WW Wed.-Early

In case you did not read my lost post... I am having surgery tomorrow and I am uncertain of how this week will pan out, so I am going ahead with Weight Watchers Wed. and providing you with point values for traditional Thanksgiving foods. I think I might just get a small spoon of all my favorites on my plate, that way I get to have a little of everything.

1 oz crackers (3)
1 oz low-fat hard cheese (2)
4 oz turkey breast (4)
3.2 oz. honey baked ham (5.5)
1/3 cup canned cranberry sauce (3)
1/4 cup brown gravy (2)
1/2 cup stuffing (4)
1/2 cup mashed potato (2)
1/2 cup candied sweet potato (4)
1/2 cup green bean casserole (2.5)
1/2 cup cooked carrots (0.5)
1 small glass wine (2)
1 small slice (1/16 of 9” pie) pumpkin pie (4.5)
1 small slice (1/16 of 9” pie) apple pie (4.5)
1 small slice (1/16 of 9" pie) pecan pie (12)
1/4 cup light aerosol whipped cream (1)

Pile up on the veggies and for heavens sake stay away from that pecan pie! LOL
Happy Thanksgiving!
 
Love, E

Good morning! It's Monday, but not a normal Monday; today is the Monday of a holiday week and that's a good thing, right? Just trying to make today a little more exciting :) I'm sorta delirious right now; Judson did not eat all of his dinner last night so he woke up around 2:30 a.m. hungry and by then he was wide awake. Which meant WE were awake until around 5 a.m. I am super sluggish right now and trying to regain a little energy by drinking a cup of coffee.
I am having surgery tomorrow morning. I am nervous but excited all at the same time. It's something I have put off and put off ( for 7 years) and I can't put it off any longer. I am having my endometriosis removed. After having my wonderful husband help me get out of bed in the mornings, not being able to pick up my child at times, walking around like a hunch-back because I hurt so bad, and taking lots and lots of muscle relaxers to help me relax and go night night... it is time. A lot of times after a woman has a child and her hormones change, endometriosis has been known to go away and never return. We thought mine was gone, but 5 months after Judson was born, it came creeping back into my body. Please say a prayer for me that the surgery is successful and goes great.
Because I am having surgery and Thanksgiving festivities will be going on, I am going to go ahead and give you my list of what I am thankful for this year AND do my WW Wed. a little early. Here is what I am thankful for:
Healthy, smart and hilarious Boogs! He keeps me on my toes and melts my heart every time he looks at me. I love to hear him say "mama" over and over again. It feels good to be important to someone. I love how he lights up when I enter the room and gives me kisses to no end. I love how he puts his hands on my face and places his forehead against mine. He makes me laugh when everything in the world seems to be crashing in on me. He loves me. And that my friends is the best feeling in the world.

A husband who treats me like a princess. He really does. I used to pray for a man that I deep down did not think really existed. There was no way such a guy could exist. But he did... and he does... God made him just for me. Sometimes I can't believe he is all mine. Here is the first picture we ever took together. I knew on that day that I loved him and wanted to spend the rest of my life with him. That day, was simply magical.

I know this sounds silly, but I really am thankful for honey baked hams! LOL! They are my absolute favorite holiday food and I really really really can't wait to try Nola Girl's delicious recipe!

Doctors who can help me feel better. I work at the College of Medicine and see lots of students become doctors. God gave these people gifts I tell ya; to learn things my brain does not comprehend, to use their hands in ways I could never imagine, to take people apart and put them back together again, and to help heal. P.S. I love this photograph; it's called "Glitter in my Veins" via here.

Blogger friends- because even when it seems like I don't have a friend in the world, I know that someone out there is reading this and thinking of me and that is comforting to know. I have made so many "blogger" friends and receive so many words of thoughtfulness through e-mails, snail mail and comments. Thanks guys! Oh, and not to mention nice gifts! Thanks again Heather for my beautiful earrings!

