25 things on a Tuesday because I did not have time to do this on Monday…

1.  Today I just want to go back home and hide under my covers.

2.  We are going up to Central Lake this weekend.

3.  Secretly I really wish I could get out of this.

4.  There is so much to do and the house is not even decorated yet.

5.  Although I know our parents are not getting any younger and we need to spend more time with them.

6.  I’m seriously feeling very “bah-humbug” today.

7.  I need to lift up my chin, put on a ravishing smile and suck it up. 

8.  I’d say pour myself a little cocktail but I’m at work and they may frown upon that idea.

9.  Stopping after work today to get a seriously overdue manicure.

10.  Also need to find time to stop at Macy’s to pick up Ray’s birthday present.

11.  His birthday is Saturday…..and he is so not a birthday person.

12.  Please don’t publicly post on his Facebook wall on Saturday, he doesn’t like that.

13.  Private messages are acceptable. 

14.  Only 12 more working days of 2014 for me!  Weeeeee……………….

15.  I’m really looking forward to having time off and a few of those days to myself.

16.  Will someone please come smack me upside the head and snap me out of this mood today?

17.  Am I the only one who is in awe of the fact that it’s December?

18.  I do not recall a year ever flying by as fast as this one.

19.  Is this a sign that we are old and time will continue to fly by this fast?

20.  Why is it that some days you wake up and feel like you just want to cry?

21.  And then I feel guilty because even with everything that is going on in my life I don’t work the gazillion hours that our lovely Tena does.

22.  Well I can see that this post is not a very uplifting one.  :P

23.  Sorry ladies, promise I will do better next time.

24.  O’ Holy Night by Josh Groban can bring me to tears every single time.

25.  Today I will remind myself how blessed I am to have each of you in my life.  <3 ,3

Changing it up this week since Thanksgiving is this Thursday.  So today I bring you:

25 things I am Thankful for (in no particular order)…

1.  A 3 day work week…….weeeeeeee!   Does that mean today would be considered Monday-Wednesday?  J

2.  Grateful I am gainfully employed with benefits and a generous salary.

3.  Parents…..blessed that both mine and Ray’s are still on this earth.

4.  Siblings….well all 8 of them!  I love that I have such a huge dysfunctional family.  J  Ray is still adjusting to such a large family.  Lol….

5.  Children…our big family of blended children, doesn’t get any better than that.

6.  Grandchildren…well what can you say, they are truly God’s gift and I love them all dearly.

7.  The Lovelies….what would I do without you?  There are no words to describe how much you mean to me and how grateful I am that we are together, y’all are truly a blessing.

8.  Friends…how blessed I am to have so many wonderful, kind, loving, funny, caring, remarkable new and old friends in my life.

9.  My husband…my life has changed so much since 2012.  I am grateful for my wonderful loving husband.   In the beginning tried to persuade him that he didn’t want to get involved with me, boy am I glad he didn’t listen.  J

10.  Lorraine joining us for Thanksgiving dinner this year.  J

11.  Small business Saturday shopping with Tena…….hoping this will continue to become an annual event.

12.  Home…whether it is the house I live in or the State of Michigan, nothing warms my heart more than being home. 

13.  The lake house up north….it has been in our family for close to 60 years, it’s our bloodline, its where so many memories reside.  I love that house.

14.  Co-workers…I have been truly blessed to work with, past and present, so many remarkable people.  The bonus is that a majority of them may no longer be a co-worker, but we are still friends.

15.  Coffee….oh how do I describe this wonderful love affair with coffee.  J  lol….

16.  My health…grateful for every single day that I am healthy and alive.

17.  My dog Teddy…I rescued him many, many years ago and I’m happy he is still with me.

18.  Pinterest…yes Pinterest, if it wasn’t for Pinterest I would not have discovered chalk paint.  J

19.  Facebook…for bringing so many amazing people into my computer, my life and in my heart.

20.  Shoes…ok did you really think I would complete this list without mentioning shoes?  Lol…

21.  Grateful for a husband who LOVES to grocery shop! 

22.  I am thankful that my idea of doing the Toys for Tots campaign at work is turning out to be a huge success.  

23.  Grateful for the ability to wake up every morning and make the decision to be happy and to try to bring a little bit of happiness to wherever my day may lead me.

