottom of the Canyon next to the CO River. We were given our sack lunches and were told to be back at the Jeep in an hour. The three of us headed off to a secluded spot next to the River to have our picnic. It was nice to sit there and eat next to the CO River; deep in the Canyon -> an area not many people ever get to see. I put my hands in the water and washed off my face; it was cool and refreshing.

After eating I walked around a bit and snapped a few pictures. The guide showed us a Pink Rattlesnake that was curled up sleeping; it was really amazing at how well he hid among the rocks. I would have never seen him, which is just another note to how wild and dangerous the place really is.

We then got on the jeeps and headed back up the Canyon, at a much faster pace than when we came down. However we did get to stop and see wild donkeys or boroughs... one was pregnant and they came right up to our jeep to get apples. They were very skittish so you had to be quiet but it was very neat to see and feed them. You wouldn’t know they were wild if you didn’t know it... It was quite neat.

We then continued our trek to the top of the Canyon, got in the vans and headed back to Williams. About an hour and ½ drive total – long enough for a good nap.

We got back to Williams, got in the car and went to Flagstaff for a much needed shower. I had dust in places I didn’t think dust could get :) We then headed out to Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant. This is a restaurant I would highly recommend if you are ever in Flagstaff. The food was excellent, the service good and the prices reasonable. We then went back to the hotel room and simply crashed...

Grand Canyon - Day 3

2009-10-05T21:32:00.000-07:00

Day 3 – South Rim Grand Canyon & Sunset Crater Volcano

October 5, 2009

This morning we woke up around 8:30 and began to get ready. We stepped outside and realized the temperature was not as earlier predicted by the Weather Channel – It was in the 40s, brrrr. So we bundled up with what we had, went to the store and bought coats :) LOL I needed a new coat anyway.

Afterwards we grabbed breakfast at Cracker Barrel and then headed out to continue our adventure. The South Rim of the Grand Canyon was the plan. It took us about an hour and ½ to get there. We surprisingly got in free due to Mama - she got a life time pass for all federal parks. Love it!

The Canyon itself was vast and not exactly as I suspected. I expected deep colors; the vivid reds we see in the pictures. However, what while it was vast and breathtaking it wasn’t colorful. Maybe it was how high the sun was in the sky – it could have been washing them out. Photography is all about the light. It was great though and enjoyable to drive around.

We drove down Hermit Road (special again due to Mama – most have to take a public bus or hike) and stopped several times to see the sights. It was fun to see how far we could walk out; I got a picture jumping near the edge; hopefully it turns out. We had fun ...

We then went back and grabbed lunch at the Village. We then headed down Desert View Drive toward the East entrance of the park. We saw the watchtower - the wall murals inside were amazing! We then headed out... It is funny as we were leaving and were officially out of the park I saw the Canyon I expected... must have been the light or may where we were... being further away so you can appreciate the contrast... but the colors were vivid; the reds, oranges and whites popping out! It really drew me in – unfortunately it was not very safe to stop and take pictures right there...But it was beautiful and we tried to snap a few out of the window. Hopefully some of them turn out.

We then were heading back to our hotel. I had wanted to go see Sunset Crater Volcano before going to the park, but due to our shopping spree we got a late start, so I didn’t think we would get to see it. However as we were driving back to the hotel we saw the sign and seeing as how the light was still with us we took a left to see what we could see. We didn’t make it to the actual monument due to the light fading on us, however we did get to see several of the volcano’s in the area (mountains all around us) and the black lava ... the last eruption was over 700 years ago, but the lava was still there. It was just great... a wonderful surprise to be able to see it.

Then we came back to the hotel and ordered pizza. Good food – and rest. Tomorrow is the jeep tour; we have to get up and be out of here by 7:30...

Grand Canyon Trip - End of Day 1 & Day 2

2009-10-04T22:43:00.000-07:00

Day 1 – Las Vegas, Valley of the Fire State Park & Hoover Dam
October 3, 2009

Well, I am actually typing this on Day 2 – as we got in to late last night for me to finish the journal. However, let me just say Vegas is absolutely awesome! I have to come back for a weekend trip so we can really see it.

First we walked out of our hotel onto Fremont Street. We were waiting for the light show which happens every hour and the crowd was bad. I don’t do well in crowds and began to slightly freak – so I grabbed some alcoholic courage and knocked the edge off. After that I began to calm down and could enjoy the sights/sounds/people watching. OMG at the people – The girl in red leather chaps with nothing but black briefs under it had to be the best! But anyway – then the light show started.

They cut all the lights off on Fremont Street (that’s a lot of lights let me tell ya) and then overhead millions of lights are played to music. It is like watching 50 or 60 widescreen televisions at the same time – totally awesome. You’d have to see it.

Then we went back up int the room to drop off camera bags and make some slight changes in what we were carrying before we headed to the Strip. We didn’t get to really see it... We drove into it barely before parking at Caesar’s Palace. Caesar’s Palace is amazing! The architecture and the art work are just something to see. I can’t tell you ... We didn’t walk through all of Caesar’s Palace as it was almost 11 and we didn’t get to see the lobbies of the other buildings – but I saw enough to know I’m coming back to explore! I don’t care about the gambling – heck if I spend a $1 before I leave on gambling I’ll be surprised. However I want to see the lobbies and maybe catch a show. It is just ... well something I have to see more of!

Day 2 – Driving & Sedona
October 4, 2009

Much of today was spent driving from Las Vegas to Flagstaff AZ where we will be bunking for the next few evenings. 5 Hour drive roughly – However we did get here in time to do a few things.

We arrived in the area around 3:30 and headed down toward Sedona planning to get to Cathedral Rock before sunset. We stopped several times to take pictures of the view – the rocks out here will amaze you. They will go from this deep sunset red to a white instantly. The sheer beauty and well strangeness of it astounds me.

As I said we stopped several times - One time was to look over Oak Creek Canyon, beautiful – however the wind will blow you away. It’s in the 50’s but the wind makes it feel like 40... It’s strong and brutal. Mama didn’t make it all the way out to the overlook of the Canyon; she went back to the warmth of the car :) However it was worth seeing and taking a picture of. Though she did get to see a bit of it when we started driving again – I wouldn’t have been able to get pics though so I’m glad we stopped.

We then headed on down to Sedona – the town looks like a tourist trap and we didn’t get to stop due to the sundown timeline... Mama had decided by this point to not do the “steep trail” as the internet tells us to go to Cathedral Rock – She said she would just wait. Boy am I glad she did – this wasn’t a trail! This was mountain climbing... easy mountain climbing but mountain climbing none the less. The elevation is higher which didn’t help any... We got about ½ up and I honestly didn’t think I could finish. I stopped after and set down... my lungs were screaming at me for air and tears were streaming down my face. Why was I crying? No clue – My body’s way of dealing with the torture I was putting it under I guess. But then Jack offered to take my camera up for me and bring me back some pictures... So I was up and going again. No way was I suffering through that for nothing...

We continued up the mountain. I’m serious there were several areas where you are putting a foot in a foot hold, grabbing something and pulling yourself up – there is no way to just walk...

We finally made it...To the top between two towering mountains and the view as out of this world amazing... The red rocks against the sky – made me think of cities. This was a place to commune with God. I know why they claim Sedona is spiritual... now I don’t buy into the metaphysical hype that surrounds the town, however this few- this spot – this quiet moment was humbling. To stand before what God has made and look over it......

We stayed until the sunset; snapping pictures – resting – chatting with a lady who lives in the area and was waiting on her daughter. The daughter was also off taking pictures; she was a bit more serious about it than we were... I was just glad I survived the trek up and praying we would survive the road down...

After the sunset we decided to quickly get off the mountain before we lost the light...We got down the worst part before the light was gone, but then the light was gone! The path markers are rock... well rock on top of rock isn’t easy to see at night. We didn’t have flash lights – stupid I know – so I started using the flash on my camera to see the way... We were lost ...meandering around hoping to spot the next trail marker. After about 30 minutes of searching, calling Mama to cut on the car lights and honk the horn... we finally made it back to the trail. Oddly enough during this entire time I wasn’t scared – maybe it was knowing we had the cell or knowing we were down the majority of it, or just knowing I survived the trip up but I was fairly calm... God is working in me that is for sure – 3 years ago I would have freaked and been ill as a hornet by time I got down off that mountain.

It was fun... it was tiring... it was worth it...I was craving steak! We left there and went to Flagstaff; checked into our hotel and went for an Outback steak! All in all things went great. We are having a good time! See you tomorrow with an update from the South Rim of the Canyon.

Grand Canyon Trip - Day 1

2009-10-04T22:02:00.000-07:00

Day 1 – Las Vegas, Valley of the Fire State Park & Hoover Dam
October 3, 2009

Well, we landed at Los Vegas this morning at around 12:40 am Pacific Time - 3:40 EST. We are all tired and grouchy. The airport was unorganized... our baggage took forever to get to the baggage claim and we had to take a bus to get to the rental car. But we got through it all and headed to the hotel.

The lights of Vegas greeted us brightly – truly this is the city that never sleeps. By time we got to the hotel it was approaching 4:30 AM EST and I was running on fumes. We valet parked, got help with our bags from the bellboy and headed up to our adjoining room with my mother. We are staying at the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino and I must say it is Gold... ther e is gold everywhere. The rooms are nice though – spacious and scream pampering, hee.

We didn’t look much though – just went upstairs and crashed.

The call came at 8:30 am PST (11:30 EST)- > the bank calling me back to real life. I handled that briefly and was elated to know we have an entire day ahead of us. I was still slightly tired – but excited at the same time.

We got dressed and went down into the lobby. We decided to eat at the restaurant in the lobby vs finding something once we got the car. It wasn’t the greatest food, but it was fairly affordable and we got to people watch which is always fun. Man you should see the people out here – all kinds – in all states of dress. I mean you’ve seen it before, but well there are some characters – that is for sure.

After breakfast we picked up the car and headed out – Valley of the Fire State Park here we come. The drive from here to there wa s eye opening. Vast expanses of dirt and weeds, right up next to rock/dirt mountains with no life on them. In GA there are trees and life on every mountain, not here – just risen desert really,lol.

We drove on for a ways and then stopped at the convenience store right before heading into the park. It was a biker hangout and was ...interesting. But we were able to use the facilities and get som e water which was the main objective. We then headed on into the park. The mountian ranges and odd rock formations really are quite impressive. Like red cities rising out of the ground... caves and creavaces here and there... We explored and took pictures for two or three hours and then headed back to grab some lunch before finishing our afternoon at Hoover Dam.

The drive to Hoover Dam was exciting in that we saw a Ram on the side of the road. Sadly I had my wide angle lens on so while I took a picture it wasn’t as close as I woul d have liked - > really need two cameras so I can have both lens ready ...Yea I need a raise first :)

Hoover Dam was impressive – WOW it is huge. Unfortunatley the bridge they are building behind it took away from some of the photo ops. Between the bridge construction (the bridge will look good when finished) and all the power lines (yes I know it’s a power plant)... well it just took my good photo ops away. Hee. It was impressive to see though and I think Jack enjoyed it.

