Merry Christmas!

All is well with this groovey mom.....I am with my family and that's all it takes to put a smile on this cute weathered face! 1 day to go and we are still shopping.....but will be done today. I hope you all have the best holiday ever. Remember one thing, it's not about the presents, the tree, the food, the stress, it's about our Savior, Jesus Christ and the celebration of His birth. Give thanks, kick back and relax and enjoy this wonderful season!

Poor me.....

I cannot believe it's December. I have missed this blogging thing. It has been way to long since I've been here. Amazing how work gets in the way of the good stuff.
I am still in Cheyenne working, which means being away from my husband who has been traveling all over the place with his job as well, we are certainly in a strange time in our lives. Not to mention my married daughter goes back and forth from Detroit to San Diego, and my son is in Northern Colorado at school.
We used to be such a traditional family. Dad worked, Mom stayed home and volunteered at school, kids were active in everything, sports, band, etc. We ate dinner together, bought our Christmas tree on Thanksgiving weekend and did not take it down til New Years.
Gone are the days of our traditional life. And my heart aches for it. My house is rented to strangers, my "stuff" is in a storage somewhere in Fort Worth, my family is scattered, I can't find my address book, so for the second year in a row, no cards. I cannot find my bible, ugh! I love my friends and community in Windsor which is where we have resided for the last 6 years. Working in Cheyenne allows me to visit there often because it is only 45 minutes away. I must say I have really been too busy to be too home sick so far, but now with Christmas approaching...this ache in my heart and gut seems to be getting bigger and lasting longer.
Last weekend I went down for a Christmas party and stayed the night with friends so I could get up and go to church. My church. The one I have not seen in 6 months. I was so emotional (I am always emotional at church, can never make it through without tears), but this week was exceptionally bad... I was homesick, homesick for my house, my tree, my lights, my decorations, my husband, my kids, my dog, my neighbors, my life. Through the whole service I had a lump the size of Texas in my throat. My friends around me not knowing that at any moment I wanted to explode and cry and lay on the floor and have a tantrum that would put any 2 year old to shame. But as we sang and worshiped I looked around and remembered what life is all about. There I was in a church surrounded by friends, and surrounded by God. I had just seen all of my family at Thanksgiving and I will be seeing them again for Christmas. And suddenly things became a little more clear. Its not about the tree, the lights, the stuff...its about our life. Our life as Christians, and the sacrifice that Jesus made for us, for me. Even though I was feeling like I had nothing left, and having a small pity party, no home, no family, no tree, no lights, no "stuff"... I really have it all. When I decided to give thanks to HIM, it became crystal clear. I have the best family in the world, I have a husband who has loved me for more than 30 years, 2 kids that I am so proud of who love me, and a son-in-law that I wouldn't trade for the world. No matter where I am, I have a roof over my head and a warm meal when I want, the best friends on the planet, and I live in the best country in the world even with all it's troubles that allows me to be free and choose where I want to live and how I want to live. I am so blessed and have to remind myself while even though I miss my "stuff" and my tree...I will soon be with all the people close to me, gathered together at this special time of the year where it's really not about the stuff, but the birth of our Savior, how lucky am I?
If I don't get back here before Christmas-Merry Christmas! And remember, it's not about the stuff....it's about HIM.

Government Cheese

I'm not sure if they even give this stuff out anymore, but sometime in my life I saw a block of government cheese. It was this generic box of Velveeta like cheese that was government issued. I remember thinking how gross it must have tasted...and thinking I hope I never have to eat that stuff. We are in the midst of such a mess in our country right now, and I am so amazed at how many people don't actually realize the situation.
What is so hard about this? If you give people a block of government cheese and $600.00 a month, they will be miserable. They will never get out of that rut. If you create a government with a strong economy and create more jobs and opportunity for better education, then you will give these people hope, and the chance for a better life. Jobs and education is what it takes to achieve the American Dream. Not a frickin' box of government cheese....
Posted by Grooveymom on my "Common Sense Page" a few days ago.

October?

