Just Me...

Merry Christmas! Don't forget the reason for the season is the birth of Jesus Christ. He came to bring salvation to everyone. Thank you God for giving us your Son!

Thanks to Liz at Eternal Lizdom for posting her topic for Weds Weekly Writings. This week: Teachable Moments When I first thought about this topic, my mind went immediately to parenting. Once we become parents, I think it is our automatic responsibility to have teachable moments with our kids when necessary. However, my next thought traveled to the workplace. Hmm...I thought, now that would be something interesting to write about. I have worked at my current company for 10 years in various roles in the same basic department (IT). The various roles have taken me from software marketing and development, technical writing, quality assurance, support, documentation and to the business analysis career that I am pursuing today. With each experience I have encountered people and many teachable moments. First, a teachable moment is something to me that is not necessarily something where I am the teacher. It is something where one, some or all parties involved learn something valuable about lif...

Thanks to Liz at Eternal Lizdom for providing though provoking questions in her weekly Wednesday writings... This week...Who are your soulmates? When I think of soulmates I think of people who no matter time or space between interactions, there is that connection that says, I know and trust this person and he/she knows and trusts me. There are no gray areas in our friendship and no matter what, this person and I will love and trust each other. A tall order? Maybe. Impossible? Not when God is involved. The most important element to a soulmate relationship is that God is involved in putting the two people together. Who are MY soulmates? I have friends and family who I consider soulmates. First, my mom. She and I have not only a biological connection, but also a connection based on love. We are honest and open with each other and not afraid to call the other one out if either of us tries to move into the gray area. We sometimes also connect our thoughts before we even get the opportunity...

I have successfully been on Weight Watchers for 3 weeks and have lost 5 lbs. I am feeling better and have more energy. I am also working out 5-6 days a week on my treadmill for 30-40 minutes. Last week the flu overtook our household, but I am back and ready to take on a healthier life. Also looking forward to posting tomorrow on Who are your soulmates? - A weekly writing assignment from my friend Liz at Eternal Lizdom . Later. A.

No more slim fast, weight watchers, whatever the "diet"...I am just working on living healthy. One day at a time.

Started slimfast diet today. Shake for Breakfast (powder and milk 8oz) with Coffee Banana for Snack with Water (16oz) Shake for Lunch with 1cup Carrots and Water Planning SlimFast Bar for Snack Sensible Dinner - don't know what that is going to be yet. I feel pretty good at almost 2pm. Not too hungry. It is nice to be drinking water again. Hope to begin seeing some difference on the scales. I have been working out and am seeing difference in toning in arms and legs and a little slimming in waist, but no pounds reduced yet. Maybe the diet will kick start it :) Later, A

I am choosing to Facebook. I am not choosing to be active on the thousands of applications they have, but I am choosing to check in there frequently to see what my friends are up to. It seems that once you are friends on facebook that even if you are friends in real life, you don't get the scoop unless you keep up with facebook. I am tired of hearing conversations of friends who "connect" on facebook and not being in the loop so that is why I am "jumping in". I have been using the status posts to post a blble verse or prayer thought for the day as a way to witness my faith to my Facebook Friends. Facebook On... A

Kids got to talk to their dad last night. Smiles all around. Neighbor came over with her kid who is the same age as my oldest. Fun times. Kids were in bed by 10pm. Yay! Still tired this morning and really missing the workouts that I have gotten used to, but with my husband not here, it is hard to keep the schedule I did before. Looking forward to my bible study class tonight. A fun group of ladies and a light-hearted conversation is just what I need for that mid-week pick me up. Started Eat.Pray.Love. last night. Like how it is separated out in chapters/books with certain reasoning behind it and that reasoning was explained in the introduction. Looking forward to reading more tonight. Didn't get too far as I was exhausted! Rainy here today, but we need it. Our yard was getting crunchy :) Later, A

Wow I coudn't put it down. I would definitely recommend "The Letters". Not a big book by any means, but powerful. So powerful. Love has such power and it is depicted brilliantly in this book. Going to read Eat Pray Love next. Have heard a lot of people say that they have read it, but not too much more about it. I am looking forward to finding out for myself! My husband is gone for the week so it is just me and the kids. Day 1 went great! We had a good morning routine (early for the kids and what they are used to, but good nonetheless) and then went to my Mom and Dad's for dinner. Had baths...crashed :) Tonight we are going to try to get my son's hair cut and then play with the kids in the neighborhood if the weather is good. Hopefully the kids will get to talk to "daddy" too :) Later, A

So I finished Knit Two last night...really caught me there at the end as I was totally absorbed by all of the stories and how the loose ends were tied up. I really enjoyed it. I wasn't sure I would like it or even if I was going to read it after I finished reading the first book - The Friday Night Knitting Club. But, I am glad that I read this one. It not only tied up loose ends of things that happened in the 2nd book, but went back to the first book and tied those up as well. Now I am reading the letters by Luanne Rice and Joseph Monninger. I am hooked already as it is a series of letters sent back and forth from husband and wife after the loss of their son. I love books of letters. Today I got to work out here at work for what will be the last time until August. Next week my husband is going on a trip so I will not be able to get in here early enough after getting the kids ready and dropping them off to get a workout in before work. I need a plan because when he gets bac...

For the next 7 weeks I will be leading a small group of women at my church through a study of Jesus. We will be discussing the many characteristics of his life. Last night we had a good discussion about when Jesus asked his disciples "Who do you say that I am?" It was interesting to differentiate who we say that Jesus is (Our Risen Lord and Savior) and who we think other say Jesus is. I tried reading a book recently called Life of Pi and just can't get into it. I tried really hard several times to read it and I just find it dry and boring. Not sure if it is more that I just am not looking for a book of that content at this time or it just really isn't my style. We were reading it for our monthly book club and now that I figured out that I can't make the meeting anyway, I'll probably give up and read something else. I am also currently reading, and enjoying Knit Two, the second book of the Friday Night Knitting Club series. It is getting pretty good and ...

Just trying this out to see if I can post via email.

We had an all company event today at work...a Day of Celebration.  There is something neat about having all of your co-workers together in one room celebrating success in times like these.  It is inspiring.  The stories told about service and commitment to sales were amazing.  The Keynote Speaker today was Anne Ryder (a long time newscaster for our local WTHR 13 NBC affiliate).  She has had some amazing experiences including face time with Mother Theresa.  Her speech was awe inspiring.  Not because of her brilliance as a speaker, but because of her faith.  The way that she is able to stand up in a room full of people at a non-faith based event and be so sure of her faith in spite of anyone else...just amazing.  So why remember why...because He is why.  God, our Amazing Heavenly Father, can give strength and permeate through the soul.  His light reaches through people, outward to others and inspiration spreads.  We help people b...