Happy New Year!

This year, like the rest of the world; I am vowing to make "Resolutions", if you will.....

1.  Start working out regularly.  My lovely hubby bought be a treadmill so I plan on running at least two miles
every day and doing strength building 3 times a week.
2.  Update this blog regularly.  I really quite enjoy it, even if nobody reads it.  :)
3.  Get better at saving money for a rainy day. We are in a recession, duh!
4.  Start volunteering again.  I miss it and it makes me feel good.
5.  Eat healthier and drink less. I'm a night owl in the restaurant business.....this may take time!

That's about it.  I think it is pretty doable!

What is everyone else putting on their 2011 Resolution list?

Not too much to say....

So it's been a while since I've posted.  Sorry about that!  I always have good ideas of doing things like this and then never follow through.

This has come for 3 main reasons.

1.  Magnolia is in soccer, gymanstics and preschool now. So, that takes up a good bit of the schedule.  That and we try to be outside as much as possible to enjoy the beautiful weather before it's too cold!
2.  I started reading the Twilight series!  Can you say...addictive.....?
3.  I started a new job!!!!  I am a bartender at Kyma's now.

Not much else has been going on.  We tried to check out the Ephrata Parade, but we got rained on.  We did make it town to the Farm Show and had fun!  We did not make it down to the fair itself and I am not sure if we will.  We didn't go really last year either.  I think living in it for all those years makes us want to avoid it now, lol!

Happy Fair week to everyone though.  It is something big that comes to our town every year and puts us on the map!

Cheers!

Angela

Tighten-N-Tone Tuesday

I've decided to make Tuesday's "Tighten-N-Tone Tuesday's and give a work out or healthy lifestyle tip.
This week's tip is visiting the website, http://www.myfitnesspal.com/.

This website allows you to enter your fitness/weight loss goals.  It then counts your daily calories eaten as well as burnt through exercise.  It tracks your progress on  a "wall" format similar to FB.  I joined a SAHM group and their encouragement has been amazing.  Currently I am training for a 10K.  My first since pre-kids.

Remember that being healthy is mind, body and spirit!

Cheers!

Angela

Money, money, money, money, MONDAY'S!!!

In honor of Monday's, I am going to post a money saving tip or idea I have come across in my attempt to be a "frugal Mom"  Please pardon the, "Who, What, When, Where and Why" format....


This Monday's tip is:

Who: Bill Shrink
What:  It helps you figure out the best plan to go with in regards to your cell phone, cable, credit cards, gas stations and CD's.
When:  Free to use anytime.
Where:  You can access it online at www.billshrink.com
Why:  I don't know about you, but renewing contracts or picking a cable company can be a NIGHTMARE!!!  This nifty little website logged into my cell phone account, reviewed my usage and
told me the best plan for me by using my last few months of usage!  Thank you for doing the work for me
Bill Shrink!!!!  I will be using it in October when it is time to renew my cable contract!  I will keep you
posted.....

Cheers to being great and saving money!

Angela

Rainy, rainy, Sunday

Apparently to end a drought I just need to plan a day of fun Sunday outdoor activities!  Oh well!  It's good to have lazy days sometimes.  The Steelers are playing at 1:00 pm so I know our time inside will be well spent and productive!

I thought I could use my "free time" today to catch everyone up on my family.  We will start with Maxwell.

Maxwell......
Maxwell is rambunctious and "all boy".  He loves jumping, growling, wrestling, climbing, throwing and eating dirt....you get the point.  He has so many personality sides too.  He gives the sweetest little kisses and then ends them with a headbutt.  He is a grouchy bear in the morning and when he is hungry.  Love, love, loves his big sister and being just like his Daddy.  I can't believe my "baby" is going to be 2 on November 14th!  While he misses Magnolia when she is at preschool, he does enjoy his new founded one on one time with his Momma!

Magnolia....
Magnolia is our social butterfly!  She can not WAIT to start gymnastics and soccer this week.  She is excited to make new friends, as well as have more things to do.  She wanted to play violin and take dance lessons too, but we had to limit her which she was NOT happy about!  She goes to preschool M/W/F at Bethany UCC again.  She is enjoying having the same teachers as last year and some of the same classmates too.  As always, Magnolia loves to be in the center of attention and loves being a girly girl.  We bought her a "big girl bike" yesterday and she is enjoying riding that around.  (When Maxwell isn't on it.)