24.  I am grateful that I am at the age where I do not “sweat the small stuff”.  Some people learn this sooner than others, it doesn’t matter when you figured it out, it just matters that you do.

25.  And last but not least I can say that I am so very thankful and truly blessed, although life has not always been easy, it is my life and I am extremely happy for everything I have experienced, learned, loved, lost….but most importantly I am grateful for all of these experiences because they have helped to get to where I am today. 

25 Things on a Tuesday…

1.  Its Tuesday for the 25 things, way too busy yesterday.

2.  I don’t work insane hours like my lovely friend Tena, but I have been a whole lot busier at work lately.

3.  No complaints here….I prefer to be busy, it energizes me.   

4.  What a crazy weekend it was, glad that’s over.

5.  I’m eating the other half of my tuna wrap for breakfast this morning.  J

6.  Oatmeal or yogurt just wasn’t cutting it for me today.

7.  We decided to paint one wall in our dining room to be “Symphony”, it’s a dark purple/plum.

8.  There will also be two more accent colors, more neutral.

9.  Not sure why this combo struck me the way it did…..cannot wait to actually see it.

10.  And the chandelier from the now dining room will move into the new dining room.   

11.  Now I just need to find new colors for the now dining room/kitchen and family room.

12.  I really dislike the colors and have no idea what I was thinking when we painted last year.

13.  And I found the color for the master bedroom too.

14.  Hoping to get a big chunk of the painting done this weekend.

15.  We do plan on removing the carpet from the bedrooms too.

16.  I’m pretty sure all the floor work will take place after the holidays.

17.  Speaking of holidays…….wow, Thanksgiving is next week!!

18.  Before we know it Christmas will be here……yikes!

19.  I’m almost done with filling out the Christmas cards.  J

20.  They will be complete and stamped this week ready to go out after December 1. 

21.  At least that is one thing I can cross of my “Christmas To-Do” list. 

22.  I really need to figure out what I want to get Ray for his birthday and Christmas.

23.  We will be up north for his actual birthday visiting with the in-laws.

24.  Our 2 year anniversary of our first date is this Thursday.

25.  We will return to the scene of the crime……Tom’s Oyster Bar.  J  

25 Things on a Monday…

1.  I think I am still recuperating from Saturday. 

2.  Want to go home and sleep on the couch all afternoon.  :/

3.  And yes I am whining that this is a 5 day work week. 

4.  Wonder how many times I have said I am never drinking again in the course of my life.

5.  Yesterday marked my 5 year anniversary at BAE Systems.

6.  I get to pick out a $100 gift card for a service award.

7.  Now question is do I pick out a gift card for something fun and frivolous or practical?

8.  Right now I am leaning towards the frivolous and going with Pottery Barn.

9.  Where the frivolous would be the Eiffel Tower Christmas Tree Topper.  J

10.  Now the question is do I really want and/or need it?

11.  Another idea in the frivolous category would be faux fur mink, fox or chinchilla throw.

12.  I’m seriously leaning towards that idea.

13.  Or go with Williams-Sonoma and buy something for Ray.

14.  As you can tell I think the ADD is kicking in again.

15.  Seriously can I go home and take a nap?

16.  Definitely plan on making some of the chocolate covered Oreo’s soon.

17.  So much to do and so little time…where to start?

18.  We have less than 45 day’s until Christmas.

19.  You know that time is going to fly by faster than the speed of light.

20.  I’m still getting used to writing my new name.

21.  Need to find that perfect way to set off my signature.

22. I loved the flow of my signature with my old last name.

23.  Although I do love my new last name more.  J

24.  The B just doesn’t flow as well as the Z did.