Okay, it's October.....I have been working, working, and working, and all of a sudden it is October! Even though I have been working, I am enjoying the fall.....we have had great weather here in Colorado and Wyoming! Perfect football weather!
Even if my teams have not had such great luck so far....Detroit Lions, and UNC Bears....
Missing my hubby, but he is busy traveling the country side as well, I will see him soon....
Strange how life suddenly changes. We used to be the typical family, Dad worked, Mom stayed home, 2 kids and pets...dinner every night, sports, then one day you wake up and it is all changed. Kids go off to college, get married, Dad gets transferred to another state, I go to work in another state....Ugh! Miss my old life, but must stay positive about the new....still have much to be thankful for! Guess I'm not blogging...just rattling on....more later :0)

Hey, I'm in Cheyenne, Wyoming!

Hey, sorry I have not been around to post. Been very very busy! New job in Cheyenne Wyoming. Working temporarily for an oil leasing company....lot's of hours, miss my hubby, but it's all good. Can't believe I was just getting into the swing of things in Fort Worth and now Wyoming???? Life is an adventure.....more to come!

The Weekends....

The weekends are killing me! I starve, work out, lose 2 lbs. during the week, good job! The weekend comes along, I go out to dinner, throw back a couple beers...gain 2 lbs...it's killing me! But what does a person do? I even quit ordering my own meal when we go out, I now split with my husband, or order 1 item ala carte. But it will always be more calories than a bowl of Special K and carrots! So, it's Monday and here I go again.....can you say lap band??????????????

What the heck has happened to us?

Normally I save this stuff for my "Common Sense" page, but it is weighing heavy on me today. I tend to listen to more National news and Political news because that is where my interest lies. However, now that I am in the Dallas/Fort Worth area I have been listening to more and more local news.
Everyday, and I mean EVERYDAY, a child dies a horrible death, beaten, strangled, kidnapped and murdered. I am in shock over the violence and crime that take place in our cities daily. What the hell has happened to us? Where is God in all this?
We have taken God out of everything so we will be politically correct. Political correctness is what is killing our great nation. Because we have free speech we allow all the crap and evil out there to be spread in all of our TV shows, movies, music. Is it any wonder our children are confused? Where is the good? Forget about what we can do....what about what we should do? Where is our moral conscience? Because abortion is legal, should we teach our young girls that this is the answer. Should we glamorize sex, porn, adultery, and whatever other bullshit we can think of because we can? We need to protect our children, teach them morals, teach them that there are consequences for their actions. We need to change the direction of the country. We need take care of the victims, not the criminals. God gave us the choice between evil and good. It's that simple. We can choose the good or the bad. I personally don't care anymore about the rights of people corrupting our society. I know in our government all people are protected and have rights. But somehow we have twisted every evil and bad deed into someone's rights. What about the good? Why can't we just choose the good? Not because its the legal thing to do but because its the right and moral thing to do?

The Size of Texas.....

People are always referring to things "the size of Texas."
We had a hamburger the size of Texas, he's got arms the size of Texas, etc. Well when I moved to Texas several people told me about the bugs in Texas....said they were big, and plenty of them! Well, to anyone who knows me, knows I HATE bugs....so I am always on guard here. Anyway, I have noticed lately in the mornings on my walk/run there have been more and more grasshoppers jumping around. They have been the smaller brown ones, really not that big of deal, I can handle these little creatures (I'm getting better in my old age)....but lately the big boys are out! Big green ones, they don't hop, they fly, and dive. These suckers are making me a little nervous every morning....I do NOT want one flying at me, looking at me, landing on me, well, you get the picture. So the other morning, in front of Tom Thumb's (local chain grocery store)you guessed it....one darts right at me! Actually hits me in the waist, now I am jogging, and all of a sudden I am attacked! So now I am screaming and jumping and shaking my t-shirt (ready to strip down if I have to) and it jumps off. After gaining my senses, I look around praying that no one has seen this spectacle I have made of myself...whew, I think I'm in the clear, oh, wait, not one, not two, but a truck load of Hispanic gardeners working on the grounds are all staring at me...they are not laughing. They look sympathetic actually...I will not make eye contact..just keep moving. I doubt that they even saw the grasshopper the size of Texas, I'm sure they think I have Tourettes or something...anyway, when they say grasshoppers the size of Texas that's what they mean!

Random Thoughts

One month into this diet/exercise thing...3 lbs. That's it!
!@#$$%^&**&^^%%%!!!!!!!!!