We then headed back to Vegas with a Target stop on the way – Have to get some necessaities, bottle water, SUN SCREEN, MORE SUN SCREEN and chapstick. Man the wind is brutal out here on the lips... I know sit here taking a breather; putting our feet up before we hit Vegas. I’m looking forward to the pretty lights and the lobbies... Hopefully I can handle the crowds. We shall see – More to follow soon :)

Here We Are

2009-09-27T19:46:00.000-07:00

Life... God... Faith... Love ... Marriage....Business... All are intertwined and connected.

I came home from an outside wedding last night; those of you in GA will know it poured down. After the floods occurring this past week all we needed was more rain. However, despite the rain the wedding was gorgeous. It was under a tent with mud all round. It was a cowboy wedding and they do what they do; threw some hay down, put on boots and kept on trucking. Man this says something in itself doesn't it? (That's a blog for another day)

But anyway I digress... we came home and I wanted to dance; we didn't really dance at the wedding (read mud above), but I wanted to. So my husband being the man that he is danced with me. We danced and as we were doing a funky version of the Waltz (you do what you can in the space you are given) I thought about life. I thought back on our wedding day and the promise we made to go forth as one person. I thought to myself yep, its him and me against the world.

But, I was wrong and was quickly reminded spiritually of how wrong I was. Its not me and Jack against anything... Its God, Jack and Myself enjoying life together; learning together; growing together. Will there come tough times? Will there be moments where we feel like we are beating our head against a wall? Will we do better at the "learning" some days than others?

Sure - that's life and human nature. Heck we've already learned some valuable lessons in starting this company. There is a learning curve with any new venture. But at the end of the day we are here, we are strong and God is with us. Nothing else matters.

On another similar but separate topic: I've been trying over the past few weeks to make a life style change. I've been trying to approach life from the standpoint of looking at our blessings vs. the negative around us. To thank God for what we have. You know what I've found???? You ready... It's an earth shattering discovery!!! I'm serious hang on to your hats people....

Happy, Grateful Thoughts and Outlook = Better, More Joyful days = Makes it easier to be happy and grateful. It's a circular logic that works!

God's blessings are many, but by only focusing on the negative I am forgetting him and his gifts. How am I going to get closer to God if I can't appreciate what he has given me?

Now do I succeed every day? No! Do I try everyday? Yes. (Sometimes its a Fake it till I make it day). I'm not perfect and life style changes are hard. If they weren't everyone would do it. But I'm trying to be more positive, to not complain as much, but instead find the good in the things around me!

Anyone want to try it with me? Trust me when I say, when you take time to Thank God for the blessings and to try to walk with a mindset of "I'm grateful for this day" everything else just doesn't seem that bad. Your day will be better....

Sleep well Blogland. May your tomorrow be bright with the many blessings God has for you.

Life Is Love and Love is Life

2009-09-27T10:33:00.000-07:00

Loving our many blessings this day and trusting God with our tomorrows.

Today - A Flurry of Activity

2009-09-14T17:18:00.000-07:00

I'm sitting here, breathing! Just breathing - Taking a much needed minute to decompress. What better way than to chat with my online world ?

I've been home from work for a while, but the evening has flown by. Jack's job of 8 years ends tomorrow. We've known it's been coming for a while and have been trying to prepare, but honestly how does one prepare ? In this economy being out of a job is a scary thought. However, we are blessed and God has us in his hands.

Jack has accepted a short term contract which begins Wednesday morning. It requires him to be out of town for the next 2 weeks (home on weekends) and then he will work from home for the remainder of it. Afterwards he has a long term deal that he is discussing... It will be consulting with 75% travel. I don't want him to travel, but honestly it is a good opportunity so please pray that if it is in God's will it will come to fruition. The money is good and the opportunity sounds even better...

In the meantime we are hastily trying to get things ready here. Cloths for an extended trip, setting up a corporation, insurance, accounting, etc... None of it is a big deal, but you add it all up and it's a lot. Plus we still don't have a company name - A LITTLE HELP WITH THIS IS APPRECIATED.

Speaking of which I still have a ton to do so I guess I'll get off and go do them. Keep us in your prayers. Good Night Blogland!

Needless Worry

2009-09-09T19:54:00.000-07:00

Did you know that worry in itself is pointless? Worrying won't change anything! All it will do will add unhealthy stress and fatigue into your life. Why won't it change anything, because worrying isn't an action... it is a state of mind.

You know what else? God the Father knows our needs... He knows my needs... He knows the needs of the man down the street, and the little girl next door. And guess what - God will supply. He may not supply in the way you thought he should, but he will supply in the way that is best for you according to his will.

Matthew 6:32-34 says "and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Thus, today in our time of worry and stress. Let's lay it at his alter and seek him earnestly instead for He is worthy.

Now you may ask - Why is Mylerna sharing this today? Well, honestly I don't know. I felt I should. The past few days I've been in a "funk".. A personal oasis of depression and self loathing. Why??? Because I was - no other reason, no trigger... Just the way it was. You know what though - I have God who knows my needs. I have a God that gave me friends and relationships... people that reached out and said hey, its ok... You are loved. God knows your needs - he knows my needs and I thank him for it.

May God Bless You in the days to come. Lay your worries down at his alter; he has you in his hand, he knows you and he loves you.

Time for Random

2009-09-04T19:02:00.001-07:00

I feel very random today- various things going on in my mind, it's hard to pin it down to just one item... so I'm going to just let it flow out, you ok with that? I hope so... cause here goes:

1) Homecoming at Mableton Assembly of God is this Sunday beginning at 11 am. Everyone is invited so if you are within driving distance please check it out. Should be fun...

2) We decorated the church tonight for homecoming - well really they decorated - I followed instructions and took pictures, hee. Gina and Beth are a hoot :) I learned a few things from tonight:

Beth & Gina are fun gals
I like green butterflies
116 pictures of decorating a fellowship hall is a little insane
Me and this camera have to have a conversation...

I need to get used to all the new settings/features
I need to learn how to shoot manual more
I need to realize I'm not miss artsy and just take the picture
I need to figure out how to tell it where to focus while in CA mode - I like CA mode
I want another lens that allows me to blur the background more (wide angel)
But you know what? I'm had a good time shooting 116 bad pictures :)

3) I got the afternoon off - and wasted it taking a nap. It was a nice nap.
4) I'm cheating tomorrow at the grill out - Jim'N Nicks is cooking :) weeee Yea I know I'm totally lazy
5) Must clean ...
6) I have really no good feel for how many people will be here tomorrow - talk about a first. Me flying by the seat of my pants on an event at my house? I know you are all shocked - I am

On a more serious note... that deserves more than a bullet point Jack and I have started a study of God's word - together. I can't tell you how much the aspect of studying God's word with my hubby elates me :) But anyway... We are starting with Genesis and reading the old testament first. I ordered "The Wycliffe Bible Commentary" to help us with our study. I'm loving it... it really helps... I'm enjoying digging in and really learning God's word vs. just reading it... I've read a good portion in the past (pieces here and there) but to dig in... Yea I'm looking forward to this journey :) If you ever decide to do a study yourself I highly recommend he Wycliffe Bible Commentary to help you in your study - Granted I'm only in Genesis with the commentary but I love it...

Quote of the day: "The word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife" Hebrews 4:12

People Read this Thing?

2009-09-02T18:53:00.001-07:00

As many of you know I've started attending a new church and I took some pictures of the Sunday night fellowship. I wanted to share them, so I threw the link out on facebook as I normally do. What I realized later is that gave the people at the church my website address (which not only houses the pictures I wanted to share but this blog), heck I think even gave it out a couple times Sunday night when talking about photography. I love photography, have I mentioned that?

Anyway, this blog is an opening - its my way of sharing my life, my thoughts, my dreams, my daily life with the world... interested or not. I've never really had people in my day to day life read it though. I had several people come up to me today at church and make comments about the blog and my photography. It was .. humbling and scary. Made me think - what did I say again? Oh goodness... But you know what? I'm glad someone in my life is reading ... I'm glad someone is taking a look at the pictures. Maybe, hopefully something I say or do will help them learn from my mistakes, will help them in their daily walk. Maybe my photography will bring them a moment of joy... maybe.

So keep reading folks and I'll keep sharing :)

One other note: the minister tonight mentioned a church needing to meet the needs of it's people. He stated that in today's time people are looking for friendships. He's right - we are so busy with work and life that not many people have true friends anymore. We have people we know and people we talk to, but not many true friends. I know personally Jack and I have very few, we count ourselves lucky to have them, but one of the things I was looking for when finding a church, whether I knew it or not, was a church family. A network of friendships; some connection that went beyond Sunday... Amazing how God knows what we need before we do :)

Here is to nurturing old friendships and making new ones. May God bless each of you in your relationships, whether new or old...

So with that I'll call it a night. May God bless you in the days to come.

Quote of the Day: Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one’s friend springs from his earnest counsel. (Proverbs 27.9, NIV)

Good Day

2009-08-30T18:31:00.000-07:00

Today was a good day. We went to church with Billy & his family this morning followed by lunch. Overall an enjoyable morning spent with good people. Then this evening we ventured back out to attend our church, Mableton Assembly of God. This was our first time attending when they had a men's/women's night and I must say it was neat. We had a time of joint worship which was powerful. I'm not perfect by any means, and won't claim to know God's spirit or how/why he moves when he does. However, tonight I felt his presence in a way I haven't in quite some time. The old questions come up - Was it my emotions or God? I choose to believe it was God's spirit. I prayed with my husband; something I have never done. It was a powerful moment one I'm not likely to forget. It's funny - even as I type this I find myself wanting to press delete... to not share this moment, my mind is saying nah, it was just you... that wasn't God. I refuse to believe that ... "I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises." "I will Put my trust in him" Romans 2:12&13

After the service we split up (Men in one room / Women in another) and had a separate time of sharing. The pastor's wife, Gina lead ours and she is quite humorous. I am enjoying the people of this church. Their distinct personalities come together to make a home/ a family... one I hope to truly become a part of. After the time of sharing we had some snacks - mainly desert which is the best part of meal time, right :) hee ... I felt comfortable enough to bring out my camera and take a few pictures. I'm surprised I felt comfortable enough this early in going to the church to take pictures but I really did. It also opened some doors to have conversation and begin getting to know some of the church family. One guy used to repair cameras - I don't really know his name, but he is a funny guy. I think Jim... maybe anyway I enjoyed talking to him. And the Associate Pastor Mike is always a hoot. Anyway, it was fun... we meet some people and I even invited some out to the grill out we are planning for Saturday. I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone more...

Here is to cherishing old friends, making new ones and growing together with God.

Hopeful

2009-08-23T18:13:00.000-07:00

As some of you may know I've started attending a local church (Mableton Assembly of God). We have been going for a few weeks now and while I still struggle with some old haunts I find myself happy and glad to be back in a church family. I find myself trying to find new ways to incorporate God into my life, new ways to regain my walk with him. And yes I find myself trying to dictate the path by which this walk is done - Something I continue to struggle with. However, the point is - I'm trying again. I feel I am in the right place and that this is the right time.

