Love

I know Im not such a great blogger. But my friend Angel is inspiring me to get started and keep going. So here Im attempting it again. I have something special for this post.


Today is To Write Love On Her Arms Day.
(taken from their facebook)
"To Write Love on Her Arms is a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. TWLOHA exists to encourage, inform, inspire and also to invest directly into treatment and recovery.
To Write Love On Her Arms Day is a day where anyone can write the words love on their arms, to support those who are fighting against depression and those who are trying to recovering. On this day, just write love on your arms, and show it off, other people will ask why you have love written on your arms, and you tell them you are supporting to write love on her arms day, and how its benefiting a non profit organization helping stop depression, and make love the movement"

Angel posted some statistics in her post HERE. Ive decided to post warning signs of Depression. If you or anyone you know is suffering please get to a doctor. It's not something to be ashamed of. So many of us are suffering or have suffered. Take it from someone who knows. Those cold dark places you find yourself in constantly isn't all there is.

WARNING SIGNS:
Changes in Activity or Energy Level

* Decreased energy
* Fatigue
* Lethargy
* Diminished activity
* Insomnia or hypersomnia
* Loss of interest in pleasurable activities
* Social withdrawal

Physical Changes Caused by Depression

* Unexplained aches and pains
* Weight loss or gain
* Decreased or increased appetite
* Psychomotor agitation or retardation

Emotional Pain of Depression

* Prolonged sadness
* Unexplained, uncontrollable crying
* Feelings of guilt
* Feelings of worthlessness
* Loss of self-esteem
* Despair
* Hopelessness
* Helplessness

Difficult Moods Associated with Depression

* Irritability
* Anger
* Worry/anxiety
* Pessimism
* Indifference
* Self-critical

Changes in Thought Patterns due to Depression

* Inability to concentrate
* Indecision
* Memory problems
* Disorganized

Preoccupation with Death

* Thoughts of death
* Suicidal ideation
* Feeling dead or detached


At my house we are showing our support. I even got my kids participating. I explained to my 7 year old that its to support people who are having a difficult time and who are suffering quietly so she was all for it. After doing her arm my 3 year old had to do it just because everyone else did lol (Pictures to come later of that) But here is mine:



Now write it, snap it & upload it!!!

Music

Like most people Im so addicted to music, for every mood, every emotion, every thought I can always find a song to portray it for me. So Im going to start featuring a song here, video whatever I can find. This one is becoming pretty popular and Ive loved it since the first time I heard it. Theres not much I can say about this one, it speaks for itself...


(Angels On The Moon - Thriving Ivory)

Get Creative

Recently I have become addicted to a show on DIY network called Creative Juice. So today Im showing you a craft project they did, its for an indoor water fountain! I just love these things. You can find the complete instructions and a video showing how its done. Pretty quick and simple but very nice!
Have fun creating your new fountain!

Bit of Motivation

I dont have much prepared for today. Im already proving to be a slacker. Things are still crazy busy. I have decided that each day I will be picking out a quote to post even if I dont have a full post planned. So without further ado:


People become really quite remarkable when they start thinking that they can do things. When they believe in themselves they have the first secret of success.
-Norman Vincent Peale