I was sooooooo excited for the Lion's this year....and now we all have the wind knocked out of us....I can't stand the thought of Jordon being hurt, I want to make it go away....the Mom in me.
If I could make it my knee, I would. But each day I remind myself of how much worse it could be....but I'm sure he's tired of hearing that..."it could be worse", and yes it could be....but right now, it stinks! Anyway, as my groovey sis and I always say....one day at a time....love you Jordon, heal quickly....

Eating our way through the greater ....

Eating our way through the greater Fort Worth area...okay, so My hubby and I are stuck here in TX. We really have no friends or family. We have each other. Good thing we like each other and we do know how to have fun together. Friday and Saturday night we go out to dinner. Not good for my diet, but we have to do something. So every Fri. and Sat. night we try a new restaraunt. Very fun. Especially since there are so many great places to eat around here. Barbque, Tex-Mex, and anything else you would want.
But here is the fact: I am tying to lose weight.
I have been exercising, and dieting. I know what to eat when out and what to drink when out. My drink of choice and not too bad on the caloric intake, light beer, I usually have 1 or 2. So Saturday night we went to this great littl Mexican dive, frozen margs....probably about 500 calories each, I never drink these things...but it was hot, and whatever...I started with a light beer. Then one marg. Then My hubby says lets split one more marg. Yummy, then he says lets split one more but brings back 2....now I am not only drunk, because I am a light weight....but I feel the pounds and fat piling up on my poor body...all that work during the week...running, walking, yoga, the carrots. Crap, thank goodness today is Monday...here we go again. :(

Random Diet Thoughts....

I hate my scale, it is the bearer of bad news. Are you kidding me? I cannot lose weight. So obviously I am still eating too much. I have been counting calories, my cardinal rule is to stay under
1500. I would say I average about 1300 a day. This is not enough to lose weight, I don't gain (Thank goodness) but don't lose....here's the deal, the more I exercise the hungrier I am. How do you run 3 miles and not get hungry?
Isn't there some rule floating around out there that says once you reach 50....pot belly's are cute? Why can't they be? Chubby thighs on babies are cute, how come they can't be on me?
If I eat one more raw carrot, I will barf.
Okay, can I eat 1,000 calories today and not go over? Are there any lunches at Outback that are even under that amount? (Since I have a lunch date there today)...wonder if I can have one rib and raw carrots there? Pray for me.....:0(

Ugh!

I BOUGHT A SCALE! HUGE BUMMER....Here I thought I was doing so well. Eating healthy, cutting back on food consumption, exercising more, trying to run...really? I have lost 1 and 1/2 lbs in 3 weeks, that's it. Okay, I am not going to give up on this quest, but thank goodness I bought a scale...so now...let the games begin. I am obsessed, I am counting calories. The biggest mistake I was making is not counting those little bastards (sorry). But seriously...my glass of juice in the morning is 180 calories, so there you go...and when you grab a handful of almonds or walnuts and think its a healthy snack, it is...but they are HIGH in calories, so yes, you have to count them out! Lord help me....its exhausting just thinking about it, but I did run/walk 45 minutes today, so at least my heart is getting healthy...too bad it has to pack around this bug butt!

To Weigh or Not To Weigh?

To weigh or not to weigh, that is the question. I have had a scale in my house for most of my adult life. Faithfully weighing myself every morning and watching the numbers climb upward....during the packing and moving recently I tossed the scale in the trash, it was not accurate and old. I decided I did not need a scale any longer to tell me I needed to lose weight! Look in the mirror, you'll get the same answer! And some experts say...no scale. Just try to eat healthy and exercise, just "feel" good about yourself. BS, I need numbers!
So, 2 weeks now into this lose 30 lbs thing...and I have no idea how much I weigh. I know I have lost a few lbs, but I need to know how much. I need to adjust (eating, work outs) if the results are not what they should be. If I'm gonna bust my butt trying to run, I better be losing a few lbs. So, I,m caving in. Today I'm going to Target and buying a scale...can't wait, or should I say weight?

Did I really say 9 miles?????

