These are a few of my favorite things...

Things to keep me warm...

Things to help relax...

Things for my office...

Things to cherish...


Thank you family, friends and Es for a wonderful Christmas.

Do you regift?

I found this t-shirt at Target several years ago and thought of Linda right away. I just thought it was funny. I love the recycle symbol! I bought her and I each one.

I will admit I have regifted. I have only done it a few times. My dear friend Linda isn't ashamed to say she regifts. It is usually candles that she will regrift. She's a candle snob and if it isn't a Yankee candle she usually will not burn it. She gets alot of candles too and well you can't burn them all. I think that is what I have regifted in the past.

I don't think there is anything wrong with regifting and don't regift something ugly!
I have never regifted anything from my family or friends but if I have received something from someone who I didn't know well for whatever reason, I'm sure I have regifted that item. Always make a mental note of who got you what so you don't give it back. Also, don't regift something that you know the other person might end up seeing, like if you are in the same group of friends. I have seen with my very own eyes a gift of mine be regifted. I'm pretty sure it was a gift I had given. It was unique. No names or what the item was or when it happened in my life will be shared. When I saw this I was in shock for about 30 minutes and then I had to laugh it off. I really laughed it off when I got in my car on the way home. I did think at one point I was going to cry but I didn't. I just laughed and laughed. Too bad I didn't have my t-shirt on that day. All I have to say is regift responsibly!

Do you regift?

Not sure...

what to write about...

It's the eve of Christmas Eve. Wow, where in the world did this year go. I will say that it will go out with a bang. This year I got to see some old high school friends. Actually it was tonight. So much fun. I have to be honest with you that I wasn't sure if I was going to go but I am glad that I did. I got to see Amy, her sister Jennifer, Missie, Shari, Karen and Heather along with their kids. (Missie and Jennifer don't have any). I haven't seen some of them since high school graduation or just a couple years after. Next year I will be out of high school 15 years. Yikes! So you now know how long it's been.

I didn't want to go because I thought, I really don't have much in common with them as they are married with kids (well not all. After talking with them, I realized that I have more in common with them and have similar struggles and desires.

Talking with Missie helped me realize that I do have a great life. I know that I do but sometimes I forget (and I forget easily). She is still single and have been dating the same guy for 4 yrs. Neither of them are ready to get married. She's happy were she is at. Other things she talked about I will not discuss but it was like a breath of fresh air. Yes, you can be in your 30's, still single, not even close to be getting married or have kids, have some issues in the relationship and still have a fulfilling life and relationship.

Life is too short to wish for things you don't have. Be happy with what you have, Kim. I am, I really am. I guess it is hard being patient and not knowing the future. I guess that is why they say life is a journey. It's the not destination, its the ride.

hmm... I guess I did have something to write about...

O' Christmas Trees?

Yep, two Christmas trees. I FINALLY got a pencil tree and it will stay up all year.I have it in my dining room. Not sure where else to put it and not sure where to keep it all year. I got it in Smicksburg the other weekend when I was up home visiting my sister for her birthday.



My pencil tree. I can't wait to decorate it in red lights and heart ornaments for valentines day.

Feeling spicy

I said that I was going to post my recipe creations so here are two of them right now. Spicy Pretzels and Ranch Crackers. My bag says hot and spicy pretzels is that I accidently used 1 tablespoon instead of 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper. They're HOT!!


Ranch Crackers
1 packet ranch dry seasoning mix
1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
1/4 cup oil
1 bag of oyster crackers

Mix all ingredients together and bake at 225 degrees for 2 hours in cake pan stiring every 30 minutes. YUM!

Spicy Pretzels (a family favorite)
1 lb bag of pretzels
1 packet ranch dry seansoning mix
1 teaspoon of garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper ( I used about 1 teaspoon)
1/2 cup oil

Mix all ingredients together and bake in the over in cake pan at 225 degrees for 2 hours stiring every 15 minutes (but I do it every 30 minutes)



Enjoy!!

I'm seeing red.

Okay, so I've always wanted a red, white, and black kitchen. Since I am renting, I had to go with red accents. The black and white will have to wait. I would love to have black grantite countertops with black appliances. I figured I had to go with white appliances (had to supply them in my place) because black would not go with the ugly fruit wallpaper. I took care of that. I painted the walls yellow to kind of go with the 1970's gold flecked countertop. I had a retro looking sign in my kitchen and so I went with the retro theme and colors (red, yellow, teal and blue) I got some retro pyrex bowls to match. Some from my sister Holly and some I found on my own. Thank you yard sales and Goodwill stores. I think the kitchen looks good.

I'm on a...

Sugar high. I had to make sure they were fit to eat. :) Just some of the cookies I've made so far...peanut butter, sugar, m&m, 7 layer bars, oreo balls, and chocolate marshmallow bars. Yummo as Rachel Ray would say. Well, I can't take full credit on the oreo balls and sugar cookies. My friend Rainey and I worked together on those.

Okay, now I have to check on my Ranch crackers. I think I better drink lots of water to flush out this sugar.

To the post office I go...

Two times a year the post office is super busy. April and December. I bet you can figure out why.

