1/19/2025

Good morning.

I've been busy this morning, trying to get ready for the week ahead.  I'm working on my last load of laundry for the week, cooking for the week ahead, started my exercise regimen, did some dishes, took care of the animals and now just taking a minute to sit down and work out some goals for myself for this year.  Among other things, one thing I have struggled with greatly is my weight.  And this year, while I'm not taking my goals super seriously (still taking them somewhat seriously...I'll explain that in just a minute), I've decided that going forward, I'm focusing on me - my happiness and my health!  Now, when I say that I'm not taking my goals super seriously, I'm taking them seriously, but just not to the point where I set myself up for failure.  Basically, I know what I'm going to work on and I'm just going to do the best that I can.  In the past, I have set my expectations too high and when I failed, I beat myself up over it.  One thing I have come to learn as I get older is, when you fall off, what's most important is getting back on track.

Friday I went to Walmart early in the morning because I hate going to Walmart once all of the people start getting out and about.  I spent way too much money, of course.  I was able to get most of the things on my grocery shopping list while I was there, stocking up on other things that I had ran out of.  Then I went to Ingles and picked up a few things that I prefer to only get at the grocery store.  From there, I sat down at the Honda dealership for almost three hours getting two recalls serviced on my car as well as getting a bent valve stem core replaced on one of my tires.  Came home, ate lunch, took a nap, woke up and did some laundry and changed the bedding all before Jason got home from work.  We tried a restaurant downtown called Doolittle's that was recommended by some co-workers and to say the least, I wasn't that impressed, especially for the price - very expensive!

I purchased Belli Welli to try which claims to have some pretty amazing benefits such as reducing bloating, supports hair, skin and nail health, keeps you fuller longer between meals, has electrolytes for sufficient hydration and has fiber and probiotics to promote gut health, keeps you regular and maintains metabolism.  I aim to drink about a half gallon of water a day.  I'm trying to cut way back on drinking soda and hopefully can cut it out altogether soon.  After I finish the vape liquid I have left, I'm also going to be quitting vaping again - hopefully this time, for good!  I'm working on getting my nutrients solely through my food intake and in that, consuming low carb food choices that are high in protein.  I'm basically going to focus on high protein meats, some dairy, veggies and fruit.  

I started my exercise regimen today, having only did 15 minutes with the Infinity Hoop because I have to take it easy with the issues I have with my back.  I'm hoping to do 15 minutes of the Infinity Hoop three times a week for now until I feel like I'm in a comfortable place to increase.  Slow and steady wins the race.  I was been able to lose about 25 pounds last year.  I still have about 122 pounds to lose in order to get to my goal weight.  One important thing I've learned from my doctor is to not worry about what everyone else is doing and listen to my body.  He always said, "listen to your body, it will tell you what it needs".  Since taking this advice, it hasn't failed me yet.  Others will always try to give you advice based off what they think is right or wrong, but truth is, everybody's body is different.  Two people may have the same medical issues, but how your body responds to those medical issues and what you have to do for your body may be different from that of someone else.

I'm not a huge breakfast person, so I just like to either do a TwoGood yogurt w/ chia seeds and granola w/ a banana or a Premier Protein shake and snack on fruit of my choice.  Monday-Thursday (my work schedule), I eat what they serve at lunch (because it's free) and I just keep in mind to minimize the amount of carbs I consume and my portion sizes.  Dinner is whatever I make for the week on Sunday's, keeping it high protein and veggies.  I try not to eat after 6 p.m. as that's when your metabolism starts to slow down for the night.  I made Jason pasta and meatballs w/ sauce and I'm doing a healthier variation without all the carbs - buffalo meatballs w/ sour cream cucumbers.  I feel like I'm in a really good place to start truly working on myself and I love it for me! 🙌

Thing's I'd Like to Accomplish in 2025

❤ Finish our mini bathroom reno in the main bathroom

❤ Hire an electrician to fix some electrical and do a few install projects

❤ Get the backyard cleaned up

❤ Get new floors for kitchen/dining room and living room/hallway

❤ Make a D-I-Y coffee station for our dining room

❤ Get new night-stands and do some decorating in our bedroom

❤ Another mini bathroom reno for our master-bathroom

❤ Continue strengthening my relationship with God daily

❤ Work out a self-care plan for my mental and physical health

❤ Take a much needed vacation with Jay

❤ Designate time to be "unplugged"

❤ Pay off credit cards and medical bills

❤ Read more...(especially the bible)

Little by little, day by day - I know that with God, I'll find a way!

11/10/24

Good afternoon.

The week was okay.  I had my phone interview on Monday and they called me back in the same day to schedule an in-person interview.  I didn't get the QC job, but that's okay.  Being a destiny oriented individual, I believe that everything happens for a reason and in that, I don't try to force doors open that are not meant for me to open.  The position I more recently applied for was braiding/textile tech.  I have my in-person interview for the braiding/textile tech position Thursday morning.  I have tomorrow off from work as I have a doctor's appointment to follow-up from the procedures that I had for my back.  The procedure is holding up pretty well for me for the most part.  Tomorrow, my mom also has surgery, so I'll be waiting to hear from her on how that goes.  I'm praying it goes well for her.