I find myself wanting to study and learn, clearing my schedule to be at Church when I can and generally hopeful about what tomorrow will bring. I can't share what a joyous relief that is; words simply aren't good enough.

Another great thing is that for the first time in 8 years my husband and I are openly talking about religion /faith and etc... He has agreed to go with me to Church- I'm just so excited to know that my husband is willing to walk with me as we both walk closer with God. Just exciting; I can't wait to see what the future holds :)

Next Sunday night is a men's/women's ministry night. Maybe I'll get to know some people... I always struggle meeting new people. They are friendly and I try to smile and be friendly back, but I don't know I kinda retreat into my shell and peak out from the safety :) hee... Hopefully I'll get over that and maybe make some great friends in the process.

Health Care Reform

2009-08-13T14:29:00.000-07:00

I received this email today regarding health care reform and wanted to pass it along. It is rather lengthy, but worth reading!

===============================================================

Dear Friend,

This is probably one of the longest emails I’ve ever sent, but it could be the most important.

Across the country we are seeing vigorous debate about health insurance reform. Unfortunately, some of the old tactics we know so well are back — even the viral emails that fly unchecked and under the radar, spreading all sorts of lies and distortions.

As President Obama said at the town hall in New Hampshire, “where we do disagree, let's disagree over things that are real, not these wild misrepresentations that bear no resemblance to anything that's actually been proposed.”

So let’s start a chain email of our own. At the end of my email, you’ll find a lot of information about health insurance reform, distilled into 8 ways reform provides security and stability to those with or without coverage, 8 common myths about reform and 8 reasons we need health insurance reform now.

Right now, someone you know probably has a question about reform that could be answered by what’s below. So what are you waiting for? Forward this email.

Thanks,

David

David Axelrod

Senior Adviser to the President

P.S. We launched www.WhiteHouse.gov/realitycheck this week to knock down the rumors and lies that are floating around the internet. You can find the information below, and much more, there. For example, we've just added a video of Nancy-Ann DeParle from our Health Reform Office tackling a viral email head on. Check it out:

8 ways reform provides security and stability to those with or without coverage

1. Ends Discrimination for Pre-Existing Conditions: Insurance companies will be prohibited from refusing you coverage because of your medical history.

2. Ends Exorbitant Out-of-Pocket Expenses, Deductibles or Co-Pays: Insurance companies will have to abide by yearly caps on how much they can charge for out-of-pocket expenses.

3. Ends Cost-Sharing for Preventive Care: Insurance companies must fully cover, without charge, regular checkups and tests that help you prevent illness, such as mammograms or eye and foot exams for diabetics.

4. Ends Dropping of Coverage for Seriously Ill: Insurance companies will be prohibited from dropping or watering down insurance coverage for those who become seriously ill.

5. Ends Gender Discrimination: Insurance companies will be prohibited from charging you more because of your gender.

6. Ends Annual or Lifetime Caps on Coverage: Insurance companies will be prevented from placing annual or lifetime caps on the coverage you receive.

7. Extends Coverage for Young Adults: Children would continue to be eligible for family coverage through the age of 26.

8. Guarantees Insurance Renewal: Insurance companies will be required to renew any policy as long as the policyholder pays their premium in full. Insurance companies won't be allowed to refuse renewal because someone became sick.

Learn more and get details: http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/health-insurance-consumer-protections/

8 common myths about health insurance reform

1. Reform will stop "rationing" - not increase it: It’s a myth that reform will mean a "government takeover" of health care or lead to "rationing." To the contrary, reform will forbid many forms of rationing that are currently being used by insurance companies.

2. We can’t afford reform: It's the status quo we can't afford. It’s a myth that reform will bust the budget. To the contrary, the President has identified ways to pay for the vast majority of the up-front costs by cutting waste, fraud, and abuse within existing government health programs; ending big subsidies to insurance companies; and increasing efficiency with such steps as coordinating care and streamlining paperwork. In the long term, reform can help bring down costs that will otherwise lead to a fiscal crisis.

3. Reform would encourage "euthanasia": It does not. It’s a malicious myth that reform would encourage or even require euthanasia for seniors. For seniors who want to consult with their family and physicians about end-of life decisions, reform will help to cover these voluntary, private consultations for those who want help with these personal and difficult family decisions.

4. Vets' health care is safe and sound: It’s a myth that health insurance reform will affect veterans' access to the care they get now. To the contrary, the President's budget significantly expands coverage under the VA, extending care to 500,000 more veterans who were previously excluded. The VA Healthcare system will continue to be available for all eligible veterans.

5. Reform will benefit small business - not burden it: It’s a myth that health insurance reform will hurt small businesses. To the contrary, reform will ease the burdens on small businesses, provide tax credits to help them pay for employee coverage and help level the playing field with big firms who pay much less to cover their employees on average.

6. Your Medicare is safe, and stronger with reform: It’s myth that Health Insurance Reform would be financed by cutting Medicare benefits. To the contrary, reform will improve the long-term financial health of Medicare, ensure better coordination, eliminate waste and unnecessary subsidies to insurance companies, and help to close the Medicare "doughnut" hole to make prescription drugs more affordable for seniors.

7. You can keep your own insurance: It’s myth that reform will force you out of your current insurance plan or force you to change doctors. To the contrary, reform will expand your choices, not eliminate them.

8. No, government will not do anything with your bank account: It is an absurd myth that government will be in charge of your bank accounts. Health insurance reform will simplify administration, making it easier and more convenient for you to pay bills in a method that you choose. Just like paying a phone bill or a utility bill, you can pay by traditional check, or by a direct electronic payment. And forms will be standardized so they will be easier to understand. The choice is up to you – and the same rules of privacy will apply as they do for all other electronic payments that people make.

Learn more and get details:

http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/realitycheck

http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/realitycheck/faq

8 Reasons We Need Health Insurance Reform Now

1. Coverage Denied to Millions: A recent national survey estimated that 12.6 million non-elderly adults – 36 percent of those who tried to purchase health insurance directly from an insurance company in the individual insurance market – were in fact discriminated against because of a pre-existing condition in the previous three years or dropped from coverage when they became seriously ill. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/denied_coverage/index.html

2. Less Care for More Costs: With each passing year, Americans are paying more for health care coverage. Employer-sponsored health insurance premiums have nearly doubled since 2000, a rate three times faster than wages. In 2008, the average premium for a family plan purchased through an employer was $12,680, nearly the annual earnings of a full-time minimum wage job. Americans pay more than ever for health insurance, but get less coverage. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/hiddencosts/index.html

3. Roadblocks to Care for Women: Women’s reproductive health requires more regular contact with health care providers, including yearly pap smears, mammograms, and obstetric care. Women are also more likely to report fair or poor health than men (9.5% versus 9.0%). While rates of chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure are similar to men, women are twice as likely to suffer from headaches and are more likely to experience joint, back or neck pain. These chronic conditions often require regular and frequent treatment and follow-up care. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/women/index.html

4. Hard Times in the Heartland: Throughout rural America, there are nearly 50 million people who face challenges in accessing health care. The past several decades have consistently shown higher rates of poverty, mortality, uninsurance, and limited access to a primary health care provider in rural areas. With the recent economic downturn, there is potential for an increase in many of the health disparities and access concerns that are already elevated in rural communities. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/hardtimes

5. Small Businesses Struggle to Provide Health Coverage: Nearly one-third of the uninsured – 13 million people – are employees of firms with less than 100 workers. From 2000 to 2007, the proportion of non-elderly Americans covered by employer-based health insurance fell from 66% to 61%. Much of this decline stems from small business. The percentage of small businesses offering coverage dropped from 68% to 59%, while large firms held stable at 99%. About a third of such workers in firms with fewer than 50 employees obtain insurance through a spouse. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/helpbottomline

6. The Tragedies are Personal: Half of all personal bankruptcies are at least partly the result of medical expenses. The typical elderly couple may have to save nearly $300,000 to pay for health costs not covered by Medicare alone. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/inaction

7. Diminishing Access to Care: From 2000 to 2007, the proportion of non-elderly Americans covered by employer-based health insurance fell from 66% to 61%. An estimated 87 million people - one in every three Americans under the age of 65 - were uninsured at some point in 2007 and 2008. More than 80% of the uninsured are in working families. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/inaction/diminishing/index.html

8. The Trends are Troubling: Without reform, health care costs will continue to skyrocket unabated, putting unbearable strain on families, businesses, and state and federal government budgets. Perhaps the most visible sign of the need for health care reform is the 46 million Americans currently without health insurance - projections suggest that this number will rise to about 72 million in 2040 in the absence of reform. Learn more: http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/assets/documents/CEA_Health_Care_Report.pdf

Day at the Zoo - New Lens

2009-08-09T13:01:00.000-07:00

We went to the zoo yesterday so that I could try out my new lens. I love it, but I'm going to have to get used to it and read some more about it. Overall the pictures turned out well given the lighting... It was sweltering hot and the sun was high in the sky - not great scenario for pictures. Thus you can see many of them look washed out or saturated; it was just too bright outside. I want to go back on a cloudy day or maybe get over there at 9:30 when they open... I want to try again :) heee

Check them out at if you are interested:

My Absolute Favorites

I love these too, just not as much

Sip n Strokes = Fun

2009-08-05T17:53:00.000-07:00

There is a company by the name of Sips n Strokes that equals a good night out with your friends! The idea is that you bring your favorite drink, some good friends and paint your stress away. You sip (alcohol or non) and follow instructions to paint a great painting... You leave with a painting that you painted, one that is really just awesome. I've been twice and I love both my paintings (both are hanging in my house), not to mention the great time I had. If you have one in your area I highly recommend a night out :)

I'm So Excited - I just can't Hide It

2009-08-02T08:19:00.000-07:00

Ok enough cheese for one day. But seriously I can't wait for Monday, cause guess what gets delivered here on Monday... Wait for it....

Yep, it's the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Canon Zoom Lens! Woot! I've waited along time for this baby. Hope it's as good as I've drooled over it being.

Picaboo Service

2009-07-18T10:01:00.000-07:00

In June I ordered two photo books from Picaboo. If you remember I slammed them pretty hard on this blog. After pressing send on that blog I began working on another book through Creative Memories which I will tell you about on another day. Today I want to tell you what happened after I pressed publish on my review of Picaboo books.

My expectation was that I would rant to the WWW about my experience; receive one or two comments and move on with my life. Instead I received an email from the Vice President of Picaboo asking for permission to call me and discuss the situation. She wanted to learn what her company had done in greater detail and try to make it right. Ok, I was shocked! For several reasons:

#1They found me - I operate under an assumed name here (Mylerna). Those of you who know me know who I am, but if you don't know me then I am just Mylerna the crazy woman who post crap out here occasionally for the world to see. FYI: Later I found out they tracked my email address through their systems (pretty smart).