Lord help me...9 miles, well actually a 15K is about 9.3 I think. What was I thinking....maybe a 10K would be better? I have been working out and trying to run a little, get this old girl into shape. I have been doing about 40-50 minutes of cardio most days. The last 2 days I have walk/jogged about 40 minutes. I think I can probably run 1 mile...thats it. I could briskly walk till the cows come home...but an actual run.....no. What am I thinking, I know Rome wasn't built in a day...but this may take longer than 6 months. The race is in January. One day at a time....
Also, the diet: cottage cheese, carrots, veggies, lean meat, salads, did I say carrots? I'm sure if I lose this 30 lbs, I could probably run a marathon! One day at a time....if any of you want to join me in this race, feel free to jump in at any time. :)

Too Much Fun.....

Okay, having too much fun here in Texas! More than a girl can handle. Today's festivities included:
Woke up, made coffee, vacuumed.
Read emails, worked out.
For lunch: 1 cheese stick, turkey, and carrots, yum!
Shower.
Vacuumed then had dinner.
Dinner: salad with grilled chicken.
Snack: almonds and walnuts and craisins (mix) my own personal trail mix recipe.
Okay, I know your all jealous of my life, so to make you really jealous, I think I'll go vacuum.

20 Is Now 30......

Actually maybe 25, I've dropped a few.
Okay people, I have been wanting to lose 20 lbs for about 5 years now. And in the last 6 months, I have gained another 10, so there you have it 30 lbs! This is so hard for me to even grasp! I was the skinniest girl in my class.....every class! Elementary, Middle, and High School! I was also the skinniest of my fiends in College....Even after 2 kids, I was skinny, probably up to about 38 years old....then came "I'd like to lose 5 lbs, I said that for a good 5 years, then eight, then 10, then 15....and on and on and on.
I am a broken record, I can hardly listen to myself anymore, I'm sure no one else can either....it's time to shit or get off the pot! (sorry) So my beautiful skinny daughter, who as most of you know ran track in college....tells me to run a marathon, NO WAY, I can't even bring myself to think about that...torture, then she says 1/2 marathon....hmmmm....13 miles? NO WAY! I have to be realistic...a 10K that's for me...I know I can do it, I've done them before. NO, what a whimp, I need a challenge, one that makes me run, and train hard....I found it, a 15K-9 miles....I think I could do that? I don't know-scary....maybe, pray for me. :)

Flea For Texas.....Flea For Tennesee...

This has been my last week in this "new apt." the complex is really not new, but new to us. And it is nice, freshly painted, new carpeting, we have no pets, but....I have fleas!
For those of you who are my facebook friends you have probably read these posts....
It's not T for Texas...it's flea for Texas! Fleas! Lord help me! :(
flea for Texas...flea for Tennessee...lalalala

Flee fleas! Carpets were sprayed. Carpets were vacuumed. NO fleas in sight! Does this make me a flea-flicker? What is a flea-flicker? I am losing it.....

It's official, I am the vacuum queen......3-4 times a day, living in flea paranoia will do that to a girl....Sorry fb friends......but no TV, Internet, and fleas tend to make a cowgirl cranky!!!!
I truly am the vacuum queen, and I really do vacuum at least twice a day now, and yes I am still finding fleas! Okay, it's gotten better and the exterminator said it would take up to 20 days, but do you know what its like to squirm and look at your feet 200 times a day cause you think there is a flea on it????? Can I sue for anxiety? I will give it one more week....then I will have to turn to drastic measures! Oh...slap, another one bites the dust, pesky little critters...good grief, I have moved and gone to hell. :(

Howdy From Texas! Lord Help Me...

Well, here I am...in the lone star state!
I have not blogged in sooooo long. And miss it! But I have been on quite the adventure! I finally moved from Windsor to Fort Worth, but was only in Fort Worth 5 days and had to go to California for a family medical emergency (I'll blog about that later), 3 weeks later, I finally made it back to Texas! My poor hubby...he was still stuck in an Extend America (hotel). But now we are moved into a new apartment and trying to get settled. Which has been very interesting to say the least!
I know that moving is always a bummer, the only thing good about it is you tend to get rid of stuff you don't need! That's the good news.
But all the changes that need to be made, cable, internet, phones, addresses, yada yada. Can you say nightmare???? I don't know if its my bad luck, Murphy's Law, or this frickin' state, but I am on the brink of insanity. We have been in this place for two weeks now and Lord help me.....still no cable tv (direct tv) 10 phone calls, 2 tech visits, service cancelled, suspended, turned on, turned off, on again, all to find our complex is MDU-multi dwelling unit, which means a 3rd party co. has to handle it.....whatever???????Not to mention, AT&T has tuned off our internet service (long story) but they are sending a new modem for wireless, because they sent us the wrong one in the first place! Okay, I know I'm a whiner.....but who are these people....they are in another country....Okay, I'm still whining...did I mention the TV also out in our gym? They are working on the roof....guess I am going to have to get a newspaper to see what the heck is happening out there....