And for my family. It has been an extremely rough couple of years of us and my family has taken us in and loved us like none other. They have helped us in EVERY time of need and loved us when we weren't our best. I will be forever grateful for you. And hey Mom- we really need an upgraded family photograph. In particular.. one that includes our new sister-in-law. :)

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and remember to stop and say thank you. You really do have something to be thankful for even if you don't think so sometimes.

P.S. Look on my sidebar for a link to make a personalized owl calendar. So cute!!! ------------------->

Love, E

Five Question Friday

It's Friday my little lovelies! Today, we are having Thanksgiving lunch at work, so that should be fun. Tonight the Mr. and I are going to a school production, "The Beaux Stratagem" here at the college and tomorrow is my best friend's baby shower. YAY for getting to buy baby girl stuff. There is so much more to choose from. The weekend is going to be fun, but for now it's time for FQF. I know you are thrilled to death! LOL

1. What Christmas song do you loathe?

"Grandma Got Ran Over By A Reindeer" by Elmo And Patsy

Drives me nuts! LOL

2. Do you and your significant other cuddle at night or sleep on opposite sides of the bed?
We usually snuggle at first and then go our seperate ways. I have to have my space. :)

3. Have you ever had surgery?
Yes, I have. In fact... I am having surgery next Tuesday and would like everyone to keep me in their prayers.
It's too bad Dr. Jackson Avery from Grey's Anatomy is not my doctor. ;)

4. When do you typically have your holiday shopping done?
Hmmmm.... by Christmas Eve. I like waiting and shopping in the middle of the hustle and bustle season. It's fun!

5. If money were not an issue (and you HAD to pick something), what would your ultimate luxury item be?
I would say a house, but I want to pick an expensive product that I would keep around. I know it is not extremely expensive but it is pretty high for my liking at my current salary lol, but these products are AMAZING! Did you hear me? AMAZING.
I would lather myself daily in all and every product this company offers.
StriVectin

Hope you have a blessed weekend!
Love, E

WW Wed.

Let's talk breakfast! Take a look at the points for some of our every day breakfast foods. I have included some of the more popular fast food options as well. YIKES, I think I will skip the drive-thru next time and I think you will agree with me :)

Great Value (Wal-Mart brand) Light Strawberry Yogurt (6 oz.) = 2 pts.

Yogurt, fat free, plain (1 cup) = 2 pts.
Yogurt, low-fat, plain (1 cup) = 3 pts.
Banana= 2 pts.
Apple (small) = 1 pt.
Peach (large) = 1 pt.
Fresh Pineapple (1 cup) = 1 pt.
Egg Whites (3) = 1 pt.
Whole Egg= 2 pts.
Wonder Bread whole grain wheat = 1 pt. per slice
Bagel any type (2 oz.) = 3 pts.
English muffin- Thomas’ English Muffins= 2 pts. Per muffin
Great Value Low fat Blueberry Fruit & Grain Bar = 3 pts.
Pancake any type mix (4” diameter) = 1 pt.
Pancake homemade from scratch (4” diameter) = 3 pts.
Waffles any type, low-fat frozen, 2 (4” round or square) = 3 pts.
Bacon- 3 slices cooked crisp = 4 pts.
1 slice Canadian style= 1 pt.
3 slices turkey bacon= 2 pts.
Sausage- beef or pork cooked (1 link, patty, or 1 oz.) = 3 pts.
Milk- fat free (1 cup) = 2 pts.
Reduced fat 2% (1 cup) = 3 pts.
Whole (1 cup) = 4 pts.
Grits- Quaker Instant Grits (individual packets) Original= 2 pts. Cheddar Cheese= 2 pts.
Oatmeal- Quaker Instant Oatmeal (individual packets) Original= 2 pts. Maple & Brown Sugar= 3 pts.


McDonalds

Bacon, Egg & Cheese McGriddle= 13.5 pts.
Breakfast Wrap = 7.5 pts.
Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit= 10 pts.
Sausage Biscuit= 10.5 pts.
Steak Bagel= 15.5 pts.
Egg McMuffin = 7 pts.
Hash Brown= 3.5 pts.