#2) The company actually read my blog and

#3) The company cared enough about my level of satisfaction that they made an extraordinary attempt to contact me and make it right.

So in my shock I responded to the VP and we had a nice long telephone conversation where I gave her the good, the bad, and the ugly of my experience. By this time I had already shipped the books back and my full refund (including shipping) was on it's way. So in my mind I was done. I have my money back, they got their books back all is well!

But no, the VP wasn't satisfied that I had gotten a refund. She wanted to make sure I was satisfied with their product. So she in turn offered to send me 2 more books, free of charge. She emailed me again after receiving my books back in the mail horrified at how they were. She promised this was not the product they strive to deliver every day. I'm not going to say no to free books... who would? So I told her to send them on.

My books came and you know what? They are better! If I had gotten these books the first time, I would have never said anything. I would have happily continued making Picaboo books my source for photo books. I received two books from them again this time and one of them is impeccable! The binding doesn't crackle when you open it, the pages aren't see through it just is a terrific quality book. The second one is very close my only issue is that the binding crackles a bit (noise) when you open it and that concerns me. However, my husband said it's normal for the type of binding and that it will last for years to come. I trust him - He is waaaay smarter than me. So with that my faith in Picaboo is a bit restored.

I'm not sure how much I'll use them in the future, if I will at all. However, I felt I should let the world know about my revised experience. It's not every day that a company goes to this much effort to make something right for their customers. Maybe they are worth another shot :)

Weekend In Recap

2009-07-13T18:52:00.000-07:00

I try to be diligent about documenting our weekend trips here. I do it for more my sake than those on the endless web that may stumble across this page as I like to remember them years from now and this is my way of accomplishing that task. I find myself looking back on stuff I did two / three years ago and am so grateful I took the time to blog about it.

So with that being said to follow is a recap of our trip the weekend.

Friday

Friday was my birthday! I turned 28 years old. To many of you reading this that is still young, but to me it feels old. I remember when I turned 18 and 21. I wouldn't go back to then because I'm such a different person now (hopefully a better one), but I would take the body back :) hee.

To celebrate I took the day off and stayed home. I had planned on vegging all day and watching TV, however around 11 I got the urge to clean. Don't ask me why or how, but I did. My house is now spotless :) I still have some boxes in the red room and in our bedroom I need to deal with but the house itself is good! Jack even came home mid day and joined in on the cleaning action :) I love my husband!

After my cleaning episode, I need meds, I know, Jack and I got dressed and headed out to meet some friends for dinner / dancing. We ate at the Olive Garden and the food was yummy. Steve and Leo also brought me a B-Day cake that was a Strawberry shortcake (or similar) and a singing candle. The candle wouldn't cut off and later wound up in a million pieces (still singing)... it was persistent what can we say :)

After Dinner we went to Cowboy's for drinks and dancing. We were there till around 2:30 and despite the slight hangover the next morning I have to say that I had the best time! It was really a blast. Thanks to everyone who came, I really did appreciate it!

Saturday

Saturday I intended to get up and out of the house by 10. Instead we got out by 11:30. Which meant by time we ate lunch it was close to 1 before we could begin our day. I had planned to take the scenic route to Toccoa to visit our friends Lester & Linda, however after getting to Jasper / Tate, GA we realized that with the time given it wasn't going to happen. So we saw Tate, GA and took a few pictures then headed directly to Toccoa. We will have to do our scenic trip another day...

Once we got to Lester & Linda's we had dinner at their house. Linda is always the best cook :) It was good to see them again and to see their new little girl, Leslie. She is such a doll. They have three children all starting with L. I swear I'm going to get Lester a T-Shirt that says the House of L one day.

I also have to say it was also awkward to see them again. I've known them for close to 20 years and love them dearly, but when you don't see people for a large gaps of time your lives begin to drift in different directions. I was such a different person when they were in my life on an active basis. Not to mention the fact that we all have our own separate lives now and they don't really connect in anyway. I hope we can maintain our friendship and grow closer again, time will tell.

Regardless of any of that it was really great to see them again. Their girls (all three) are such a joy to watch. I remember when the first two were born and now they are teenagers - Yep I'm old, sigh.

Sunday

Sunday we woke up from the hotel and went on a McDonald's run before going to hear Lester preach. It was interesting being in church again; it brought back a ton of memories. Some good, some not so good. I think Lester pulled out the "Sermon's For Lisa Folder" that I'm sure he has stashed somewhere (Joke - At least I hope he doesn't have a folder hee). The sermon seemed tailored, for the most part, to fit me. I'm just not sure I want to go back there again. I love the Lord and I believe without a doubt he sent his Son to die on a cross for me. I believe... What I'm not sure I'm ready for is the church. I've discussed this before on this blog (here and on other dates I'm sure) and will probably discuss it again as it is something I struggle with. I know I'm not where I should be, but I'm not sure how to get where I need to be w/o conquering some old haunts I'm not sure I can conquer. Ah well time will see.

After the service we headed out to lunch with Lester and his family again. This lunch was a little bit more comfortable and reminded me of the times of old with Lester and his family. It still wasn't the relationship it used to be, I doubt it ever will be the same again. However, it is obvious we all still care deeply for one another and it was really terrific to see them again. Hopefully, we can start to see each other more often and the awkwardness will begin to fade.

We then headed home to get ready for the next work day! Overall it was a really nice weekend.

Waterfall Adventure - Last Day

2009-07-04T19:16:00.000-07:00

We are home safe and sound. It really was a good trip and today was no different.

We slept a little late (9am), got dressed and checked out of the hotel. First stop was Waffle House for breakfast and some good coffee. After which we headed out to Chimney Rock State Park. We arrived at Chimney Rock and took the shuttle from the parking area to the welcome center. There is an elevator that goes up, but the line was like 40 minutes long so we decided to walk up - God Help Me. We went up I don't know how many stairs to the top - I came close to dying a few times I think, but the view from the top was worth it. Mountainous beauty as far as the eye could see...

After we relaxed (and got our breath back) from hiking up we ate lunch at their little restaurant. Only $10 for both us so we were happy... We then took the elevator back to the bottom and decided to hike to the waterfall. It was so worth it 404 feet of sheer beauty; I really wish I would have had on swimming attire, that pool sure looked fun :). We then left the waterfall area and hiked back down to the parking lot. I'd say over all we walked about 5 or 6 miles today, a good portion of it up hill or up stairs... I'm pretty proud that I pulled it off.

After leaving Chimney Rock we headed to Pisgah National Forest and checked out another couple of waterfalls. By this time it was 4:30 pm and we decided to head home (the scenic route). We took long windy roads for about 2 hours and only went 60 miles, by this time I was ready to end our scenic tour and head for food so I detoured from the GPS and had it reroute me... LOL ... we ended up on a driveway that lead to a horse trail that was gated (no kidding)... yea not the route I planned. It was so funny.. then Jack and I argued about the best way to get home (no trip is complete w/o a good argument). We finally wound up on a 4 lane and started heading to the house.

We stopped in Buford and ate Cracker Barrel on the way home; I had strawberry shortcake (YUMMY). We then finished our commute by watching the fireworks of the ATL as we drove around 285. Kinda cool to see the various firework shows from the interstate. Now we are home and burning up in the heat (cause we were energy efficient and cut it up in our absence). Overall it was a really good trip; I can't wait to go back.

NC Waterfall Trip - Day 2

2009-07-03T19:38:00.000-07:00

Today we continued our adventure in Transylvania NC. We started our day at 6:45 AM with breakfast at the hotel and then make the trek to meet our guide at 8 am. Our guide was Craig Miller and though he was a little bit late for our 8 am meeting he did a great job. We saw between 5 and 8 waterfalls (I'll have to go count later) and all of them were spectacular. Furthermore they were off of the beaten path away from the tourist areas that most people go to see the falls so it was great. Several of them were on private property and we would never have seen them without him.

He was a little chatty so if you don't like he chummy chatty type avoid him, but otherwise I would highly recommend him for anyone coming in to the area wanting to see some falls off the beaten path.

After we left him we went into Brevard NC and wondered around a little bit while heading to lunch. We ate at Dugan's Pub which was recommended by Craig. It was really good even if we did have to hike out of town, down a mountain, to get to it. They had recently moved and we decided to walk... yea not the best idea. That being said at least we got to walk off our heavy food. We both had the bacon cheeseburger and Onion rings -> It was huge and very good.

After dinner we wandered around Brevard a bit more (I bought a picture frame) and then we headed out to Dupont State Park. I can't mention how sleepy I was by this time... My head was falling forward often. We walked down to a waterfall but it wasn't really able to be photographed due to the amount of people swimming underneath it. I really wished i had brought my swimsuit over with me, they looked like they were having fun. By this time it was close to 4 PM and I really needed a potty break - out in the middle of the woods, that isn't too easy to come by. Thus we decided to head back to the hotel and relax a bit ...

We came back and took a nap; which was really needed. We then got up at 7:30 and went to eat Mexican, which was not good at all. We weren't ready to come back to the hotel so we drove around and enjoyed the scenery for an hour or so. The scenery around here is nice and peaceful; beautiful blue mountains, peaceful valleys... We then drove 14 miles to get DQ Ice Cream and came back to the hotel.

So far it is a nice peaceful trip; I'm loving it.

NC Waterfall Trip - Day 1

2009-07-02T19:39:00.000-07:00

Today is the first day of our waterfall adventure. That is to say; today is the day we drove to NC. We got to leave a little early because my office closed so we got to avoid most of the traffic :) So we got up here around 6:30 pm and checked in. The hotel is really nice and clean; very nice for the money.

After getting settled we drove down to Hendersonville and looked around the town for food. Most of the restaurants down town seemed expensive and the menu's not too exciting so we decided to be boring and ate at Outback. It was really good :) and much cheaper than Outback in the ATL which was surprising.

After dinner we came back to the hotel and relaxed. It was almost 10 pm and we have a very early day tomorrow. We are going on a private tour to see waterfalls on private land in the area :) I'll let you know how it goes - you know I always do :)

Life Is Life

2009-06-19T18:13:00.000-07:00

Life is life there is no real rhyme or reason to why it happens the way it does. Why some people sail and others doggy paddle through it... the reason is unknown. Do I believe that as people we make our lives what it is? Yes, to a degree we can and do choose our own path. However, we don't often times get to choose the roadblocks that we run across along the way. They are put there in my opinion to challenge us, to make us stop and think, to make us grow. Why some peoples roadblocks are harder than others - I don't know. Why some people have mountains to climb and others a pebble to step over I don't know.

What I do know without a doubt is that one person's mountain is another's pebble and one person's pebble is another person's mountain. How a person choose to handle the roadblock often determines if it is a mountain or a pebble. The choice is theirs - let them make it.

On another yet similar note: I can't judge whether another person's life has been hard or easy - life is life! One person may be rich due to inheriting millions, what we may not know is the violence they endured growing up. One person may have very little money yet enjoy a quality of life few of us will ever have. We just don't know. To try and judge a person's life and say "oh they have never endured nothing" or "they have had it easy" is wrong and insulting to the person you are doing it to. You don't know their mind or their hearts or what goes on behind closed doors.