Texas Bound!

If you are wondering where I have been.....Moving! Packing, cleaning, tossing, complaining, crying, ugh! We have to move. Fort Worth, Texas here we come! Whether we want to or not!
We live in such an awesome community, it is very hard to leave. But Mike's job is calling...and we know we are blessed that we have this wonderful job. It is a great company and we are grateful, but it is always hard to leave "home". We have been in Windsor for 5 years and it feels more like home than any other place I've lived. The people here are so amazing. We felt like we were home right away. And the people here are so social....fun, fun, fun! How will I ever survive without them? God has placed us in many different neighborhood's throughout our lives, and we are always blessed to find so many great friends. I am going to stay positive, because I know I will stay in touch with these people for years to come! Thank you Windsor, I love you!

Take Care of Yourself!

I've been gone for awhile... had to go to California to help my family put our 91 year old stepmother in an assisted living facility. Talk about depressing...if you wonder what your future holds for you when you are elderly, spend some time in a nursing home. All I can say is that it is a scary dose of reality! I, for one, do not want to end up in one! So, here we go again....get fit and healthy and stay that way...and yoga! We need to have flexability, we have got to be able to move around, so get with it people...I am!

May 1, 2010!

Please don't tell me it's May 1, 2010!!!!
How did we get here? I think I am still somewhere in the 90's, missing the 80's and longing for the 70's.....Life goes on.
Embrace the day, forget the numbers...the date, my weight, my age, May 1, 2010. The first day of the rest of my life....:0)

The Marble Jar

Quite a few years back I read a story in a magazine about a women who used a marble jar to demonstrate to her children the power of prayer. Whenever she had a need for an answer to a prayer (usually something big) she would get out a mason jar, and a package of marbles. Every time she prayed about this particular request she would drop a marble in the jar. She also asked her family members to help her, each time someone said a prayer for this request they also would drop a marble. She said through this faith the answer always came before that marble jar became full!
I thought what a great example to show my children. So, I went to the dollar store and bought a bag of marbles, found a mason jar and began my mission. We were trying to sell our house at the time and needed to....It fell out of contract not once but twice, each time as we were packing, it was such a disappointment! We were getting a little desperate so out came the marble jar. I seriously gave it to God. Told Him I needed that house sold and that I could no longer handle the situation and put it in His hands. I told my husband and kids and told them to also pray about the house and if they did to drop a marble in the jar...you know the answer. We sold that house before that jar was full! And it wasn't the marbles, those were fun and a symbol, but the faith! We had faith and truly put it in His hands. Since then, I have only used the jar on very few occasions. Last Sept. I was looking for a job, with the situation of the economy and jobs scarce, I was having a hard time. Then I remembered the marble jar. Took it out, started really praying and giving it to Him....you know what happened, I don't think I had over ten marbles in that jar...a job!
So, here we are, in a pickle, Mike in Fort Worth, me here. Can't sell the house without losing. Maybe we should rent it. We have until July 1st before we have to start paying for a place in Fort Worth. We decided maybe we should rent the house here in CO. But I was so not wanting to, I kept praying about it, we still had not pursued it, no advertising, etc. Then my neighbor calls out of the blue, I may have someone to rent your house, are you interested? I still am in denial, well maybe. We let them look at the house, but then didn't hear back. You guessed it, out came the marble jar...God what do you want us to do? Sell, stay, rent, exactly 10 marbles later...our house is rented. It's Faith. It's finally trusting fully in God's will for us. We need to let it go and give it to Him. I have a hard time doing this. I always want to control the situation myself...why? Complete faith, and giving it to Him, that's when the answer comes. If you are in a place where you are struggling and don't know what to do, let it go, give it to Him, its in his hands anyway. If you need a marble jar get one.