Burger King
Ham, Egg & Cheese Croissan’wich= 8.5 pts.
Hash Browns (small) = 6.5 pts.
Cini-Mini’s= 9 pts. With Icing = 11.5 pts.
Omelet Sandwich= 18 pts.

Subway
Cheese Breakfast Wrap = 4.5 pts.
Western w/ cheese Breakfast Wrap= 4.5 pts.
Ham & Egg Sandwich on deli round= 5 pts.

Chik-Fil-A
Chicken Biscuit = 10 pts.
Chicken Mini’s (3 count) = 6.5 pts.
Yogurt Parfait = 5 pts. (with granola)= 6 pts.
Plain Biscuit= 7 pts.
Hash Browns= 7 pts.
Chicken, Egg & Cheese Bagel on Sunflower Multi-Grain bread = 11 pts.

If you are interested in seeing other restaurant's food options and point values, click here.

Love, E

Birthday

Happy 50th Birthday Mama-bear :)

I love you!

Love, E

Weekend Reflections

It was rainy here over the weekend, but I enjoyed it. I got some much needed rest. We laid around watching "Dexter" all weekend. I wonder why I am just now getting involved with this show- it's wonderful! I am officially obsessed with watching it- we are just like 4 years too late getting started on it, LOL. We have only made it through the first season so far. Hope the second season is just as good!
Saturday was a little hectic, but turned out great! We had a surprise party for my mama for her 50th birthday and man was it hard to pull off. Just put it this way... we ended up having to go with Plan C just to get her there! All that matters was that she was SURPRISED though. All her friends and family were there to celebrate with her. We had a fun time :) Below is a pic of her cake. It's cupcakes in the shape of "50" with "Happy Birthday Kelly" written on the board. When I first picked up the cake at the bakery, it said "Happy Birthday Kelly On Board". WOW! I tried to go ahead and bring it just because I knew everyone would think it was funny but the lady insisted on correcting it.

Me and my seester waiting on everyone to get there.

Mama's face when she walked in :)

Boogs got his hands on a cupcake

After the party, we went back to my parents house where my Mama's friends had set up an "after party" in the back yard. Surprise Again! Lots of goodies to eat and a bonfire to relax around. Yesterday I was looking through all of the pictures and came across one that got me thinking, "Why does my husband always look at me like I'm an idiot?" I mean, do I look like an idiot? LOL- umm don't answer that. He's been doing this for awhile too because the first picture is from one of my bridal showers and the 2nd one is from Saturday night.

I think next time I will give him a crazy look for once :)

I've been reflecting a lot- especially since a co-worker gave me a copy of Taylor Swift's new CD on Friday. I am being honest when I say I was seriously surprised at how much I loved this CD. I am not a big country music fan, but I do have a very small list of favorite country music artists including Sugar Land and Carrie Underwood. I truly love Taylor's CD and think I have officially added her to one of my favorites. Her songs made me go back in time and some touched me enough to make me cry. I love when music can affect me in that way.

I especially love these songs by her:

Back to December

Mean

Never Grow Up

Innocent

I mean look at these lyrics. I just love them.