Currently in my life I have drama arising on all sides both in my own home, in my family and in my work environment. Some of it I can control, some of it I have to watch and hear unfold and other parts I can only pray for those enduring it. There is a part of me a very large part that wants to just reach out and fix it but A) I can't and B) If I could those individuals would learn nothing. So I sit and watch and try to keep my mouth shut. It's hard because I disagree with much that is being said and done. In my mind and in my soul I just simply disagree - Biting my tongue has never been my strong suit. I'm trying, sometimes unsuccessfully, but I am trying to stay out of much of it and keep my mouth shut.

10 Years - High School Reunion

2009-06-13T20:17:00.000-07:00

Just getting home from my 10 year reunion. I'd have to say it was nice to see everyone... even though the event itself was not what I expected. You walked in and there were dining tables set up to eat at, which is cool. However, there was no alcohol. Mingling generally requires alcohol for many people, especially me. Plus the way it was set up every one seem to come in find a table and sit. Some people were socially comfortable enough to get up and mingle, but most just talked to those at there table.

Some of us went out into the parking lot for some liquid courage, but having not expected to have to do so my hot mixed drink wasn't exactly tasty (we had brought alcohol knowing we were going to a party at a friends afterwards).

So overall it was nice to see everyone, but I wish the setup would have been a bit different; something to encourage mingling. I didn't even really feel comfortable taking pictures -> and you know that's not me!

Picaboo Photo Books - A Review

2009-06-12T18:20:00.000-07:00

I'm wanting to get photo books to memorialize our various trips. A way to take the gazillion pictures I take and make them a quick, easy, viewable, life time memory. I found a service by the name of Picaboo that had a pretty easy to use tool and so I decided to turn our AK trip into a book.

I love my ideas, I love the way the layouts look - > the quality of the book is horrible. The pages are super thin, the colors on some of the pages are not solid (can see white shining through the background), and the binding is insanely crappy. These books wouldn't last 6 months much less a lifetime. Also, one of the covers came damaged. One book having issues, but both book having two distinctly different issues - that tells me something about the company.

So I sent them both an online inquiry last night about returning the books due to poor quality. When I didn't get a response acknowledging my inquiry I also sent an email. So today I get a response. I just love this response that I got from TWO PEOPLE one from the email and one from the online posting:

I'm terribly sorry that your photo book arrived in such poor condition. This is extremely uncommon, and I will report this to our production manager right away.

If possible, please take a few digital photographs of the quality issue to verify the nature of the defect, as well as help train our production team for quality assurance purposes.

When you have done this, please attach these images to your reply to this email. As soon as we receive your reply, we will provide you with further information regarding a reprint.

Again, we apologize for your books arriving in such poor quality. We want you to be happy with the products you receive from us and we take full responsibility for the poor quality of this order.

I await your reply containing these photos and sincerely appreciate your patience.

You did notice the "this is extremely uncommon" comment right - If it's so uncommon why do they have canned wording to respond to it. My response is below.

-The pictures are attached. As you can see on the one book there is a noticeable white line around the page that is completely unsatisfactory and the other book’s cover is obviously damaged. I’ve also noticed that on the book that has the cover damage that the glue holding it to the backing is already starting to give way in areas.

- I’m not in interested in a reprint. I want to send them both back to you and get a full refund. I am totally dissatisfied with the condition the books were received in, the quality of the paper they were printed on and the binding method used. These books wouldn’t last a year much less the lifetime I want them to last for my family.

- I’m also very upset at the canned response I received. As I told you in the email below I had also submitted this complaint online. I find it odd that “if this is extremely uncommon” that you and Grace would respond with the exact same email ((I gave ticket #). If it’s so uncommon why develop can wording to respond to it?

Please let me know ASAP what I need to do to facilitate a refund.

Maybe I was too harsh but I don't think so given the price I paid and the quality of these books. Its nutz! Don't use Picaboo! I'm going to try Smilebooks next; have read some pretty good reviews and I like their tool. We shall see.

I struggle

2009-06-12T00:41:00.000-07:00

It's 4 am and I'm awake. I should have been asleep hours ago but here I sit, reflecting. My 10 year high school reunion is coming up on Saturday. 10 years - Part of me wonders "has it really been that long" other parts ask "really, it's only been 10 years"

Tonight I pulled out the year books and begin looking at how my life progressed from elementary school thru my senior year. It was an interesting trek down memory lane. As I reviewed the pictures and read the comments that people so willingly make in your annual it caused me to speculate. What choices did I make to get here?

In reading the comments, especially those in the high school year books, I can't help but wonder... Would that person be proud of who I am today? Would they be surprised? Did I live up to their expectations? The answer is grey for most, for some a timid yes and for others a resounding no. In school, at least up until my Senior year, I was super religious. I walked the walk, talked the talk and believed everything I was saying. Fact is I still do believe it (most of it) - just less vocally.

I still wonder though - Did I make a difference? Do I make a difference now? Is the direction my life is going now where I want it to be going? In retrospect, I can say my life now is happy - it's family, pictures and knowing I love and that I am loved! All of which are wonderful things. It's also bills, a seemingly dead end job, desire to make an impact somewhere despite the fact I have no impact left in me to make and the conviction that I should be doing something more.

Where is that conviction stemming from? Is it coming from my boredom at work? My comfy home life ? The fact that things are too good? Or is it God talking to me - telling me that I'm not where I need to be with him. That I'm putting my desires, my wants, my hobbies, my family, ME in front of him.

Matthew says " Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

And thus I struggle. I struggle with the war between living and living in God. They are two very distinct things. I am living! I am experiencing a life that is full of joy, hope and yes worry and disappointments. I know that turning to God and giving my life over to him completely is the way to go, or at least part of me does, the other part struggles with past issues.

All to often we look at our church as a pillar of strength. We view it as unbreakable - my experience tells me differently. I know in my head that a church is made up of people and that people, even good Godly people, make mistakes. I know that emotion is a part of any experience in life and that as people we can let it run us over. I know that a good portion of my last year at my previous church, or maybe even the last two years, was emotion as much as it was real. I know this and yet I struggle to learn from it and forget it. I struggle to walk back into a church without the doubtful thoughts - are they serious, do they believe it or is a show, is she raising her hand in praise or because the others are raising their hand? - going through my head. I know they are people with the same issues that I face every day. I know they have decided, or most of them, to follow God as best they can regardless of their personal issues. Yet still I struggle...

I've decided in the past that I could keep my walk with God and not have a church family to lean on. I've learned I can't. I need the support structure, I need the weekly or bi weekly services to help me stay focused. I can't seem to force myself to find it.

But the other side of me, (And yes I know the dedicated Christians reading this will say "that's the devil trying to confirm your doubts" ) the side that is living in the now says... what do you do that is so wrong? How is your life different now than it was when you were a sophomore in High School? Ok, so you drink every now and then (which by the way no matter how I go I do not believe is wrong as long as it is not done in excess, which I do not do anyway), you cuss (more than I should), you don't go to church and you're not on the best terms with some of your family. You still don't smoke, don't get drunk or even high on a regular basis, you are happily married and faithful, you work every day, you don't gamble and overall you live a safe - legal - pleasing life. Yep that's the other part of me.

I'm not sure which side will win. At this moment I'd love to say "I'm going to try a church on Sunday", but I know when Sunday roles around I'll sleep late and be lazy. I know there is a happy medium between the two lives, one that is both pleasing to God and to myself. I know if I walk in him, all things are possible. I know and yet I struggle.

Alaska Day 8 - Trip Home - ICK

2009-05-30T11:51:00.004-07:00

Day 8 – May 29, 2009

We woke up (early cause Mama called thinking we were running late, grrr) and got dressed. They brought us a continental breakfast - not allowed any hot room service on your last day. We ate and headed down to our assigned area to get off the boat. Our flight was at 12 noon and it was 8:35. The Celebrity staff had been paid to see we got to the airport on time, with our luggage. So are in our assigned meeting area and they tell us it’s our turn to leave.

We stand up and get in line and then realize the line to get off the boat is about ½ the length of the ship – why did they tell us to stand up so we could wait in line? Someone please explain this to me?

So we get off the ship and expect to get on a bus that has our luggage already preloaded on it… NO that is not what happened. We get onto the pier and there is the luggage from the entire ship – we are told to find ours! Ok, if you can imagine hundreds of people trying to find their luggage which really isn’t in any order at all and me having problems with crowds on top of all of this? And we have a 12 o’clock flight to catch. I was not happy!

Luckily we found it all and a nice porter did come up and get our bags to the bus for us – if it would have not been for him I’m not sure what we would have done.

So then we get on the bus and the driver is outside making sure everything gets on properly – then we wait to get out of the parking area … which is a nightmare. Then the train stops us. By this time it’s getting close to 10 and I’m freaking.

We get to the airport at 10:05ish and are told we have to wait on the bus while they get the luggage off. As you can imagine that went over like a ton of bricks, but we waited. We finally got off around 10:20 grabbed our bags and rushed to the baggage check in. You’d think since I had my boarding pass already and had already paid the $100 extra bag fee we could just zip up and go. No, they aren’t as organized as Hartsfield and we waited in line for 40 minutes to check our bags. When we got up there 2 were over weight… they only charged us for 1 but that was $90. Overall we paid $290 in baggage fees for the trip – is that not insane?

Anyway we got our bags checked, it was 11:15 and we still had to go thru security. I’m panicking and we are running thru the airport to get to security. The line is long and we wait some more. Luckily it moved quickly and we got to the gate about 11:35 just as they called our zone to board. It was insane and all Celebrity’s fault. There ability to get people in and off that boat is insane. I could not believe the inability to organize and the way we were just basically dumped off of the boat and said here ya go – figure it out!

I would never cruise again anyway as it is simply too relaxed for me. I want to go see the stuff, not drive by it. However, if I did want to cruise again – this disembarkation would have cemented that it would not have been with Celebrity! I have serious panic attacks in crowds and they caused me to have 1 when we got off at Juneau and came close to causing me to have a second when we came home. Not a great way to end a trip – that was for sure. But we got home and are here safe and sound. It was good to get away and even better to see my house and my kitties.

Alaska Day 7

2009-05-30T11:51:00.003-07:00

Day 7 – May 28, 2009

We slept extremely late this am getting up around Noon. It is now 1 PM and we are packing the suitcases to put out by the door tonight. We are supposed to arrive at Victoria, British Columbia at 4 pm and are going on one of the excursions. This time tomorrow we will be on a plane.

Our visit to Victoria was really nice. We were given a bus tour of the city and the driver gave us some of the local color as we drove. The town was beautiful – it reminded me of St. Simon’s Georgia. The weather was great and the general atmosphere was just nice. We went and saw Craigdarroch Castle. The woodwork was amazing and it was HUGE! The stain glass was also beautiful… though I’d hate to have been the maid. I can’t imagine cleaning that thing.