Can't resist the urge to share....

This was forwarded to me via email from a close friend:

Moses said to the children of Israel, "Pick up your shovels, mount your asses and camels, and I will lead you to the promised land." Then about 75 years ago, Roosevelt said, "Lay down your shovels, sit on your asses, and light up a Camel, this is the promised land." Now Obama has stolen your shovel, taxed your asses, raised the price of Camels and bankrupted the promised land.

Forgot to mention.....

Did I mention? Still need to lose 20 lbs. :0)

Stick my head in the sand....

I want to stick my head in the sand....I now realize why my son hates change....he got it from me. I can roll with it, but I don't like it. I don't want to move, pack, quit, organize, say good by, not know where I'll be in 6 months, and go through all the other crap that goes along with change.....I want to wake up, make my coffee, and carry on my little life routine (well you can have my job) but everything else can stay the same. I need to embrace the change...it always works out and usually for the best. I think I am just in a funk. The only good thing about this change is that I am going to schedule in family time! My daughter, my sister, my step-mother.....miss them all so much! Okay, "change" bring it on! :)

Ugh!

Can't believe it has been almost 2 weeks since I have blogged...sorry to those of you who read this silly thing. But I love to blog, so I am going to try to get back on track.
Ugh, I am in such a funk....I miss Roxy, and have to get over it!
We are thinking of renting our house, my poor hubby is in Forth Worth, I guess I will have to join him...we have been holding on to the Colorado thing too long. Emmie's Hope is in the works, poor Clay is in a fix....where is his home? College is home, but summer is coming.....too much to deal with....aging parents, economy, moving, UGH! That's all I want to say.
But here's the deal, I need to be thankful. God is good, and always gives us His blessings and hope....Mike has a job, we have a home, we had Roxy for 8 great years....I am healthy, my kids are healthy, I have real friends that care about me.....so I must get my head out of the sand.....get back to the bright side and out of the dark...that Satan loves to throw us into....life goes on. :0)

Roxy

We lost our little Roxy this weekend. We had her for 8 years, she was a snuggle-bug, a friend, a watchdog, and our little buddy. The loss of a pet is hard because they are truly part of the family. When they are gone there is a void. I could talk all day about how much I miss her.....but life goes on. Our family was lucky to have her for eight years.

Two Menopausal Women on a Mission!

Okay, as most of you know we are starting a non-profit from the ground up.......its a very good cause. Helping young girls with self-esteem to help them avoid at-risk behaviors, etc.
We are two women on a mission. This is a very hard thing to do. We seriously work 24/7 on this deal. Not to mention trying to juggle other jobs, projects, family etc. There are days when I literally feel like I am losing my mind. Here is a typical conversation between Margo and I, you be the judge.
On our cell phone in the morning. "Are you picking me up at 8 or 9, I can't remember? I can't remember either, how about 8:30, perfect. Where are we going today? I can't remember. We have to go to mail and copy for more copies to drop off to the Loveland School District, but we did that yesterday, I know it was the wrong building, we have to go pick them up and drop them off at their other office, then why do we need more copies, because we are making packets to drop off at Longmont office also, oh yea. In the car driving, it is so nice out today, we need to get a walk in. You are right, lets drop these off, go for a walk and then go to Longmont tomorrow, okay. Where are we? I don't know, do you remember? We were here yesterday, but I can't remember. Don't ask me, I know, I'll call the district office and ask...Margo driving and dialing cell phone (a no no) I am looking around to see if anything looks familiar, no. After all that was yesterday, how can I remember that far back? Oh there it is, great. Okay, now where are we going, on a walk? Well we are running out of time...Do you have a pen, no do you? Where's my glasses? I don't know. Where are we going? For a walk. Oh yea. Do we have anything tomorrow scheduled? I don't know, do you have your planner, no. Margo searches her blackberry (while driving) oh here it is, one meeting at Loodles at 9:00. Okay, pick me up at 8:30, okay. She is now dropping me off, I say what time are you picking me up tomorrow? She says, we didn't go on a walk! Oh yea, let's check our emails and I'll come over in about an hour and we'll walk, okay. See you tomorrow! :( good grief!