Jay and I celebrated our 14 year anniversary this past weekend.  Our anniversary technically isn't until November 26th, but seeing as how that's Thanksgiving week, we celebrated a little early.  We also celebrated the fact that he's been with his job for a year.  We visited Sigal Music Museum in Greenville and then went out to eat.  I finally got my Nashville hot and honey Chipotle mozzarella sticks at Chilis and yes, I got the cheese pull!  Other than that, I spent the weekend doing some light household chores and did a little more painting on my figurines.  I took a decent nap today as I was a little tired.  All in all, it was a good weekend.  I've already started buying things in preparation for Thanksgiving.  Jay's dad and I are splitting Thanksgiving down the middle as far as costs and cooking goes.

Anyways, that basically sums up my week and weekend.

Here's a photo dump from the weekend.

11/3/24

Good morning.

This week went by rather quickly.

Friday I went grocery shopping fairly early.  I came home and did dishes and laundry.  I made two loafs of homemade apple cinnamon bread - one for us and one for Jay's dad.  We took Jay's dad out for lunch yesterday at China buffet.  Having that family time was nice - we ended up discussing Thanksgiving plans.  We are going to split Thanksgiving down the middle with the cost of food and also cooking.  I also stopped at PetSmart and got pee pads and Greenies dental chews for Rebel.  Rebel's been dealing with dental plague so hopefully these help with that.  I finally started painting my 3D prints on Friday.  I focused mostly on Cheshire but also managed to paint Alice's hair.  I just have some light chores to do today such as washing our couch covers, vacuuming, dishes and cooking our dinner for the week.  I'm doing a simple dinner this week - sheet pan kielbasa, sausage, roasted potatoes and carrots.  Other than that, I just have plans of mostly relaxing.  Probably going to play video games for a bit and then get back to reading the bible.

Jay and I are suppose to go to Denver Downs farm this weekend for cider fest and pumpkin nights pending it doesn't rain.  Jay wants to get a funnel cake and I want to get an order of fried pickles and a corn dog.  Jay and I are going to visit with the family animals and watch Exit 83 band play.  I haven't heard anything back about the quality job, but they did post a position for braiding/textile tech I which was my second option, so when I got home Thursday afternoon, I applied for that.  I received a phone call on Friday requesting to set up a phone interview for the position, so I have that on Monday at 10 a.m.  I have all of my notes prepped and ready to go for that.  What is meant for me will be and I know God will make sure of that.  My only concern is the pay.  I don't mind temporarily making what I already do, but I prefer not to take a pay cut if at all possible.

10/27/24

The weekend was lovely.

My Friday was filled with grocery shopping and cleaning.  Babe and I ran to Lowe's because we needed new floodlight bulbs for the carport and then we got Zaxby's for dinner.  Saturday we went out - got our prescriptions and Japanese for dinner.  I also snuck into the liquor store and purchased a jar of banana pudding moonshine.  It didn't disappoint.  We spent our afternoon going halfsies on the moonshine and watching movies.  I woke up fairly early this morning - started my first day doing some low impact exercise, did some skin and hair care, dishes, cooked our dinner for the week and did some more dishes.  I finally had a chance to sit down and go over our finances because there are some things we've been wanting to order.  We got two air purifiers for the house (one for the living-room and one for the bedroom) because everyone's allergies have been terrible lately.  I also ordered a gate for Rebel because he's been having an obnoxious amount of accidents in the house, so now he needs to be contained.  I will take him for walks so he can get some exercise.  I ordered a steam mop so we can clean all of the things in the house (primarily the walls...like I said, allergies have been awful and the cats have butchered our walls - yuck!).  I ordered myself a 64 oz water jug so I can get my daily water intake.  Ordered a new loveseat couch cover because the one we had got destroyed in the wash.  Then just ordered my paints and brushes so I can paint my 3D prints that are primed and ready to go.

I also did some work in my shadow work book as well today.  All I have left to do is the dishes in the sink and then I think I'm going to read some more of the bible before bed.  I haven't heard anything about the quality inspection job which the quality supervisor said I would hear something by the end of the week if I got the job, so I'm assuming I didn't get it.  I won't write it off until the end of this coming week just in case, but if not, it is what it is.  I'll just keep on going onto the next thing.  I'll be disappointed but I'm a destiny oriented person to where I don't want what's not meant for me and perhaps there is a reason why if I don't get it...

I dressed up a little yesterday and felt super pretty.

Here's a mini photo dump of things from the weekend.

10/19/24

Phew, I'm exhausted!