Guess you really did it this time

Left yourself in your war path

Lost your balance on a tightrope

Lost your mind trying to get it back

Wasn't it easier in your lunchbox days

Always a bigger bed to crawl into

Wasn't it beautiful when you believed in everything

And everybody believed in you

It's alright just wait and see, your string of lights are still bright to me

Oh, who you are is not where you've been

You're still an innocent

Still an innocent

Did some things you can't speak of

But at night you live it all again

You wouldn't be shattered on the floor now

If only you had seen what you know now then

Wasn't it easier in your firefly catching days

When everything out of reach someone bigger brought down to you

Wasn't it beautiful running wild till you fell asleep

Before the monsters caught up to you

It's alright just wait and see, your string of lights are still bright to me

Oh who you are is not where you've been

You're still an innocent

It's okay, life is a tough crowd

32 and still growing up now

Who you are is not what you did

You're still an innocent

Time turns flames to embers

You'll have new Septembers

Every one of us has messed up too

Minds change like the weather

I hope you remember

Today is never too late to

Be brand new

It's alright just wait and see, your string of lights are still bright to me

Oh, who you are is not where you've been

You're still an innocent

It's okay, life is a tough crowd

32 and still growing up now

Who you are is not what you did

You're still an innocent

You're still an innocent

Lost your balance on the tight rope

It's never too late to get it back

Reminds me of where I was a couple of years ago. I know that some people don't understand how people can change. For instance looking back at how some people were in high school and how they were druggies and out of control and now there lives are in control and they are Christians. Some people have a hard time seeing how they can be good now. How could they have lived that life then and now quote Bible versus on their facebook status? But it's called forgiveness. It is NEVER too late to be brand new. That's the beauty of Jesus Christ forgiving you of your sins and making you new. All those things you did and aren't proud of.. well those can go away and be forgotten. Just give it all to him. I promise you will find yourself in the best place you ever have and with a weight lifted off your shoulders. And no... I was no pot head in high school LOL, but I did do things that I regret and treated people differently then than I would now. I suppose everyone has things that haunt them, but like I said, it's never too late to let those ghosts go and move on with your life- for the better. Okay- so now I'm done preaching LOL. You should seriously listen to her CD though, it's great! The End.

Love, E



Five Question Friday

TGIF. Nuf said.

1. What is the most physically painful thing that has ever happened to you?

I've had part of my lip sewn back on due to an accident when I was in 3rd grade, a breast reduction, a blood-clot removed from my nose, and a spider bite on my eyelid, BUT I am dead serious when I say that none of those were as painful as a dry socket I got after I had my wisdom teeth removed!

Don't know what a dry socket is?   This condition exist when a blood clot is dislodged from the surgery site thus exposing the bone and fine nerve endings. 
Just so you know the depth of this pain- it hurt for me to lay in a room where a ceiling fan was turned on because the air would hurt my face so bad. Yep.

2. How much sleep do you get at night?
Probably around 5 or 6. I wish I got more though. Between me working, going to school at night, spending time with my family and doing mom duties around the house there is just not too many hours left for sleep. Maybe one day (sigh).

3. How long did you believe in Santa Claus? How did you find out that he does not exist?

Okay, so you're probably going to think this is crazy, but I never really believed in him. My parents were extremely religious back in the day and never really introduced the fella to us kids. Right along with only being able to watch Little House on the Prairie and homeschooling. Looking back we never missed out though- we always got surprises left for us from my parents on Christmas morning. My mom has admitted she regrets not letting us participate in the letter writing and cookie leaving rituals, but it has not bothered me. I DO plan on letting my children believe in him though. :)

4. What was the last movie you saw in a theater?

The last movie I saw in a theater was absolutely wonderful! It made me truly laugh and cry. It takes a lot for me to really laugh (you know one of those your face hurts because you've laughed so hard laughs) but this movie really did! "Life As We Know It" starring Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel.

5. What do you wear to bed?

Hmmm... usually comfy pj pants and a t-shirt, but sometimes when my husband is lucky I just wear the t-shirt ;) I used to really like lingerie, but I'm kinda over it.

Hope you have a good weekend. I have big plans, but I can't say what they are yet. It's a secret :)

Love, E

Pink & Green Thursday

Do you remember those nurseries I told you I was working on awhile back? Well- I finally have some pics to share with you and how neat is it that they happen to be pink and green? Just in time for Pink & Green Thursday, huh? Please keep in mind that the lighting is poor and these were taken with a cell phone camera so the pics really don't do the rooms much justice. I am very proud of them and think they turned out great! More than anything I happy that my clients loved their new nurseries and that makes me one happy chick!