On our way back to the ship we passed the museum and the legislative buildings – they were also gorgeous. I wish we would have had more time in port as I would have loved to explore this town some more. But we did not so we went back to the ship and got ready for dinner. It was our last dinner in the dining room and we ate with a nice couple that was too late to eat at their assigned early seating. They were from MS and were really nice although eating w/ strangers did make me a bit nervous. We then went to see the final variety show which was ok … and last but not least we went to bed.

One thing I will say about Celebrity – they treat you pretty good while on board but once it’s time for you to go they are kicking you off the boat w/ no niceness what so ever. They already had robes in the closet for the next guest and sheets sitting out in our room to replace ours the next AM. Our fruit bowl, which I was still eating from, was taken away when he did his evening cleaning. We just felt, or at least I felt rushed. I really came close to putting on the robes just to piss them off.

Alaska Day 6

2009-05-30T11:51:00.001-07:00

Day 6 – May 27, 2009

We slept late this AM and didn’t get up until 11 AM. We have just gotten dressed and are now heading out to find some lunch. Hopefully something exciting will happen….

Day 6 – May 27, 2009 Continued

We ate lunch – we had the buffet and after the panic attack I had yesterday getting off the boat (way too many people) the people going each and every direction got to me quickly. Jack ended up getting me a hamburger that I ate part of.

We came back to the room after lunch and read/slept the rest of the day. We got up around 5 PM and went to listen to the band we like on board. Afterwards we came back and visited with Mama for a bit before dinner. All three of us then went to listen to a bit more music and to dinner in the formal dining room. It was formal night and was full of pomp and circumstance – we had a good time, but as always Mama seemed uncomfortable with all the pomp. Maybe it was my imagination… After dinner she went back to the room and Jack and I listened to the band and danced until around midnight. It was a relaxing and slightly boring day.

Alaska Day 5

2009-05-30T11:50:00.004-07:00

Day 5 – May 26, 2009

This day started with breakfast in our room as we watched the ship pull into Juneau AK. The town itself was really nothing spectacular (that we saw); just a bunch of tourist shops. The fact it was nestled right between the mountains and the sea was interesting. However, our excursion for the day did not keep us in Juneau. We left the town on bus and drove to a trail that walked you up to a viewing spot for the Mendhall Glacier. We were not as close to it as we were the Hubbard, but it was still neat to see. We of course took lots of pictures and the trail up was relaxing.

Afterwards we boarded the bus and drove down to a pier. Where we boarded what appeared to be a life raft. J Seriously this thing was aluminum and was surrounded by blue inflatable stuff – however we quickly learned it was perfect for what we were doing. We drove out to the middle of the bay and were surrounded by Whales of all types. The sides of the boat unzipped and we were in picture taking heaven. I haven’t looked at any of my shots and we didn’t see any Whales jump out of the water, but they were there making noise and coming up for air. It was pretty cool. We also saw some seals and eagles. It wasn’t the excursion I thought it would be but it was certainly enjoyable.

After 2 hours on the boat we drove back to the dock and headed back into town. We meet a mother and her daughter on the trip. They are from MS but she came up to AK to teach in a rural town for the year. The daughter reminded me of Zoey from Eureka and they were really neat to talk to. We learned a little about their village and how AK life really is for the native Eskimos.

Once back in town we headed to a local restaurant for lunch. Mama had her first crab cake and I had shrimp. It was expensive but pretty good… We then hit a tourist shop for some postcards and headed back to the ship for a nap. You apparently take a lot of those when on a cruise – you would die of boredom otherwise.

We woke up and went to the magician show. I’ve enjoyed all the shows on the boat thus far, but he was corny and not very good. We then were going to go to dinner but no one was really hungry. Mama went to the Casino and Jack and I headed back to the room. We had room service about 2 hours later and went to sleep. Overall a boring evening of sitting and looking at this damn room – yes I’m getting sick of this room. I don’t think cruising is for me… not enough to do! I want to go and see new things on my trip not sit in my room and look outside or go shopping.

Alaska Day 4

2009-05-30T11:50:00.003-07:00

Day 4 – May 25, 2009

This morning we got up early and had breakfast in the room. The view was astonishing with the snow capped mountains appearing to float on clouds – I got some shots, but I think they will be washed out w/ the lighting. But I took them. Afterwards we got dressed and explored the ship a bit looking for a good spot to look off the front and/or back of the boat. We found one but man it was freezing with the wind blowing so we didn’t stay long.

We then came back to the room and at this point I will admit the boredom is setting in. I’m used to vacations where you go, go, go and this relaxing while watching the scenery going by is driving me crazy. You can only take so many pictures of mountains. I sit here now and watch the snow capped mountains as we drive by them and can appreciate their beauty – they are impressive – rising out of the sea majestically, but I want to be exploring. The events on the ship are numerous but … I don’t want to play bingo or go to another ballroom class so Jack and I can get mad at each other. I have books and Jack is enjoying his, but the desire to read is non-existent. I want to be going… exploring … seeing something new all the time. Don’t get me wrong – I love the view – it’s amazing! I just want to be more up close and personal. Maybe the glacier viewing this afternoon will cure me of this sudden melancholy.

Off to drum up something to do – chat with you later.

Day 4 – May 25, 2009 Continued

Ok, boredom gone – OMG! We saw Hubbard glacier today and would never have seen it if not on a cruise. We got within one Nautical mile and were near it for a good hour to an hour and ½ of picture taking. The site is breathless! Not to mention the fact our ship was surrounded by chunks of ice – it was actually a little scary. No idea how many pictures I took – hundreds I would imagine. As we drive out of the glacier area now I sit awe struck by the view outside… if you want to feel small and realize the grandness of our earth this is the place to be! Just OMG WOW - This is the definition of majestic.

Just as a side note – Mama and I went to play word trivia earlier – we did pretty well. It was something to do J Time now for rest – I want to dance tonight – Jack get ready for some tequila, hee.

After our nap we went down to see the show with the dancers and singers. It was 50 and 60’s music compiled into a show and it was entertaining. Afterwards Jack and I went to dinner and dancing. We had a good time and got to use some of our ballroom dancing classes. We then called it a night.

Alaska Day 3

2009-05-30T11:50:00.001-07:00

Day 3 – 5/24/09

This morning began with breakfast in our room! I love room service – Man I could get used to it!

After Breakfast we disembarked from the Infinity in Ketchikan AK. The town is only accessible by Ship / Rail and its tourist industry was obvious. We did an excursion – Lighthouse, Totems and Eagles. I have to say the money was worth it! I’ll tell you more about it later, but right now I have to get ready for dinner…

Day 3 – 5/24/09 Continued

On the excursion we took a bus to a dock about 30 minutes outside of town. The road to the dock was down a dirt road and I heard several people talk about the fact it needed to be paved. However, in looking around it appears dirt roads are common around here – just goes to show how people constantly want to change things to make it more convenient for them vs. just adapting to what the area already has… the price of progress is steep. But I digress – the bus driver was humorous and had some political commentary that was interesting. Apparently groceries are expensive on the island due to the fact they have to be shipped in… However he said the fish is shipped a total of 2 blocks and its expensive too so I don’t think they can blame it all on shipping cost. It was funnier when he said it I know but since this is for my memory as much as sharing with you … you get the lame jokes along w/ the days events.

Once we got to the dock we boarded a small boat (2 decks) and went out in the water to see some Eagles Nest, Totem Poles and the Lighthouse. I have to say that the excursion wouldn’t have been no where as neat if it wasn’t for the crew of the ship! They really made it. The Captain, Captain Bob, was funny and made the trip interesting. The guy in the galley was nice as you could imagine and had the best eyes – eyes that looked at you and twinkled in delight. I felt welcomed and comfortable the instance I was on board.

We saw 10 Eagle Nest and several bald eagles. At that time I really, really wish I had a 600 MM Lens with a Tripod, but my 300 was able to at least catch the fact that a bald eagle was there. The shots are horrible, but when cropped you can see the bird – however crappy the quality it may be. You do what you can with what you have. There were two ladies on board with a 400 MM ProLine Canon lens – OH MAN I had lens envy…

The Captain told us about houses on the land we were passing and gave us some local color which was nice. We also saw the lighthouse and heard of their plans to turn it into a museum. Ketchikan is also the Totem capital in the world (along with the Salmon) and we got to see several of the totems on the shore and heard some of the stories they told. It was neat, though I kind of wish we would have chosen a tour that would have got us up close and personal… ah well!

One more note about the ship – you got free refreshments and they had this Salmon dip that was out of this world good. I got the recipe and OMG I can’t wait to make it! I’ll eat it all in one sitting, it was great!

After the excursion we were driven back to Ketchikan and walked around the town a bit before we had to be back on board The Infinity. We bought most of the gifts we needed to buy and headed back to the ship. I also got me a few things…spent too much money, but I’m only in Alaska once so screw it.

Once aboard the Infinity we took a long nap and then went to see the Ventriloquist show. He was super funny – I really thought it would be lame, but Mama wanted to go. Looking back I’m very glad we did as he was super entertaining.

After the show Mama went off to explore and Jack and I headed to dinner. We were by ourselves and the appetizers were great. Then the incident happened! I had ordered stuffed flounder… it was garnished with a crawfish. You think … ok … so what. Well the crawfish still had eyes and instantly my appetite was gone. Jack had them take it away and the waiter as nice as he was tried to give me a salmon but I was so done. I think the waiter was laughing at me a little bit… ah well – I can’t eat food that is looking back at me, sorry. We left shortly afterwards and went to roam the nightclubs of the ship.

They have a really good dance band onboard and Jack had a drink so that he would feel comfortable dancing - it instantly went to head which was cute. Unfortunately, by time we got their and Jack had a drink there was only time for 1 dance before they were done… We then meandered and heard some accapella singing and ended up in the Disco area. Some people were dancing, but I was ready to call it a night so we headed back to our room and turned in for the evening.

Alaska Day 2

2009-05-30T11:49:00.000-07:00

Day 2 – 5/23/09

We slept till 7:30 AM PST (11:30 EST) and had breakfast in the room, what a treat. The view off the balcony is peaceful with Snow Capped Mountains in the distance. The room itself is roomier than I imagined we would have and we’ve found a spot to put everything; the bed is super comfy! So far we’ve done nothing except participate in the mandatory abandon ship drill, but we are about to go to the Cha-Cha class J See you in a bit!

Well we went to dance Cha-Cha and it was fun/ frustrating. Having taken lessons for a year now it was odd to not be in frame and to not have Jack really leading the dance. I was glad when it was over to be honest. Then we meandered around a bit. We went to the top side and Jack thought I had gotten blown overboard because he turned around and I had walked away – pretty funny! The wind was really brutal. Overall the temperature is colder than I anticipated – they said 50-60 degrees but damn that isn’t what it feels like.