A Devine Intervention

Okay, Emmie's Hope!
Yesterday started off a down day....we are holding this Women's Conference on May 1st. And ticket sales are slow, it is a huge expense and we do not want to start our new project in the red.
So we were at a local coffee shop (not our usual coffee place) and we never really feel good energy there, don't know why, but Loodles is our "Office"--always good energy there. (Christian energy):). Okay, so we discuss pulling the plug on this conference. Back up-we have been trying to get local colleges to approve this conference for continuing ed. credits for teachers who attend, total win/win. Think of all the teachers we could market! But not looking good, they are dragging their feet..., also looking for key advertising space in an awesome shopping area in Loveland-great advertising possibilities. Yea right, $$$$$. We have none. Okay, we decide to give it one more day, that's it, one more day. We leave and go home feeling a little frustrated. I check my email, from the shopping center, Okay Diane, can you have 2 40x50 posters made, we are going to give you two spots in our huge directories..oh, and no charge! Margo forwards me the sweetest email ever....Adams State....we have approved your conference for .5 CEU for teachers attending your conference!
Good Grief, why do we doubt. Jamie my niece told me when we started Emmie's Hope, since we were declaring ourselves "Faith-based" we would have obstacles in our way....Satan doesn't like us doing God's work...I am here to say, Satan was alive and well and trying to make us doubt yesterday. And we had doubt, he loved it. But guess what, God is on our side, HE was there for us! HE is awesome!
Keep the faith people, it's when you doubt that things become unclear...Oh yea, did I mention, we are on the biggest jumbo electronic sign on I-25! Advertising this conference? For free! Good grief! Note to self- QUIT DOUBTING!

I have to Journal...

Okay, as most of you know, Margo and I are starting a wonderful non-profit "Emmie's Hope" to help self-esteem in middle school age girls. It has been a wonderful, emotional, exhausting and meaningful experience all rolled into one. However, we have also had some very defining moments and some hilarious to say the least.
If you have ever done this kind of work you can relate!
Two days ago were at a local strip mall, went into the office to talk to their marketing person, she loved our idea, our mission, how can she help, yada yada. We are working on a few things, discounts for our women who attend our fundraiser conference, etc. She may be able to help with placing some posters for us, awesome.
We mention to her we are going across the way to the Outlet Mall. They have this new Mega Sign right on I-25, I'm talking huge! One of those computerized things, where info and events just keep running....Margo and I thought wouldn't it be great if we could advertise our conference on that, yea right. We mention this to this girl (who was great and helpful) but she says, "Yea, good luck with that" haha. I'm telling you....that's all it takes for us, one sarcastic remark (not even in a bad way) and if you think we can't, forget it...we will. Long story short, they approved us to be on the sign! They are also going to give us discount tickets for the women at the conference, sell tickets at their main office for us and put our little "Emmie's Hope" logo on the sign as well. So, our event will be continuously running on I-25 right up to May 1st! Don't mess with menopausal women on a mission!

Oprah, Ellen, Bonnie

Oprah, Bonnie, Ellen,
Are you reading your facebook comments? Or your emails? We have been writing to you. We need your help for Emmie's Hope! Margo and I have been posting on their facebook and emailing their shows to see if we can get a response! Too funny, I think we have a one in a million shot....but it could happen. So if anyone out there knows these girls, can you put in a good word for us?

Teenage girls...

I know I'm in my 50's, but I'd like to think I'm a little more "with it" than some. I know teenagers have issues, are having sex, are making wrong decisions, they did the same thing when I was one. However, here is the deal......I don't remember kids middle school and even younger battling these issues...I played Barbie until 8Th grade, rode my bike and hung out with my girlfriends. Boys were not really around much... more of a high school thing. But doing all this research the passed few months for "Emmie's Hope" I've come to realize all these issues and problems our girls face are coming at a much younger age. Here's the deal, 16 and 17 year olds have a tough time handling sex, drugs, alcohol, depression, etc. Can you even imagine how a 13 year old handles it? Facts show that the earlier a child engages in these at-risk behaviors, especially sex, the more likely they will be at risk for depression. Not just depression for a short time, but a life long battle with depression....it is heart wrenching. There are so many reasons and issues that lead to this mess...but peer pressure is alive and well in 2010. If you are not sure how to help, one thing you can do is boycott products that sponsor TV, movies, and magazines that target young kids with all this crap...start by doing something, even if it's small, you can donate or volunteer. Do something positive to help a young person...they are our future.