25.  Pretty pathetic that I spend so much time worrying and practicing my signature.  Lol…

25 Things on a Monday……..

1.  How did it get to be November already?

2.  Is this year flying by fast or is it just me?

3.  So many blogs and so little time.

4.  This is really getting serious……I am going to need a “blog intervention”.  J

5.  Reading so many blogs is not always a good thing.

6.  And the photography skills on these people too…..amazing.

7.  These witty, intelligent, crafty and amazing women can make you feel extremely inadequate.

8.  Then again my amazing, intelligent and extremely talented husband makes me feel inadequate.

9.  Apparently I not only didn’t get the hair and make-up gene, I didn’t get the amazing gene either.

10.  It is my job to come up with a cocktail recipe for Saturday.

11.  Wish I could wiggle my nose and the entire inside of the house would be painted.

12.  And done by Saturday.  J

13.  And it would look like all the blog photos I like on Pinterest.

14.  I’m on the fence whether to go see Catching Fire Part 1.

15.  Bothers me that they are splitting the third book into 2 parts.

16.  And part 2 will not be released until November 20, 2015.

17.  Coming up with nothing for my parents for Christmas.  L

18.  What do you buy when they already have 2 of everything?

19.  That’s it starting tomorrow I am giving up sugar…..I need to do something.

20.  So what does work for women that are over 50 and find themselves gaining weight.

21.  It’s just not fair…..how are we going to feel ‘fierce and fabulous’ if our clothes don’t fit?? 

22.  I’m certain Catwoman wouldn’t feel so fierce or fabulous going thru menopause.

23.  Or even Wonder Woman for that matter.

24.  Is it too much to ask to look like Thelma (aka Susan Sarandon) instead of Thelma from Scooby-Doo?

25.  Tonight I open up my “Blogging for Dummies” book and see if I can figure out  the big “blogosphere world” out there. 

25 Things on a Monday…

1.  My sinus/allergies are working overtime today.  L

2.  How on earth did it get to be the last week of October?

3.  Can someone please make it stop…..even for just a bit?

4.  I’m getting very bored with Facebook.

5.  And I wonder what the next “Facebook”, “Pinterest” or “Instagram”will be….lol.

6.  Seriously I could put my head down on my desk right now and go to sleep. 

7.  So my thoughts that started on a Monday carried on into Tuesday.

8.  And no it wasn’t because I put my head down on my desk and took a nap.  J

9.  Although with the rain today I would love to be curled up on my couch watching a Sex and The City marathon.

10.  Need to go outing looking for a used floor lamp. 

11.  One of the three chandeliers I have recently acquired will get mounted on the floor lamp.

12.  Pretty excited about getting this new project underway.

13.  I’m certain my husband would appreciate it if I would finish a few other projects before starting another one.

14.  He doesn’t complain about it, but if he did I could always use his phrase “that’s how I roll”.  Lol……..

15.  My daughters and grand-daughters are coming over Thursday to carve pumpkins.

16. Pretty excited about having Amanda and Sophia home this year for the holidays.

17.  I only have 33 more “working” days until our Christmas break.

18.  Sorry Tena dear…….I know you work mad crazy hours and really could use a long holiday break too.

19.  If I keep repeating to myself today that I am going to win the $252 million jackpot from Mega Millions do you think it will happen?

20.  Can't hurt to try right?

21.  My Toys for Tots presentation to the Employee Activity Committee went very well yesterday.

22.  I’m pretty stoked about that.

23.  Now I get to present it to the VP on Friday for his stamp of approval.

24.  The Mockingjay, Part 1 movie comes out next month.

25.  I’m torn on whether to go see it or wait until it comes out on DVD.

25 things on a Monday……….