Here is Sawyer's room before:

Sawyer's room in the middle of me working

And Sawyer's room AFTER:

Me taking a break while painting the room :)

Now to Annabel's room.... Before:


















After first coat...

















and AFTER the diamonds....

and in between the two rooms I painted Oscar and Oliver the Owls. The End. LOL

Have a fabulous Thursday! Tonight is my TV night (Vampire Diaries, Grey's, & Private Practice) so I'm pumped!



Love, E

Weight Watchers Wed.

It's Wednesday and I am home today with the little one; he has the flu. Poor baby needed his mama to stay home and love him extra today. Plus the babysitter has the flu too. :(

How are you doing? Having trouble sticking to the plan? I have had some issues with drinking lots of coffee lately. Every morning and craving it at night too. I need to cut it out or it will take over. Remember me telling you about my Star Bucks addiction? That seriously CAN NOT happen again. Tomorrow I will be better. New start. I've lost 30 lbs. and need to lose 10 more by Christmas. That was my goal and I must achieve it. What's your goal?
It's cold here and I just keep craving something warm and deliciously homemade. No fast food. I can always count on Gina to give me what I am craving. This recipe is wonderful, filling, and low in points!

Crock Pot Santa Fe Chicken
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 8 servings • Size: 1 cup • Prep Time: 5 minutes
Calories: 171.9 • Fat: 1.6g • Fiber: 3.8g = 3 WW Points!
24 oz (1 1/2) lbs chicken breast
14.4 oz can diced tomatoes with mild green chilies
15 oz can black beans
8 oz frozen corn
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

14.4 oz can fat free chicken broth

3 scallions, chopped

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp cayenne pepper (to taste)

salt to taste

Combine chicken broth, beans, corn, tomatoes, cilantro, scallions, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, cayenne pepper and salt in the crock pot. Season chicken breast with salt and lay on top. Cook on low for 10 hours or on high for 6 hours. Half hour before serving, remove chicken and shred. Return chicken to slow cooker and stir in. Adjust salt and seasoning. Serve over rice (extra pts).

Give it a try! Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. :)

Love, E

Five Question Friday

This has been a rough week girlie's (and boys if you are out there). An extreme lack of sleep has taken it's course on the husband and I. We are cranky. Yuck. I hate when we get like this. Little man has not wanted to sleep for a week now. He wakes up screaming and crying and wants to be held. I know I am supposed to just let him cry it out, but how long should this crying go on? and does that usually include him saying he is hungry? Last night he hollered "eat, eat, mama eat" until we gave him a 2 a.m. snack with milk. Why is he so hungry? LOL I feed my child I promise. He lacks nothing in the feeding department.
I apologize for the lack of blog entries this week- my computer accumulated such a nasty little virus that the computer techs exact words were, "It's bad. It has taken your computer and it will not give it back." Gulp. But, I got it back. I did, I did! and now I'm blogging and it's Friday and if I can get some sleep tonight I may just be headed down a good weekend path! Tonight we are going to Greek Fest so I can photograph the event for my photo journalism class. Then tomorrow night we are spending time with friends around a bonfire making smores :) I'm excited!

1. If you could have any talent and turn it into an occupation, what would it be?

I dunno. This one is too hard. Maybe the talent of making people feel better? My occupation could be to travel around and bless people with positivity and make all their troubles go away and a briefcase full of magically good feelings. :)

2. Would you rather have a house at the beach or a cabin in the woods?

I think I am going to go with a house at the beach because I can't imagine my life without the water. We live on the coast so it is a regular thing for us. Our summers are spent going to and from our beautiful beaches. I love sunbathing, swimming in the ocean, and eating cold sandwiches and fruit salad on a beach towel while my hair dries in the salty air. Nothing like it.

3. Is there any meaning or reasoning for the names you chose for your child/children?

Well, my husband Jimmy aka Jimbo comes from a family full of "J" names and I kinda wanted to keep it going. There is James, Janie, Jimmy, Jamie, and Jared. Then we had Judson. His name came from a street sign that I stumbled upon while I was lost in an unfamiliar neighborhood. I had been searching for "J" names that I liked since before I even got pregnant and I already liked "Judson" from Judson College. Then one day I got lost and saw that street name, "Judson Avenue" and it stuck with me. I think the next one will start with an "E" though. I am really liking the name "Easton". What do you think?