A Time For Change

No, this post isnt going to be political. I promise. I know Ive been neglecting the blog lately and I apologize. Im determined to keep it going this time around. I want to start off on the right foot and in doing so Im going to be sharing with you. Things I dont normally share with anyone. Im doing this in hopes of maybe helping someone out there and maybe keeping myself motivated.
Almost every single year on January 1st we all make resolutions that we usually break in the first weeks. This year its going to be different. How? We're not doing resolutions this year. We're making goals. Multiple short term goals to reach a larger long term goal. My goal this year is to get myself on the right track. My main goal is weight control.
As I was talking to a dear friend of mine the other day I shared things with her that I have never shared with anyone else. Until now. Im going to share that with you in hopes that someone out there who might happen to read this can relate (not that I would wish this on anyone) but in being able to relate they can get some inspiration out of it.
Im not a small person. Im not even medium. I dont think mcdonalds even serves anything in my size! All joking aside though, I have come to see myself as others see me. Not for what qualities I have or what I could possibly have to offer people. Im not invisible. Far the opposite. People dont see me for me, they see me as the fat chick that should be ashamed to leave home. Sure enough, its true. I hate being stuck at home, but at the same time I am ashamed to go outside. I usually go through everything in my closet before deciding on something that makes me feel like I can blend into the crowd.
A while back I found myself in a thrift shop. I was looking for things I could use my crafty ideas on for our new home we had just bought. I have a serious addiction to books. I came across a massive selection of books so I had to stop and see what all was there. I had found a whole arm load of books and found myself squating almost sitting on the floor to look through the bottom shelves. I was in my own little word, I honestly cant remember having a care in the world at that particular point. Just as quickly as it started, it ended. Behind me I heard a couple teenage girls whispering and laughing. I dont know what they were whispering about but a sense of embarassment and shame took over me. I felt like they were whispering about me. Laughing at me. I quickly got up, gathered up my books and headed for the register. I quickly checked out and left the store.
Last December, I found myself needing an outfit desperately in very very short notice. I had a wedding I needed to attend later that afternoon. I checked multiple shops and made a last stop at Wal-Mart. Blaine was with me and trying to help me find something quickly so we could get back and get ready. Not a single store had anything in my size. I got so frustrated that I found my eyes filling with tears. I tried my best to hide it as I passed people coming into the store as I was leaving, empty handed.
Ive been rejected, laughed at, whispered about and disregarded so much I am now doing it to myself. I find myself at times ashamed for my own husband to see any part of me. No matter how much he tells me he loves me or that Im perfect just the way I am or any other compliment, I cant take it. I dont see it. I dont believe it. Im tired. Im tired of being so down on myself and Im tired of being a joke to everyone. Tired of everyone telling me Im bigger than they are. Giving me things because they have lost weight and it no longer fits, so lets give it to the fat chick!
As I was talking to my friend and telling her these things, she had one thing to say that truly stuck out to me, more so than anything else. "Do something about it". So I'm doing it. Starting now. And I hope that as I write you will find that if you are in this position too, you will know you arent alone. That you can do this. We'll do it together.
So if you want to get healthy, make the call to your doctor and get a checkup. Talk with your doctor about starting a routine for lifestyle changes. This isnt a diet so dont think of it as such.

There are many other things to come to this blog as well, so there will be something for everyone, I hope, if anyone ever comes across it to read! lol and just for the record, Kelly...thank you!

Rednecks & Beer

There just isnt words to describe this! I dont know whether to laugh or hang my head in shame! Aint no wonder people call us rednecks!

Mommy Meals

If you are anything like me you love something quick and simple, yet good! So Im going to start doing these Mommy Meal recipe posts. A lot of these will be things Ive found online or in my books but mostly things Ive just whipped together last minute.
On another note, most all recipes you find in these posts will not have exact measurements so add what you think you would like based on each ingredient.

Spicy Italian BBQ (Chops)
- pack of boneless porkchops
- Honey BBQ Sauce
- Soy Sauce
- Spices: Crushed Red Pepper, Soul Seasoning, Garlic/Salt/Pepper, Chicken & Rib Rub,
Italian Seasoning, Onion Powder
- OPTIONAL: onions, green peppers, tomatoes

Put all your chops in a large baking dish. Cover each one with the honey bbq sauce. Add enough water to the pan to just barely cover the chops. Add about 1-1.5 tsp of soy sauce. Layer all your spices (about half to 1 tsp each). Cook at 400 degrees for about 1 hour if frozen. 400 degrees for about 30 minutes if thawed

We are serving the Spicy Italian BBQ with baked potatoes and parmesan noodles from Pasta-Roni just follow directions on the box.