Jan 22, 2008

Happy Feet

I always say, if all else fails, buy shoes! After a pretty emotionally challenging week, by the time Saturday rolled around, I was really looking forward to spending the day shoe shopping with my Mom. I really don't need any new shoes, especially black ones, but I just couldn't help myself! The intention was to find her some shoes, I was just along to offer my opinion - that's the story, anyway . . . I knew I was leaving with my own new shoes as soon as I slipped on a pair 'just to see how they looked on me'. Yeah, right! Note To Self: Next time wear work boots with the long laces that take way too long to get on and off! Oh well, the shoes were 40% and I just couldn't pass up that deal. I now have another pair of black heels and a really cool pair of brown ones that will go with everything! Even tho the weather was dreary and cold, we had a great time!

We also went to the book store and I picked up a couple funny mysteries by Nancy Martin. (Some Like It Lethal and Have Your Cake and Kill Him Too). I'm making my way thru all of her 'Blackbird Sisters Series'. I'm still reading Infidel, but that's some pretty heavy stuff. So I wanted something light and fun for the days I'm not in the mood for heavy reality. I've fallen behind a bit on my reading of The One Year Bible, so I hope to make some time this week to catch up on that. I don't want to get too far behind, then the whole concept of reading the Bible in one year will be a bust!

Jan 17, 2008

It's A Girl!

Yesterday one of my closest friends and his wife had a baby girl! Her name is Kirsten Lane Clauss and she weighed in at 8lbs 11oz with a little bit of blonde hair on her head. I work with her father, Gerald and for as long as I've known him (approx 9 years) he has wanted a baby. Especially hoping for a girl. He got his wish yesterday. Its his first and his wife, Ninette's third child. Kirsten has an older sister, Molly and a brother, Jake. I'm so happy for Gerald that he finally got the baby he has yearned for. He's gonna be a great dad!!!

Jan 13, 2008

A Fish Story

Isn't it crazy how fast a weekend can blow by. You wait all week for it to get here and in a blink of a nano second, its gone and you're back to counting the days until the next one. Crazy . . . My two goals this weekend were to finish one of the books I'm reading (to make room for another one I'm getting soon) and try my hand at cooking some seafood. My experimental ingrediant was grouper. I've been trying to eat more fish and since I don't really know alot about how to prepare it, I'm in unchartered waters, so to speak. Grouper was the big bargain at the store this week (does that have anything to do with the news article I read that there's a problem with people passing off other fish as grouper lately?? - It tasted like grouper to me!) Anyway, with some suggestions from my dad, I fixed my grouper and I have to say, it tasted good! Cooking fish may not be as hard as I thought it would be.

The other thing on my agenda, finishing one of the books I'm reading, hasn't happened yet, but I still have a few hours of this day left, so it could still happen. It was hard to read this weekend with all the NFL Playoffs on tv. I can't concentrate on a book - I might miss a play!! I'm happy for the Chargers; my cousin is from San Diego, so I had to pull for them. But I really wanted Dallas to win their game against New York. But it wasn't meant to be. I'm thinking its going to be the Patriots and the Packers in the Super Bowl. And of course, I'm going with Green Bay. Go Brett!!

Jan 6, 2008

My First Post

Welcome to the first post of my new blog. I've been wanting to start my own blog for awhile now, but just haven't gotten around to doing it until now. I thought that since this is the beginning of a new year, it would be a good time to quit putting it off. Which brings me to my one New Years Resolution. My resolution is to stop proscrastinating. Oh, and maybe my second resolution is to get organized. We'll see how that goes . . .



Today is Sunday and my day got off to a great start with going to church at First Baptist Church of Ocala with my mom, as I do every Sunday. Today was a special day for our church, as we officially welcomed our new pastor, Dr. Mark Cummins. My mom and I only recently began attending the church, but it has been something we've wanted to do for awhile. But like most people, we kept putting it off. I'm so glad we've made the committment to attend services there because I always feel better after having gone. I truly enjoy the messages Pastor Mark delivers to us. I've marked this year to begin exploring my faith. I don't know why, really, but I've had events happen in my life over the past several years that have left me feeling out of sorts and I believe that turning to my faith will help me get thru the difficult times I face.



I sit here now at my computer watching the NFC playoffs as my beloved Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on the New York Giants. My Bucs have taken alot of crap over the years (even after we won the SuperBowl), but I'm a fan whether they win or lose. Hopefully they'll win today and get one step closer to another ring.

It seems like there just isn't enough time in the day to get everything I need to get done. I really need to start working out, but there is always chores and also my many hobbies. I love to read, and most of the time I have no less than three books going at once. I'm reading a very important autobiography now by Ayaan Hirsi Ali. I saw her on Anderson Cooper 360 on CNN last month and was so impressed with her bravery and all she's been through. She's only 5 years younger than me, but she has had horrific things happen to her. I'm only half-way thru the book, but I can honestly say that every teenage American should read this book. It opened my eyes as to how lucky I am to have been raised an American in the 60's and 70's. I had a wonderful childhood with the world at my feet. Young people take that for granted these days, as I did. This book reminds me just how lucky I am. There's another book I want to read after this one called, "While Europe Slept". I've heard it is an excellent book. I first heard about it on Glenn Beck's show the night he had Ayaan Hirsi Ali on. It deals with the Muslim effect of Europe. I look forward to reading it.

One of my favorite authors of fiction is Mary Kay Andrews and I am currently waiting on her new book, "Deep Dish" to be released. Her books are a riot and I usually can't put them down. Because I'm a southern gal, I relate to her characters. I love her sense of humor and of southern traditions. Since I'm also a 'foodie', I'm really looking forward to this book. Its my understanding its about two rival tv-chefs. It's gonna be a hoot!! But I still have another month or so to wait. I need to finish one of the other books I have anyway!

Its getting down the the fourth quarter of my game and my Bucs need my attention, (we're currently behind by 10 points!!) so I'm going to close for now! Go Bucs!!