We then ate lunch in the dining room - it was good and fancy, which was a nice change of pace. We ate with 8 other people (Mama was napping) and it was interesting. I’m not typically comfortable with a bunch of strangers but we did alright … they all seemed to be nice people. Especially the lady to my right- she ordered a tea and I a coke… Getting drinks around here that aren’t water or alcohol is a pain. I mean we bought those $30 passes for unlimited soft drinks but getting them at a meal takes an act of Congress. That is really my only complaint about the cruise line thus far…

After lunch we attempted to take a photo editing class, but they wanted Money for it and I can’t see me getting that much out of it so we decided to skip. We walked around a bit and then came back to the hotel to rest before dinner.

Dinner was formal and I wore my black and white ball gown. It was really fun and the food was pretty good – walking down the stairs into the dining area I felt like I was some rich princess in a grand ship; it was surreal and entirely pampering! I loved it. They had several courses and we tried them all – the sherbet to cleanse your pallet would have to be the funniest – man it was bad. Mama and I were having a good time making fun of the pomp and circumstance – while I must say I enjoyed every minute of it.

After dinner Mama went to the room and Jack and I decided to try out the evening show. It was a tribute to Broadway and the theater was beautiful. The performers were very talented – not knowing Broadway we didn’t really get it but it was obvious they were extremely talented, maybe we will enjoy the next show more… By then it was late and while we popped our head into the dance club we ended up coming back to the room and crashing. Overall it was a good relaxing day!

Alaska Day 1

2009-05-30T11:48:00.000-07:00

See Mylerna.com Later in the week for pictures!

Below is my journal from our trip. Hope you enjoy!

Day 1 – 5/22/09

Yesterday was a long day. We got up at 5:00 AM EST to catch our early morning flight to Seattle WA. Our flight was good w/ no issues at the airport, but 5 hours in a plane can really take it out of you. Especially when you are stuck in the middle on coach and were tired before you started. To say the least I was a little crumpy.

We arrived in Seattle at 11:30 PST and were met by our Celebrity Staff. I felt a little rushed with the baggage, but we managed to get it handed off to them and loaded onto the bus that would take us to Pier 66. Once we arrived we ate lunch at a restaurant on the pier, fried salmon – YUMMM then checked in for our cruise. We have a concierge class cabin and boy was I grateful, the line to check in for everyone else was a mile long, but we were whisked away to a “special line” and were done in little to no time.

Once done with that we had several hours before the ship would arrive and we could board so we decided, as tired as we were to see the Space Needle. I mean how can you go to Seattle and not see the Space Needle? I’d say we were about a mile from it and we walked to it (uphill). I enjoyed seeing Seattle and love the layout of the city, but we should have taken advantage of their public transportation – live and learn. Anyway, Mama and I went up in the Needle – Jack being afraid of heights stayed on the ground and enjoyed his book. It was neat to see Seattle from that height and worth the walk. We only had a day or really less than that to see this great city so I couldn’t have thought of a better way to do it!

We came down, bought some souvenirs and began our walk back. They had a festival going on so the atmosphere of the area was contagious. It was a happy - no stress time that was enjoyed by all. However, all of us, especially Mama were tired by this point and just wanted to get back to the VIP room and sit down while we waited for the ship.

We strolled back and went to the VIP room where we sat and waited for the Infinity to arrive. It arrived a couple hours later and boy was it huge! I mean WOW a small city.

Once it docked we were allowed to board early due to the Concierge Class and thank the Lord because we were tired. We came to our room and then went to the buffet dinner. We were done eating and people were still boarding – felt sorry for them. Afterwards we came back and crashed! Tiring start to the trip but we got to see Seattle and now have a day of rest.

Charlotte - Day 2

2009-05-19T18:45:00.000-07:00

Wow, today has been a long day. It actually makes yesterday look short. I think it's the sleep or lack their of catching up with me. Last night I went to bed at 12:30 and got up at 6:30 with some mild interruptions there in. That put together with 8 hours in a class room and another 2.5 having dinner with company people = one long ass day!

Tomorrow luckily training is only 1/2 a day and then we head back to Atlanta. Hopefully with all luggage in tow (sorry Steve just had to :) ). I'm hoping we are back in town by 6 (maybe earlier) which will be nice. I have some stuff still to do before we leave Friday + American Idol is recorded and waiting for me to watch :) I CAN'T WAIT. I'm so addicted.

Time for sleep, yes I'm old - it's only 10pm! Good night blogland.

Crazy Week - One Day Closer to Alaska

2009-05-18T20:48:00.000-07:00

This week is going to be a little nutz. I worked today, had a big client meeting at 2pm and left immediately after for a training class in Charlotte NC. We get back into Atlanta Wednesday evening... I work Thursday and we fly out for our Alaskan cruise on Friday Morning at 8:45... Yep an insane week!

The good news is I'm pretty much packed for Alaska. A few odds and ends, but pretty much it's a go. Which is good cause there is no way I could pull it together Wed and Thur night - I would be insane! Man I can't wait! We are actually going to get to see Seattle a bit on Friday too which is cool.

But until Friday it is a work week and so far it's going well. My friend Steve and I both are in the class so we got to commute together which was fun. A 4 hour drive (well 6 if you count the leaving luggage mishap) doesn't seem so long when you've got good conversation going! Now I'm sitting here in Charlotte staring at the hotel room my company has provided. It's actually pretty nice considering. The bed is super comfy and it has a nice work area + a kitchen. Not that I'll be cooking but still... It's nice. Plus it's clean which is a big plus!

However, it's midnight and I must get some sleep (didn't get to sleep last night till 3 am) so I'm pretty beat and tomorrow is going to be a long day! Have a good one blogland.

Too Many Fracking Pictures

2009-05-15T20:33:00.000-07:00

I have come to the realization that I take too many fracking pictures. I was sorting thru and rating my pictures from our Savannah trip and it just hit me. Do I need 5 shots of the same thing, I mean seriously?

The photographer in me shouts:

"HELL YES you need them. You take 100 to get that one perfect shot"

but then the pragmatist in me says:

"yes, you would need them if you changed the angle or messed with the settings on the camera or did anything different between the shots but you take at least two "just to be safe"! You have a digital camera idiot - look at it. "

So I'm going to try and begin to really think about the quality of the shot vs. just shooting multiple times and hoping for a victory. I know I know - it's not why I shoot. I shoot to have fun and to find that perfect picture thru my viewfinder, but the chance of me finding it will increase if I don't spend 2 hours going thru 400 pictures for a 1.5 day trip. That being said... Alaska is coming up - no telling how many pictures that will end up with.

Life is Life

2009-05-05T19:50:00.000-07:00

Life is life, you either love it and deal with it or you just deal with. Right now I'm at dealing.

Mastectomy Law Change

2009-05-01T10:38:00.000-07:00

I'm not normally an "involved person", but I can't sit back and watch insurance companies try to dictate patient care; especially in the case of women having a Mastectomy - Out Patient Care, are you kidding? Please sign the petition today. See the email I received below:

http://www.mylifetime.com/community/my-lifetime-commitment/breast-cancer/petition/breast-cancer

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proposed Mastectomy Law Change

(written by a surgeon);

I'll never forget the look in my patients eyes when I had to tell them they had to go home with the drains, new exercises and no breast. I remember begging the doctors to keep these women in the hospital longer, only to hear that they would, but their hands were tied by the
insurance companies.

So there I sat with my patient giving them the instructions they needed to take care of themselves, knowing full well they didn't grasp half of what I was saying, because the glazed, hopeless, frightened look spoke louder than the quiet 'Thank you' they muttered.

A mastectomy is when a woman's breast is removed in order to remove cancerous breast cells/tissue. If you know anyone who has had a mastectomy, you may know that there is a lot of discomfort and pain afterwards. Insurance companies are trying to make mastectomies an
outpatient procedure. Let's give women the chance to recover properly in the hospital for 2 days after surgery.

This Mastectomy Bill is in Congress now. It takes 2 seconds to do this and is very important. Please take the time and do it really quick! The Breast Cancer Hospitalization Bill is important legislation for all women.

There's a bill called the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act which will require insurance companies to cover a minimum 48-hour hospital stay for patients undergoing a mastectomy. It's about eliminating the 'drive-through mastectomy' where women are forced to go home just a
few hours after surgery, against the wishes of their doctor, still groggy from anesthesia and sometimes with drainage tubes still attached.

Lifetime Television has put this bill on their web page with a petition drive to show your support.. Last year over half the House
signed on. PLEASE! Sign the petition by clicking on the web site below. You need not give more than your name and zip code number.

http://www.mylifetime.com/community/my-lifetime-commitment/breast-cancer/petition/breast-cancer-petition

Savannah - Wrap Up

2009-04-18T20:05:00.000-07:00

Well, we are now home from our trip to Savannah and I must say it is nice to be here. That being said we did have a nice, relaxing time. I think Hapaw really enjoyed it as well; which was the entire point.

We stared the day at the Continental Breakfast - which was pretty good for free :) I still stand by my earlier blog on the hotel; it was really a nice hotel and the bed rocked. OMG I want that mattress in my home! But I digress; after breakfast we ran by KMart so I could buy a sweater; with the wind it was pretty chilly. Instead I bought me a nice coat that I'll wear a bunch :) Then we went to the visitors center in Savannah.

We walked from the Visitors Center down to Colonial Cemetery which is several blocks away. We stopped at St. Michael's (or Johns) Cathedral on the way. It was so pretty on the inside; I really hope my pictures turned out well. We then continued our leisurely walk down to the cemetery. Once we go there we realized it wasn't the one Hapaw had wanted to see so we walked around a bit more and then headed out for food.

We walked several blocks to Mellow Mushroom and had lunch. The walk was leisurely and I of course took tons of pictures. After lunch we headed back to the visitors center and took a drive out to Bonaventure Cemetery. Hapaw wanted to see it and I have to admit it was beautiful and eerie. With the old oak trees with the moss hanging out of them + the old tombstones.... It is certainly something worth seeing. We took some more pictures and then headed back to Atlanta.

It wasn't a long trip and we certainly didn't even begin to see Savannah, but it was what she wanted and we enjoyed it. In the end that is all that counts, right?

Till next time - Have a blessed evening blogland!

Savannah - Evening 1

2009-04-17T18:59:00.000-07:00

Well, I''m here sitting in my comfy hotel room relaxing ... We went to dinner at Bernie's down on the Savannah riverfront. Not one I recommend... our food was good, but not good enough to match the prices. $14 shrimp basket I expect alot of shrimp and I expect them be killer; instead we got some shrimp that are pretty good and fries that tasted like they were poured out of the frozen food bag. The atmosphere was loud and barish (not good when w/ older people who can't hear well); but it was food and I was hungry.

I could have walked on the river front for a while after dinner and enjoyed the atmosphere, but the temperature dropped drastically when it got dark and none of us were dressed for it so we came back to the hotel. However, when we were helping Hapaw in the car a man made and gave her one of the straw roses. He spoke very nicely about her being blessed to live so long and that she was a rose. I'm not really doing it justice here, but it was sweet, well spoken and she loved it. Probably made her day! I know it would have mine.

