The Countdown Is On

I deserve to be praised a little today. I have deliberately held my tongue when it comes to gloating about my upcoming trip to Mexico. I really have been excited but nothing compares to the euphoria I felt before we went to Holbox back in January.

However, I have held back and spared everyone long enough.

Officially, as of today, I have 13 days left before we depart for a week at an all-inclusive resort in Cancun, Mexico.

Unlimited drinks. Unlimited sun. Unlimited relaxation. Life will be good.

One of the things that I am looking forward to the most is the Couples Moonlight Massage on the beach using hot lava shells! Holy crap! That is gonna be like heaven on earth!

Here is a sneak peak at our resort.

Please. Don't be a hater.

Dirty Little Secret

I am confessing this morning. I have been sucked into a new obsession. No, it's not shoes, make up or purses this time. It's coupon clipping!

I feel like I have been in a cave all of my life now that I have seen how much money you can actually save. Remember, I am Greek and we looooove a good deal.

There really isn't much to it. It's primarily all about knowing when to use your coupons. My long time friend, Amy, from Facebook actually turned me on to this when she posted that she purchased $194.61 of product from CVS and Walgreen's and only paid $14.92 for it all. Who's eye wouldn't that catch? I immediately wanted to know her secret. Amy actually attended a workshop from a lady that goes around and teaches others the basics of it all.

Even if you aren't in the south, you can get lots of information on how to get started from the Southern Savers website.

After a few days of thinking about my typical grocery shopping process, I decided that the coupon binder may work the best for me. I'll try it and keep everyone posted as to how it is working for me in addition to some of the savings that I intend on having.

Here is a preliminary view of how I will get it all organized. I still have to make the tab dividers, but ya'll get the big picture.

Way Back Wednesday

For those who love me and put up with hearing the stories of my family every day; you will understand and relate to this show.

I am simply exhaused from the visit to the doctor with my dad today and this was the picture that came to mind.

Let Your Voice Be Heard

Happy Monday.

I was unsure of what to post about today. I had several small events occur over the weekend but decided that I would try to remain uplifting for the entire week. Those small things are really trivial in the big scheme of things.

I attended a ladies conference on Saturday. This conference was sponsored by our church and the topic was Stand Up & Go Forward. To be honest, this retreat was not at all "gender specific." The topic could really apply to all of our lives at one time or another.

One of our main discussions was about getting rid of the bondage in our lives - past and present. Bondage within us keeps us from moving forward and doing what we were intended to do. It's the ball-n-chain on our spirit.

Even more powerful is the fact that bondage prevents us from holding our head high and using the good of our lives to work in a positive manner with others.

Chef Ed and I have talked a lot about legacy's lately. I expressed to him how important it was for me to leave this world making a mark on someones heart. I want other's to remember me for the love and kindness that I had shown them. I want to be a giving soul willing to do the extreme for someone else even if it meant sacrificing my own needs a wants for a while.

Do you know Mary Sue Merchant? Have you ever heard of her?

Well, neither do I. But, right now, I'm gonna introduce you to her.

Mary Sue Merchant died of natural caused in a tightly locked house on 25 acres in a small community, with only a dog for company. Her small town is now reflecting on why no one noticed for 18 months.

No one knew the reclusive widow was gone - not even when the house was sold for back taxes while her decomposing body lay inside. Sometime later, the lonely dog died of thirst in the same room.

"We didn't know this lady existed," said the Sheriff.

Only after the body of this 72-year old woman was found last week did it occur to neighbors they hadn't seen her in a while.

"We've lost the community," said the Rev. Neil Flowers, who planned to talk about Merchant on Sunday at Beulah United Methodist church, a few miles from where Merchant died. "We do our own thing. We lead busy lives. We go and go and go.....and stay within our comfort zone."

By all means, Merchant and her husband kept to themselves. They had no children. The sheriff and coroner say one neighbor told them David Merchant was once a prison guard who feared retribution from former inmates - but officials couldn't confirm that. David Merchant died in October 1985 at age 53 and his widow apparently lost touch with her own older sister years ago.

Mail should have been a red flag. But Merchant had a post office box, so no mail piled up for neighbors or a carrier to notice. Her electricity was cut off in February 2008 after three months of unpaid bills.

Meanwhile, the brick ranch home sat partly obscured by trees and brush from the road. Merchant's white four-door Chevy parked in front and a faded "Beward of Dog" sign on a telephone pole.

Merchant's unpaid property taxes lead to her discovery.

It's sad to know that this lady had nobody who cared enough to check on her.

She had no voice. She had no encouragement. She had no respect.

I encourage you to reach out. Make your mark and in the end, long to hear the words, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

No other words will ever give such pleasure.

I've Been Inspired

Mary, over at Fightin Mad Mary & Q, has inspired me since she joined a boot camp class out in LA. She's pretty neat - go over and see what progress she's made. Her reason for doing this was because she was nominated for the Emmy Creative Arts Award and she wants to be a hottie in a cool dress. I will side note that going to Cancun in three weeks has also been a small factor in getting my fannie to the gym.

I rejoined the gym this week and hit it pretty hard a couple of times. I debated joining Chef Ed's gym but decided that it may not be a good idea if we wanted our relationship to continue to remain strong. His ideas are different than mine and I can foresee a big, huge fight in the works if that were to take place.

Anyway, I will start doing some interval training next week. Interval training is a type of physical training that involves bursts of high intensity work. This high intensity work is alternated with periods of rest or low activity (the intervals in interval training). We will see how it works out.

As for now, I'm tired and I'm glad it's Friday!

Have a great weekend!

Sigh A Deep Sigh

I'm going to post twice today so please forgive me.

I've had a busy morning already. I got up early, came to work, met my mom and dad for my mom's eye surgery, and now I am back at work again.

Man, I feel like I have already worked an 8 hour day.

First, I want to give a shout out to a new blog that I follow - Live from the 205. It's a story about a woman who's world has been turned upside down after the loss of her husband/soul mate. I *shudder* at the thought of losing a spouse but I can relate to the loss of someone that you love in general. I feel her pain and she brings tears to my eyes every time I read her blog. After the loss of my brother, I know how people actually grieve themselves to death.

Second, my mom had eye surgery this morning. She had a cataract removed and had lasik. In two weeks, she will have the other eye done. I was glad I could scoot away from work for a few hours and be with her even though the surgery was noninvasive.

Last, I heard from the my way-ward eldest daughter yesterday. Remember, the one that is living with her dad because she didn't like my rules and I was too strict, and so on and so on??
Well, she started school at another high school yesterday. She had a successful first day with the exception of lunch where she had to sit by herself because she didn't know anyone. Gawd....that broke my heart into pieces and I spent the rest of the night crying my eyes out about it. Poor Chef Ed. That man has taken the brunt of my drama in the last 9 months. I swear I will make it up to you one day when you are old and I decide not to put you in a nursing home. (big smile....)

Today, I feel somewhat emotionally refreshed. I am hitting the gym after work and after leaving from there, I am going straight to church. You got it. Gym shorts and all. The Lord doesn't care what I look like and if the people at church do, then they will have to get over it.

Anyway, I will leave you with my Words of Wisdom for the day:

Dream no small dreams for they have no power to move the hearts of men. Think BIG!

Have a great day!

Way Back Wednesday

Sorry I bailed out on Way Back Wednesday last week but my life was crazy busy. I will resume entertainment today.

Tin Lunch Boxes: ...and I had a thermos to match. You know, the kind that had the glass lining inside? More times than once, I can remember getting to school and during lunch, opening my thermos to find the glass had shattered with my drink inside. Those lunches that my mom made were the best ever!