Misty morning

This morning woke to a very misty day.  It felt like one of those days where staying home on the couch should be your only option. Today I decided I would have a work from home day. Secret code for having brunch with one of my best friend.  We haven't had the chance to do this in several months.  My goal this year is to make sure I have these moments at least once a month.  A mother has to be able to have some me time.  Went to one of my favorite places, panera bread.  Usually I go there at least 2 times a week.  But since I am saving money I haven't gone.  It's actually been quite amazing, that not buying breakfast or  coffee has saved a good amount in just 2 weeks. I have saved over $60 dollars.  I was able to give my husband spending money and treat my friend to brunch.  I even had   some left over.  The only thing was I ended up drinking juice and a half cup of soda. I forgot  trying to Trim  the Fat and first thing was to cut out all drinks except water.  Well I have to just take  it one day at a time.  It's progress not perfection.  I was able to lay out my trimming the fat resolution to my friend.  She liked it,  and can see the difference in my attitude.  I told her life is still throwing it's curve balls and I am striking out a few times.  But I  no longer letting it set  me back.  Tomorrow is another day.  I hope everyone gives this life resolution a try.  You can change it to fit your needs.  Everyone has something to change and  cut back in their lives. Goodluck to those who try.  Will keep you updated on my progress. 

Chocolate

Hello everyone.  This week was back to work and school week for me.  The kids and I trying to readjust back to our normal sleeping schedule.  This was also the week that I would start my healthy eating.  Started off good on Monday but the temptation of Lindt truffles at 50 percent off, has been hard to ignore.  Needless to say I gave in.  But I will keep trying.  Next week we are starting a family weight loss challenge.  I was hoping I would've have started some good habits before that day comes. Wish me luck the strong call of chocolate is very powerful. 

Everybody clean up

Today was our planned clean up day.  The kids would go off to my parents house while we tore the house apart.  Unfortunately we got a very late start and my son stayed home behind.  But having the little gone allowed me to be more productive.  Clothes were and still are everywhere.  Will be bagging them up and donating it to goodwill.  We are trying to limit the amount of things we have in our house.  Hopefully within the next few months we will be moving and really want to leave all the extra baggage behind.  This project seems like it might take a couple of weekends. Too many distractions.  But I did get a visit from some good friends my children's godparents.  It was very nice seeing them.  Life has gotten so chaotic  we haven't gotten the chance to just hang out.  Once I back from vacation and settled into work,  I have to plan a lunch date.   Well let's see how much cleaning I get done.  Wish me luck :)

Shopping day

Today was a true shopping day.  Which I completely enjoyed.  I now have a fridge and deep freezer full a food.  Hopefully I will limit the amount of trips I make to the store.  This usually causes me to over spend on my grocery bill.  I still haven't created my budget but now I have more of an idea.  By the end of this month I should have a budget set for everything.  Late last night my husband decides that we need to have a fresh new start.  I didn't realize that meant my wardrobe.  He started throwing some of clothes away.  I told him he must be planning on replacing it.  He said yes he wants to see me in something new.  He really meant it ,  because off to the mall we went today.  I started out small just a few undergarments and a nice black dress for a family portrait.  We even got my son some much needed new shoes.  I might have to factor in a little clothes shopping budget for us.  Maybe a new outfit a month. 

Happy New Year

Happy New Year!!  I've been gone for a while, unfortunately too many life curve balls.  I believe I now have a better handle on them.  This year I decided to be like everyone else and do a new years resolution.  Well more of a life resolution.  I am going to Trim the Fat from my life.  For me this represents several things
1) no More drama
2) cut back on over spending
3) cut debt
4) gut the guilt trip
5) of course the usual weight loss

These are just a few things that can apply to trimming the fat from my life.  And it's amazing how they lead into solving other areas as well. 
Today on day 1 of the new year I got the chance to  Trim one of the biggest dramas that has been in my life for about 3 years.
To keep the story short my long time best friend and I fell out.  During this fall out she was dating my brother in law.  They now  have a son together and we hadn't seen or heard from them in those years.  His family in the past few weeks has been trying to mend themselves together.  Which has been great.  Here's the the curve ball,  Today I get a phone call from my ex friend or I should say sister in law .  She wanted to stop by to bring my kids their Christmas presents. She, the baby and my brother in law came over.   I was worried it would be uncomfortable but it was fine.  They stayed for almost 4 hours.  I know we will never be able to pick up what we had before. But it's nice to start new.  Just this one simple act started the new years out right.  Curve ball hit and a full home run has occurred. 
So I am hoping that every one has a wonderful year.  Turn those new year resolution into life resolution.  And I welcome all of you to follow in my journey of solving the life's curve balls and resolution I have ahead of me.

Pumpkin carving party!!

What a great day. Took the kids to the pumpkin patch. Was worried because it rained most of the day. Because of the rain instead of having that nice fall breeze  we got the usual Miami humidity. But we made the best out of the situation. My parents met up with us and brought along my little cousin. The kids had a great time pushing around a wagon and loading as many pumpkins on it as they possibly could. I tried to get as many pictures as I could , but my little DIVA was giving me a hard time. She refused to take a nap before we went and was cranky the first 45 mins we were there . She would play but refused to take a picture. It wasn't until we were getting ready to leave that I got a few good shots . The kids each bought a mini pumpkin , we had already gotten the big ones from Walmart the day before. I was so glad we did we only paid $2.50 and at the pumpkin patch the medium size ones started at $10.  We went home to have our pumpkin carving party. There were seeds and stringy pieces all over ,the kids enjoyed getting down and dirty. I had bought one of those carving kits that come with a few print outs. Since my little cousin is 10 yrs old I thought he was ready to do one of those . For my son I just outlined a good ole fashion jack o lantern. My son was very proud of the work he did. My cousins on came out pretty good. Once they were all cleaned up I put tea light candles inside and turned the lights off . They were both amazed  ,we've carved pumpkins before but had never lit them up. My daughter who is obessed with the whole birthday singing and blowing out candles , kept huffing and puffing to blow it out . She would walk up to the pumpkins singing happy birthday and blow as hard as she could . She got fustrated after no success. I made them taco and double chocolate chip cupcakes , which of course they gobbled up. Even my husband got involved and help to carve my daughters pumpkin . Ok he did the whole thing , she just played with the stuff. As we approach more of the holiday season you will hear more about the different parties I host . I think today I officially created a new one with this pumpkin carving party. I see in the up coming years that more family and friends will join us in this excitement. It didn't help that I saw Martha Stewart give ideas on how to throw one. This was a great way to end the weekend . It's these little moments you treasure , these memory making moments. And you hope that one day when your kids are grown and have their own they remember these moments as they recreate and relive them with their kids. Traditions are not always the big things it could be the smallest thing , that means the most.

Ticket

I got a ticket today because I was caught in a trap. When I asked the cop what I was pulled over for he said not wearing my seat belt. I told him impossible I wearing it and I always have it on. I'm one of those paranoid people that worry the moment I don't have it on I would need it. The cop tells me that he was going to check with the other officer . He comes back 20 mins later with a ticket. Now it's because I entered the turning lane before it began . So the turning lane is backed up all the way and how are you suppose to get in. Hold up the lane going straight and the jump in front of the people who are turning . Um I am not trying to risk my life over turning. It was ridiculous and the worst part it cost $179 . Thanks motor cops because the crime rate has just went down immensely today with you giving out bogus tickets to fill your quota.