Now we are back at the hotel and I'm telling you about our adventure thus far. It is probably a good thing we are at the hotel - we need to get some rest anyway - Hapaw gets tired easy and I want her to enjoy exploring tomorrow. We brought her wheel chair so that should help some.

We are only staying the one night so tomorrow I will be blogging the rest of the trip from my own home. You know I love to travel... If I had my dream job it would be a nature photographer for the National Geographic, but this weekend I really wouldn't mind being at home playing Evercrack II. Horrible I know -- Tomorrow will be fun though; if not I'll fake it till it is :) Fake it till you make it!

Good Night Blogland

Savannah - We are Here

2009-04-17T15:28:00.000-07:00

We decided to take a weekend stroll to Savannah with Mama and Jack's grandmother, Hapaw. We arrived at the hotel about an 20 minutes ago and are 'resting' before going out to dinner. When traveling w/ the elderly resting is a requirement. Unfortunately it also equals sitting in a hotel room board and facebook is apparently down - so you all get to hear me ramble on about nothing.

We are staying at the Comfort Inn and Suites. I'm not sure I've ever stayed at one before and I must say I'm impressed thus far. It wasn't expensive and the rooms are clean, spacious and bright! All good signs, plus the bed seems really comfy!

On a completely different topic we are having dinner next week with an friend of mine from high school. I haven't seen him in ... well at least 11 years, maybe 12. I'm looking forward to it and my brief conversation with him today reminded me of why we were friends, but at the same time I'm nervous.... People change alot in 11 years. Lord knows I have - Man 11 year's ago I was the super "Christian" Girl at school. The one nobody really cared for cause I was so vocal in my beliefs and well let's face it I was never "popular material", now I'm ... I'm just me. The girl who cusses worse than most sailors; has a drink when she feels like it and generally just lives her life. Don't get me wrong, I'm still a christian and I still try to live my life with a certain degree of responsibility, but the fanatic is gone and Thank the Lord for that.

Will he like the me that exist now? Will we still have things in common, will the conversation flow or be full of awkward silences? You know general worries that will disappear the minute we start talking.

I'll let you know how it goes. For now I'm signing off - dinner awaits. Have a great weekend blogland.

Mood

2009-03-28T17:39:00.000-07:00

I'm in a mood! Not sure what it is; melancholy, irritable, reflective, combination thereof? Who knows... Here are my symptoms (cause I know your dying to know):

Little things are irritating me royally! I mean little things like Jack chewing too loud, telling me where to go inside the EQII game and well generally everything.
I want to stay home and not go anywhere while at the same time I want to be out having a nice dinner and dancing...
I am reflective - Find myself reading old blogs, thinking on my life and how I got here, etc...

Anyone have a diagnosis? I'm thinking I'm just crazy... yep that sums it up; Mylerna the crazy.

On another note I was reading a comment from my blog in 2007 from a friend from high school and my response. She works for a non-profit relief organization now and is spreading the Word of Christ around the world. I can't say how proud I am of her for making a difference and how honored I am of any minute impact I may have made. I need to start living my life in such a way that I can once again say I stand for something! So that I am not just meandering thru this existence with no real purpose in life. What will the world remember about me when I am gone? What will I have done to make an impact? Is what I am doing pleasing to the one that created me? These are the big questions and while I don't know the answers I'm closer to wanting to figure it out.

Knowing

2009-03-27T19:06:00.000-07:00

We just got back from the movie "Knowing" and while I can't say it's my favorite movie of all time it did cause me to think. To think about what will happen when the "end" comes. Where will I be? What will I be doing? Will I be right with my maker? You know the big questions...

The movie itself was suspenseful, scary at times and well done. It's not one of those movies you watch more than once and it's not a movie you watch when you want to be in a happy mood but it was good.

Recommend it on a reflective night!

Have a good weekend everyone!

Hooked on Idol

2009-03-25T19:42:00.000-07:00

Ok, yes I'm hooked on Idol - sad, I know but still.. I'm hooked.

Here's my ranking thus far :)

1) ADAM - OMG. He is beyond original. Last week... I agreed with the new judge. It left me "confused but happy". This week it was just stunningly great! Dear Lord, boy got some vocals. As good as Melinda Doolittle's "Funny Valentine"

2) ALLISON - Girl got some serious chops! I love her gravel. Just love her sound; girl has some serious chops.

3) DANNY - Man is all heart and it shows... His voice is incredible and his presence is infectious.

4) LIL - She has one of the most powerful voices. Not her strongest performance, but she will be around a while. Love her personality.

5) KRIS - Has a good voice and is interesting. He's not my favorite but he has career no doubt.

6) ANOOP - Has really grown on me. His voice is pure... the man has some serious vocals.

7) MATT - He sounds good... has a bluesy sound but not my favorite. Just don't like his stage presence very much.

8) MICHAEL - Forgettable, but good. Love his comebacks to Simon. Want him to stay around if for nothing more than that.

9) SCOTT - Yes, he is blind and yes he is sweet. I think he has some talent, but he isn't the next Idol.

10) MEGAN - Please go home... I wanted her gone weeks ago! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE GO AWAY.

House Projects Suck

2009-03-15T15:08:00.000-07:00

Yep, we had our list. Lord knows I hate home projects... read about the horror below. I'm telling you I don't think the #1 cause of most marital fights is money - I think it's home projects....

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This Weekend - Get Ready For Inspector (we are refinancing our home, interest rate almost a full point lower)!

Mama's Apartment

Rug/Tile Join - Fix (Jack) - Jack did this but hated it. Screws wouldn't go into concrete; he finally got it done but he was pissed before it was over.
Shampoo Carpet (Jack) - No Clue if he's done this or not... Afraid to ask.
Trim in Kitchen (Jack) - He's working on it now...

Main Floor

Fill in nail holes from previous owners (Mylerna) - DONE
Touch up paint (Mylerna) - Not done, can't find matches... Yep the paint in the garage has broken down and is no longer the same color so I have white patches everywhere and no paint to cover it up with. Took a piece off of wall to Lowe's but nooo it wasn't big enough to match so we came home and got a bigger piece. Haven't taken it up there yet... Very irritating. Furthermore, when I was stirring one of the cans of paint a hole was punched in bottom so our garage floor has paint all over.
Kilz Ceiling & Paint (Mylerna) - Don't have heart to try this yet. I could Kilz it but then what if the paint doesn't match... how do a I cut a hole in the ceiling to get a paint sample? grr.

Upstairs

Clean, Clean, Clean -Yea, right...
Finish Decor in Master Bedroom (Mylerna) - Was I joking?
Clean Some More - Seriously what was I thinking?
Change Lightbulb in Bathroom - Let it stay blowed, who gives a crap?
Put Media Center Back together (Jack) - Yea... he might beat it with a hammer at this rate.

Shopping

Lowes - DONE

Foot Sliders for Barstools - DONE
Door Stop for Back Door - DONE
Trim For Mama's Kitchen - ADDED - DONE
Joiner for Mama's Carpet ADDED - DONE

Grocery Shopping - We will just have to starve

General Items around House

Stand up Smoker Stand -LOL, yea it will be there in 2015
Fix Outside Bricks - They are find laying on ground, who cares?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Later Items - will probably never happen... I just don't care anymore.

Paint Around Front Door Handle/Fix Front Door Handle (Jack)
Clean up Garage
Finish Red Room
Finish Yellow Room
Wash Base Boards - Before May is my goal
Wash Windows - Before May is my goal
Mop - Soon
Buy Stand Up Freezer - DONE
Go Shopping at Meat Market
Talk Mama in to growing some veggies
Finish Budget / Spend Less

List Progress

2009-03-14T11:05:00.000-07:00

It's Saturday.. I'm supposed to be working on my list... yep supposed to be chugging away. Progress is slow, see below for details (I know it's sad).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This Weekend - Get Ready For Inspector (we are refinancing our home, interest rate almost a full point lower)!

Mama's Apartment

Rug/Tile Join - Fix (Jack)
Shampoo Carpet (Jack)
Trim in Kitchen (Jack)

Main Floor

Fill in nail holes from previous owners (Mylerna)
Touch up paint (Mylerna)
Kilz Ceiling & Paint (Mylerna)

Upstairs

Clean, Clean, Clean
Finish Decor in Master Bedroom (Mylerna)
Clean Some More
Change Lightbulb in Bathroom
Put Media Center Back together (Jack)

Shopping

Lowes - DONE

Foot Sliders for Barstools - DONE
Door Stop for Back Door - DONE
Trim For Mama's Kitchen - ADDED - DONE
Joiner for Mama's Carpet ADDED - DONE

Grocery Shopping

General Items around House

Stand up Smoker Stand
Fix Outside Bricks

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Later Items:

Paint Around Front Door Handle/Fix Front Door Handle (Jack)
Clean up Garage
Finish Red Room
Finish Yellow Room
Wash Base Boards - Before May is my goal
Wash Windows - Before May is my goal
Mop - Soon
Buy Stand Up Freezer - DONE
Go Shopping at Meat Market
Talk Mama in to growing some veggies
Finish Budget / Spend Less

Tax Return

2009-03-13T21:01:00.000-07:00

Ok, so when is the last time you read something good about the IRS? Well here goes... We filed our taxes less than a week ago and our return is sitting in our account! I mean... do you remember the days of 8 to 10 weeks and you get your may get your check in the mail??? Not anymore... less than a week!

Yea I know technology has come along way, but geesh! Go IRS! Love you for about 10 seconds... or until I see the next deduction in my paycheck.

List / Lots of List

2009-03-11T20:50:00.000-07:00

I sit here tonight with list on my mind, list of what I need to do, what I need to buy, what I need to budget for... etc... Maybe it is the new weather, the birds singing or the fact that the sun is up past 5 pm, but I'm in the mood to make my list and get them done. So here is what I have so far.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This Weekend - Get Ready For Inspector (we are refinancing our home, interest rate almost a full point lower)!

Mama's Apartment

Rug/Tile Join - Fix (Jack)
Shampoo Carpet (Jack)
Trim in Kitchen (Jack)

Main Floor

Fill in nail holes from previous owners (Mylerna)
Touch up paint (Mylerna)
Kilz Ceiling & Paint (Mylerna)

Upstairs

Clean, Clean, Clean
Finish Decor in Master Bedroom (Mylerna)
Clean Some More
Change Lightbulb in Bathroom
Put Media Center Back together (Jack)

Shopping

Lowes

Foot Sliders for Barstools
Door Stop for Back Door

Grocery Shopping

General Items around House

Stand up Smoker Stand
Fix Outside Bricks

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Later Items:

Paint Around Front Door Handle/Fix Front Door Handle (Jack)
Clean up Garage
Finish Red Room
Finish Yellow Room
Wash Base Boards - Before May is my goal
Wash Windows - Before May is my goal
Mop - Soon
Buy Stand Up Freezer
Go Shopping at Meat Market
Talk Mama in to growing some veggies
Finish Budget / Spend Less

So that is my list to date... Feels good to have a list. What I do with it is another question :)