Comfort Food :)

Okay, I really thought I could lose 20 lbs easy......since Mike is in Fort Worth and Clay at college. I don't have to cook for anyone but myself. Perfect, I'll eat really healthy and those pounds will just drop off...wrong. Why is it I feel a need to eat fettucine, mac n' cheese, cookies.....finally realized what it was, comfort food.... hmmmm...wonder what my next excuse will be? :(

Greetings!

Hey People!
I am still alive! When you decide to start a non-profit (or any business for that matter) you better have time and patience! It is exhausting and exciting! We are learning so much everyday.....and we have come so far. Very fun to see this whole process unfold.
Meanwhile, Mike is in Fort Worth....ugh! We are very blessed that he has a new position with his company, they are great.....pray for the economy, pray for housing prices.....maybe we can sell our house one day, :)
Meanwhile, one day at a time....and focus on the good, we have much to be thankful for! over and out.....grooveymom

Emmie's Hope!

Life is good.....We published our Emmie's Hope website today!
God is so good. This has been a remarkable journey, still so much to do, but just watching the video on the site....gives me such hope and encouragement that we are on the right path. What could be more precious than our little girls...our future, their future! Check it out! www.emmieshope.org

Wow! January 20th? Already?

Today is my cute hubby's birthday.....I cannot believe it is the
20th already!
"Emmie's Hope" is in full swing......we are doing our homework and evolving as we go...have met amazing people! We will focus on 7th and 8th grade girls....help get them ready for High School. Self-esteem and confidence! That is the key! Helping our future, our community, and building strong successful girls, what could be better! More to come.....

Sorry!

Sorry! I have been soooo busy, have not had time to blog! I have been working hard on my new project! We are almost official! I am starting a non-profit with my pal Margo. "Emmie's Hope" (named after Margo's 6 year old daughter).
EMMIE’S HOPE
CHANGING THE WORLD ONE GIRL AT A TIME
LEAVING A LEGACY

We are planning to start a non-profit focusing on young women the ages of 13-18.
Our Mission would be to build self-esteem, and encourage positive emotional, social, mental and spiritual development for young women. Focusing on their strengths and assets to help them build leadership qualities, resist peer pressure and decrease high risk behavior. Our measurable outcomes would be to have a higher rate of high school completion, and improve the rate of high school graduates into college admissions.
We are so fortunate to have the blessings of many influential people in our community......there is so much to tell you....I will keep you posted.......

IT'S 2010!

I don't think I ever thought I would say that....2010! How the heck did we get to 2010.....its down right depressing. I don't want it to be 2010. I want it to be 1995....a great year, Chels was 9 and Clay was 4. We were living in Tucson (in my favorite house ever) but moved to Grass Valley.....where we met awesome friends, found an awesome place to raise our awesome kids on an awesome 20 acres....did I say awesome.....life was good, love my kids that age, I would jump back to that time in my life right now if I could. (and a time when I only needed to lose 5 pounds).....but....here we are, 2010! 20 lbs...kids grown, country in economic mess......but I can still say life is good, married almost 30 years! good. Great kids! good. New son-in-law! good. Live in Colorado! good. Great friends here! good. It's these damn 20 lbs......I have got to get rid of them! 2010, this is the year! If I don't do it now, I will buy a moo moo and just start eating. Then I can get on "Biggest Loser" and become famous......Happy 2010!

Happy New Year!

Okay, another year down....welcome 2010!
Once again time for new year's resolutions.......
I hate to publicly announce these, as I usually fall short....but you have to try..here goes:
Lose 20 lbs. (broken record)
Eat healthy, get healthy, be healthy, live healthy!
Pray and give thanks MORE!
Get financially healthy!
Always be ready for new things and new opportunities.
Be kinder, more understanding and never stop learning!
Oh, and did I mention....lose 20 lbs.??????
Good luck with your resolutions......make them and try to do them, failure is if you don't try.....