1.   Or should I say “25 things on a Monday-Tuesday”.  
2.   It’s my 4 day work week…..oh how I love 4 day work weeks.
3.   Chobani blueberry Greek yogurt is very tart.
4.   My favorite is Dannon pomegranate Greek yogurt.
5.   Pretty much love anything pomegranate.
6.   Upon returning home from dinner Friday night I did not leave my house again until this morning.
7.   It was absolutely wonderful!
8.   Would love to have a Christmas cookie exchange this year.
9.   Geeked up for my Gourmet Caramel Apple class tomorrow night.
10.  Guess what everyone is getting for Christmas.  lol…..
11.  I am seriously considering the Paleo diet.
12.  Which means I would need to give up Greek yogurt.
13.  If it means I will lose weight and feel better, then so be it.
14.  Giving up refined sugar and grains cannot be a bad thing.
15.  Our facilities manager is an ASS.
16.  I feel better getting that out.
17.  Re-reading this list I guess the giving up refined sugars and a Gourmet Caramel Apple Class/Christmas cookie exchange defeats each other.
18.  Perhaps I should start this new eating plan the first of the year.
19.  Need to find some new motivational quotes for the ugly grey cubical walls I sit in every day!
20.  Something very colorful too.
21.  We are going to a Halloween party this year and dressing up!
22.  I haven’t done that in eons……really looking forward to it.
23.  Today is the day I can finally order my new phone.
24.  Even though it will take up to a month to get here I think I will just go with the iPhone 6 plus.
25.  Oops, I forgot to make the usual Sunday morning call to mom…….I better get on that now.

25 things on a Monday…

1.  I love the new West Elm store in Birmingham.

2.  Wonder if they would object if I moved in. 

3.  Had a very full weekend with my kids/grandkids.

4.  That should last me for a while I need a break from them.  Lol….

5.  I can feel the sinus/allergy crap trying to take over my head.

6.  It will not beat me.

7.  Getting my flu shot tomorrow.

8.  Seriously leaning towards the iPhone 6 plus as my new phone.

9.  The thought of learning how to operate a new phone sounds exhausting to me.

10.  At least with the iPhone I pretty much already know how it operates.

11.  Does this mean I am getting old?

12.  Or does it say I’m getting old and I don’t like change?

13.  Who knew making a decision on a new phone could lead to life thoughts. 

14.  I was selected and asked to be a part of the Employee Activity Committee.

15.  Our first meeting is today at 1:00.

16.  I’m pretty excited about this and hope it’s a huge success.

17.  It is really hard to believe we are into the middle of October.

18.  Where did this year go?

19.  Really looking forward to being home for Thanksgiving and Christmas this year.

20.  Went to Mississippi for Christmas in 2012 and for Thanksgiving in 2013. 

21.  Bonus was we got to see the wonderful Christine on our way down in 2013.

22.  Theme for this year……there is no place like home for the Holiday’s 2014.

23.  Already started making lists, lots of lists, for Christmas.

24.  Still want to pick up a pair or two of the “smoking flat” from Nine West.

25.  Now I’m getting into flats……what in the heck is happening?????

25 things…....
1. I cannot seem to keep my glasses clean. 
2. Seriously, how do they get so dirty sitting on the nightstand overnight?
3. We are tossing around the idea of turning either the living room or family room into a formal dining room.
4. We never use the living room, so it would be nice to actually utilize it.
5. Definitely want a rustic farmhouse table with great chairs.
6. There are more days than not that I wonder why my husband choose me……I am not that outdoorsy girl.
7. I need a manicure in the worst way.
8. Ok, need a pedicure too.
9. Tonight is my last excel class.
10. Hope I can fit in looking at new phones this week, my contract is up and it’s time to get a new and LARGER phone.
11. Cannot wait to go to the new West Elm store that just opened in Birmingham.
12. They are having a “Holiday How to Class” on Saturday from 10-12 pm.
13. Not sure what it includes but I’m signing up……anyone want to join me?
14. I really do not feel like working today.
15. Want to play hooky and go shopping.
16. Dying to go nail polish shopping……it’s time for some great reds, wines and fall colors.
17. Again, I think I need a “Pinterest/Fixer Upper/Blog” intervention.
18. We still have yet to turn the heat on at home……stretching it out as much as possible.
19. I heard they are making a Sex and the City 3.
20. Wondering what it would be about…..menopause/aging.
21. Amanda was offered a job at Beaumont, she is going to try and do both jobs.
22. So both my girls went from not working to both are now working 2 jobs.
23. Is that “like mother like daughter”?
24. It’s stupid that they want to remove swing sets from playgrounds.
25. Need to schedule some girlfriend time.