4. What is your guilty pleasure? (I know we've done this one before, but I'm guessing people's "guilty pleasures" change frequently. At least, mine do!)

Hmmm... I have always said that Britney Spears is my guilty pleasure because I still sooo like her even after her crazy meltdown, slutty wardrobe, and bad decisions.

5. Do you live in a house that is deep cleaned or straightened?

I am a pretty organized person, that is why I am going insane living in my parents place right now. Too many adults living under the same roof. I'm a little OCD and I get very agitated easily so the husband knows if he can keep the kitchen and bathroom up, my sanity stays a little longer. Ahh... it's the simple things that keep me happy.

Hope everyone has a great weekend! Oh.. and I promise to change my Halloween theme soon. :)

Weekend Festivities

Hello y'all! My weekend was a lot of fun! We started off early Saturday morning and walked in the Breast Cancer Awareness walk downtown. It was really cold and still dark when we left the house, which I love because it reminds me of traveling. Every time my family went on a vacation when I was growing up we would leave really early in the morning while it was still dark and the air was still cool.

To me the walk was about much more than just breast cancer. I have lost loved ones to various types of cancer and seen others around me hurt from their losses as well. Walking in this walk, for me, was to take 3 hours out of my busy life to remember those people by participating in such an important event. Some people are sceptical about donating to cancer research because they are not sure where the money actually goes.. but sometimes it's just not about the money people. Sometimes it's something more than that. I don't know why... but I found myself a little emotional when we arrived at the walk. I guess I was thinking if I had cancer of any sort, I would appreciate someone taking the time to walk for me. I personally walked for Jennifer Aspen Stewart, Hailey Lavender Jones, Manny Vital, Daddy Butch, Furman Stewart, Roy Lynch, and many more!

Little Boogs could only handle being in his stroller for so long before he decided he must be carried the rest of the way. That boy is heavy!

Saturday night.. the Mr. took me on a date to the fair. We had a blast talking about all the times we had been to the fair when were younger (not together.. we didn't know each other then). We ask each other a lot of questions like "where were you when I was in sixth grade?" He is 6 years older than me and that is not such a significant age different NOW, but years ago when I was starting 9th grade and he was graduating college.. BIG difference! LOL. Here I am on our date winning a fair game for the very first time! We really did have a great time!

and last night was of course Halloween and what could make Halloween even more spectacular? The SWAT team searching your neighborhood for an escaped prisoner!! True story! I promise! There was even a helicopter hovering over our area. They found the prisoner hiding behind the Methodist church right down the street from my parents house. It was a good thing too because let me tell ya... there was a new sheriff in town...

I had a blast at our little Halloween party and could relax a little more after that prisoner was caught! I think all the parents were a little leery of letting their little ones out and about to trick-or-treat. We had lots of yummy treats for our guests and gave the babies wagon hay-rides.

We decided to take them to a few houses on my parents street to let them trick or treat and by the 4rth house they were really getting the hang of it! LOL- so much that they hauled butt running into some one's house and the husband had to go in after them. I laughed so hard!! Judson would walk up the houses and peek in the front door window and knock. He knew this meant candy was coming. He should be a pro next year :)

The babies kept sneaking candy on their wagon ride and were covered in a nice layer of stickiness when we got back to the house. Boogs was one hyper little boy!! See picture below.

I scrubbed all the sugary goodness off of him and put him into his pajamas. I forgot to take a pic with him at the party so I wanted the husband to get a cute one of us before he went to bed, but this proved to be impossible due to the high sugar intake my child participated in.

TAKE 1

TAKE 2 (note- he looks like a devil child here)

TAKE 3

TAKE 4

TAKE 5- Oh shoot! I give up! Too tired! LOL

Hope your Halloween was fantastic!!!