Michael....
Michael is coming upon his 8th year of working for Dentech.  He still enjoys his job very much there and the challenging task of selling in our current economy.  We both feel so fortunate that he has found a job that he not only likes but that treats him so well!  He has started fishing again at the pond by our house and enjoys taking Magnolia and Maxwell along.  We are currently fixing up his Mountain Bike so that he can start doing father daughter bike rides with Magnolia.  Most importantly, he is excited for the start of  STEELERS FOOTBALL!

Angela....
That brings us to me.  While I am going to miss the warm, laid back days of summer; I am excited to start our "schedules" again.  As we all know, I am someone who likes her life in order and a schedule definitely helps with that!  I still work at the Black Horse Restaurant 2 nights per week and am enjoying that.  Recently I have had time to start reading grown-up books again and have even joined a book club.  I just finished reading the "10 Year Nap" by Meg Wolitzer.  I am also looking forward to fall activities beginning like, fair/parade night, playing in leaves, soccer season, pumpkin and apple festivals and baking!!!!

Hope all my friends and family are doing well!

Cheers to Fall being here!

Angela

The Sharp Knife of a Short Life...I've had just enough time...

I can't believe how much the time has passed since you have left us here on Earth.  I dedicate this song to you sweet, Jill Louise Kurtz.  I miss you so much.  The loss of your precious life feels through my entire soul.  You left us too soon!  Your beautiful life was cut short, but I know you made the most of the little time on Earth you did have.  The world need's a million more of you...  Where our laughter and friendship used to fill there is now a void that will always be empty.  I pray ever day for your family, especially your Mother.  I can't even begin to imagine what they feel...

Mother's Day

Well, I have stayed true to my word and not updated this for a while.

Just wrapped up a busy work week and Mother's Day.  I had to laugh as I saw all of the Moms out with little ones for Mother's Day.  They were feeding their little ones, entertaining them, balancing eating their food and trying to enjoy their Mimosa's while the Dad's sat there and ate their food and drank their beer in peace.  MUST BE NICE!  :)

While cleaning up from Mother's Day this allowed me some time to think.  I came upon the conclusion that the thing is, I don't think Mom's can shut it off and relax even if they want to.  (Whatever "it" is, "it" has so many meanings once you become a Mommy.)  Many times my loving husband (Well just on Mother's Day's and my Birthday's.), has gotten up with the children.  I however  have never been able to sleep in.  I have always just gotten up.  Do we lack the ability to relax once our children are up?  Would the best Mother's Day gift of all be a hotel room for us?  Probably not.  We would lie awake in bed pondering what our children are doing and missing them.  Guess that is what makes us Mommies!

I personally feel so blessed to have my two beautiful, healthy and happy children.  Now that I have them, I couldn't imagine life without them.  Happy Mother's Day to all of my fellow Mom's.  While we don't get an official "badge" for being a Mom we all should.  I would wear mine proudly everyday right on my heart....

Here is one of my favorite songs that I dedicate to my two perfect children,


Thank you Magnolia and Maxwell for making me your Mommy.  I love you more than words can describe and look forward to our continued love and being a family.

Cheers to all of my Mommy Friends/Fellow Moms on being Mother's.  I hope everyone enjoyed their day!

In the beginning...

I have decided to write a blog because, why not? I often have late night ramblings in my head and what better idea to blog them? (You were fairly warned!)

I am probably going to blog most about the following;
1. What has irritated or made me happy at work, ie. The Dog Show people are in town, Lord help me.
2. My children, because they are my everything.
3. My husband because I love him yet he drives me crazy all at once.
4. My day to day struggles of being a p/t server and p/t SAHM. (The guilt of working and the Octomom size of laundry that I constantly battle, not to mention my ever filthy home...)
5. Family and friends.
6. The struggle to find my self in my post-baby, post 8 years of bliss with Michael. (This includes body, mind and spirituality.
7. Trying to find my own spirituality through Yoga, Working Out and Eating Healthy.
8. Making fun of the idiots in the world, b/c if they can't bring me laughter, what good are they?
9. Lastly, money b/c isn't that what it comes down to for the most part?

I vow to try to update this at least once a week, but lets be honest some weeks it will be more and some it will be less.

Here's to trying it out though. May it be an outlet for me as well as a way to document my family's growth in love and happiness.

~Cheers~

Angela