It's a new day, and I won something!!!

Ok, this blog is pathetic. It's still a blog, for all intents and purposes, so I shall keep adding to it. No one reads it, but that isn't the point. The point is that I love to talk, and share, and chat. I've never been a diary or journal keeper, but I am intrigued by blogging. I love to just type away and let the thoughts flow. My blog isn't pretty. It's bland and boring. No cute graphics, no adds or advertisements. But there's room to grow.So I forge ahead.

One of my favorite web sites, and I guess it started out as a blog, but now it's an awesome blog/website, is by Ree Drummond, aka the Pioneer Woman. She's funny, smart, a great cook and feels like a best friend, even though I never met her. But that will all change in a few weeks. I entered and won a contest she was sponsoring on her web site. I get to spend a weekend at her ranch, along with the cookbook author Pam Anderson. I love Pam's no nonsense approach to cooking.  It's something I really need. People say I'm a great cook, but I don't think so. I stress too much when I entertain, and it feels like I'm in a play putting on the performance for all to see. I am spent and tired at the end. I long to simplify, throw something wonderful together, invite my guests to pitch in, but it never works that way! I fret and fuss and it needs to stop!

So this ranch weekend will be a good start for me to meet Ree and Pam, two ladies who know a thing or two about cooking, and entertaining, and seem to be very down to earth. I don't expect there will be any puff pastry rolled appetizers, or fancy entrees.  No flaming desserts or after dinner drinks will be served, ( although I hope there will be wine!). But I do know the food will be fresh and well prepared, and the company even better. I;m sure there will be lots of laughter. Eating, drinking and laughing. Sounds perfect doesn't it?

So this is what excited me today:

* winning this awesome contest and the thought of a weekend on the rance cooking with Ree and Pam

* hitting the Ann Taylor store today for some much needed wardrobe essentials

*getting a good car wash, vacuuming the insides, and cleaning the windows

* using my 25% off everything in the store coupon at CVS

*turning on the new fountain I bought which stands in the middle of my perennial garden

Hope your day had some exciting moments too! Bye for now.

Rain, rain go away!

We don't live in the Pacific Northwest, but it sure feels like it. Rainy, cloudy, dark skys that go on and on. But the foliage, and the grass, and the plants and shrubs look so green right now. More green than I have ever seen them. Here's what's exciting me today......

1) had dinner with some old friends last night, loved the Sean Minor Pinot Noir I had with my tuna steak ( done rare) dinner. Loved the conversation and catching up that we did. Talked about life, sex, books, kids. Amazing how much we can cover in a couple of hours!

2) Happy that Kirstie Alley made it through to the finals on Dancing with the Stars. She motivates me because at her age, she doesn't let her weight, age, physical ability get in her way.

3) Enjoyed a pizza made with flat out bread for lunch. Spread some sauce on the flat bread, top with cheese, hot pepper flakes, garlic powder and bake at 400 degrees for about 10 minutes until bubbly. Yummy!

4) Looking forward to my sushi dinner tonight at Blue Fin with hubby and son.

God is good...Christmas is coming!!! Bye for now!

Another new day, first day of the rest of my life!

I don't know why I want to be a blogger. I think I just like to get what's in my head out on paper. I have so much in there. I love to read other blogs, and I'm addicted to the weight loss blogs...me and jorge, healthy me doing the belly fat cure. They motivate me, make me smile, and I realized how similar we all are, even with all the differences going on in our lives. I also love the pioneer woman. Look forward to reading it each day as if arrives in my email.

I am trying to now live life by making small goals. In my last post I said I wanted to lose five pounds. I didn't exactly make that goal in one month, but I made it in a month and a half. Point is, I'm still trying to stay focused, trying to watch my sugar and carb intake, trying to get to the gym.

So another day starts, and onward I go towards my goals. I hope to reach them, and if not there will be another day to try.