The workweek wasn't too bad, especially the last two days with our PC being out.  Not going to lie, I definitely wanted to call out on Thursday.  It took every fiber of my being not to do so - with me being so exhausted and it being so incredibly cold.  I also had zero patience left.  Several things have been aggravating me lately and I really wish they didn't because it has to do with the actions and behaviors of others.  I will definitely be working on that.  I have to accept that I'm not everyone's cup of tea.  I've always known that, just have to work on accepting it now.  People are so negative and judgmental, it's insane.  I have to go back and reflect for sure because it's a them problem, not a me problem in terms of being incessantly negative and judgmental.  My only problem in that scenario is learning to be unbothered by those people because they are irrelevant and you can't change the actions and behaviors of others.  It's just really disheartening to see so much ugly in the world.

Moving on - I got up super early this yesterday morning.  I went grocery shopping, came home and put it all up, took a shower, skipped out to the doctors, went to the vape shop, came home and made lunch, did dishes and a load of laundry, watched a movie while I ate lunch, almost fell asleep during said movie, took a two hour nap, then went and got Japanese with Jay when he got home from work.  I picked up some apple cider and Reese's hot cocoa because you know, fall things.  I'm making loaded baked potato soup this weekend and brought some French bread to go with it for our dinner for the week.  I just have a few more household chores to do today and then I'm spending the rest of the weekend relaxing.  I have my on-site interview on Monday which is super exciting - I have both my fingers and toes crossed for that!

At the doctors yesterday, I had some skin lesions looked at.  I had seven new ones that showed up on my back.  I had one on my left breast for awhile, but never paid any mind to it.  I figured maybe I should get them looked at just in case.  Doctor is only really concerned about the potential of one on my back, but said it doesn't need immediate action at this time.  He did say that due to the fact that I have numerous moles, I do have to be monitored closely like, once or twice a year.  I told him that I was going to stop my Diclofenac while I was there and he's fine with that.  So, now I'm down to only three medications.  He wants me to stay on Nucynta and Baclofen just a little bit longer due to that I just had my back procedures not too long ago and wants to give it more time.

Wednesday evening, we went to Wendy's to try the Spongebob crabby patty meal which came with a burger with secret sauce, a medium fry and pineapple frosty.  It was okay, but I wish the pineapple syrup was swirled into the frosty, but it was settled at the bottom.  What really fascinated me was the customer service!  The two ladies working that day were so incredibly kind and personable.  I thanked them for that and told them to never change because it's definitely a lost past-time to have exceptional customer service and I had a long day that day, so it was refreshing and nice for sure.  I even contacted Wendy's and told them about my experience.

Yesterday at the grocery store, I had an older lady chatting me up in the cat food isle which a lot of people can't stand but I've come to enjoy it, so long as I have time.  If I have the time, I make the time.  It's nice to talk to other people, especially those you don't know.  She asked me if my cats were just as picky as hers and told me how she is currently taking care of about twenty neighborhood cats.  Bless her heart for being so kind.  We exchanged friendly banter back and forth until I finished picking out all the food I needed for the week for my cats and then parted ways.  She was such a kind person.  After Jay's mom passed, it's definitely made me appreciate the more simple things in life.

I'm going to insert a photo dump here of things from my week:

I've had a few good conversations this week with my best-friend and my cousin that I haven't spoken to in awhile.  Japanese was absolutely delicious last night.  I love fried sushi.  It's becoming sweatshirt weather which I also love.  Work had a pretty decent lunch menu this past week and next weeks menu looks good next week too.  They gave out cupcakes with pink frosting for breast cancer awareness month and it was so yummy!  Jay's friend is suppose to come back over Sunday and get the rest of the yard debris.  Like I said, I got some cooking to do, one more load of laundry and will probably vacuum and wash the floors but other than that, I'm going to lounge around and maybe play some video games, work in my word search book some more and do some reading.  I'm also going to prime my 3D prints that my cousin sent me.  This coming pay period, I'm going to buy the paints for them.  I'm very excited for that!

10/13/24

Today was a productive day.

I deep cleaned the bathroom, did two loads of laundry, made Salisbury steaks, roasted potatoes (for Jay), butternut squash (for me) and french-style green beans w/ bacon.  Just got done taking a shower and now relaxing before bed.  The weekend was nice but went by too fast.  Jay had his buddy over to help us cut down the tree that snapped in half in our backyard; he's coming back next weekend to get the rest of the debris.  I did some work in my word search book yesterday.  My mother-in-law brought me those books when I was hospitalized for my back - I never really touched them.  I broke them out during Helene because we had no power, so it was something to do that didn't require electricity.  I've been making a point to do them more frequently because it's nice to have some "unplugged time" and stimulate your brain.

I received my mail-in ballot today and filled it out straight away - it's ready to be mailed!  It was very important for me to vote this year.  There is no way I could take four more years of this circus and pray with everything that I've got that we don't have to!  Well, that's it for today.  Time to go and relax for the night.  Here's to another work week!  Hopefully it's quick and painless!