Anyway, I am sending gifts to my best friend and her two daughters for christmas this year. Her name is Jennifer and she lives in Ohio. Her two daughters are Lauren (almost 3) and Jessica (5 months).I am also sending part of her birthday gift as it falls just a few days after christmas. She says she gets the short end of the stick when it comes to her birthday since it falls around christmas. I think she is right. I try to send her gifts separately and this year we exchanged birthday gifts in October when I went out to see her. It was nice. I miss her so much. It's hard when your friends live away, especially your closest ones. It's also hard when your life is so different from each other. But that's another blog.

This is the biggest package I've sent to her. I needed a big box (computer paper box) as I sent her daughters something they can play with together, of course when Jessica gets older. For now, it will be for Lauren. In case Jennifer reads this, I'm not going to tell. But now I wish I would have took a pic for after christmas. Darn. Now that I think about it, I didn't take a pic of the heart/button magnet I made for my sister Holly for her birthday. Maybe she will post it someday on her blog. I have to make a mental note...take pics.

I do appologize for not writing on this blog as often as I would like...sorry Jodie. :) I am taking a break tonight from overtime. We are backed up at work and so I have been putting in as much as I can for this next pay period. In between that, I have been baking and christmas shopping. I did take time last night to go to the gym. I needed it!

Ta Ta for now. I am in the middle of making spicy pretzels and icing sugar cookies.

YAY!!

YAY...I have my computer back. It had a nasty virus so I sent it to a computer wiz it is so much better. She downloaded some other things that will also help protect my computer. I now have 3 antivirus spyware on my computer.

You know I went 2 years without a computer and just went to friends' houses or the library and I was fine. My computer/laptop was gone for less than a week and I was going nuts. I did have a desktop but didn't have a screen for it and I just didn't spend the money for a screen as I knew eventually I wanted a laptop. I gave my screen to a wonderful family member. You know who you are! :) I love my laptop and will eventually sell the desktop to Tammy, the computer wiz because she refurbishes them and resells then to college students for cheep. Thanks Tammy for getting my laptop back in working condition!

I'm a slacker

Okay, I must admit I have been putting off writing on my blog. I just haven't had the time...well I did but I just didn't have anything to say. I've had a lot go on this past weekend and well who couldn't write about that.

Right now I am slowly getting ready for my Christmas bookclub party tomorrow night. My good friend Rainey helped me decorate my tree tonight and I greatly appreciate it. I fed her vanilla cream pie so I feel it was a fair trade. :)

On saturday night my boyfriend suprised me with a little party for my birthday. It was so sweet. He even had cake and ice cream for me. There was only 4 of us but it was really special. He does a lot of special things for me. Yeah I know it's a week late. I think that was to throw me off.

I have been a busy bee this weekend puting up Christmas decorations. I'm still not done. Just a few more things. I just can't believe it will be Christmas soon.

Good night all!
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Feliz Navidad

The day after

Okay I am here to say that I went out to the mall on black friday. I couldn't resist the bargins they were having. I went with my boyfriend, Es. We had a good time.

I went back to the mall this morning for some more bargains. I had fun because I went right when it opened at 8am and there was no one in sight. Everyone I'm sure was sleeping in from black friday when they got up at 3am to stand in line at 4am for the great deals. That's just nuts. But note to self...the best time to shop is early in the moring on saturdays...even Walmart. There is no one around! Well, there are maybe a few but I can handle a few.

Gobble, Gobble

Happy Thanksgiving!

I want to share with you 10 things that I am thankful for...

1. Jesus dying on the cross to save me from my sins.

2. My family.

3. My boyfriend.

4. My friends.

5. My home to live in.

6. The clothes on my back and the food in my fridge.

7. My job.

8. My car that runs great, even in the snow.

9. My health, even though it could be better.

10.My life, the lessons learned, experiences, laughter, etc. I don't feel that I would be the person I am today if it wasn't for my past. Thank you everyone who has come into my life and enriched it.

Now, it's time to go get ready and visit my dad's side of the family and eat turkey. Stuffing is my most favorite part.

No matter what life brings...

I hate white walls and well my landlord said it was okay to paint. I have been a busy lady repainting my kitchen, living room, bathroom, stairs, and spare bedroom/den. I like to paint but then I start and think to myself, "Why do I like this? This is exhausting!" Since I've done it all by myself, it makes me appreciate my apartment so much more. When you are single you do have to figure out how to do things for yourself. Sometimes you can't do everything by yourself.

The little bit of white wall still showing is in my den. Yep I couldn't reach that tiny little bit. It's above a built in cabinet and no matter how far I stretched on my tippy toes I just couldn't reach it. I decided I needed a taller ladder but I don't really want to spend the money. I probably won't buy one. I don't need it for anything else...until I start another project and of course wish I had it. I'll let you know when someone finally comes to help me with the eye sore.

I love the color in my den. It's called dipped in chocolate. I wish I was eating chocolate right now but I'll be good. I don't want my workout tonight to be a washout.

Delilah...

Right now I am listening to Delilah on the radio. She has so many inpirational and wonderful love stories on her show. I love listening to her even when I am not dating (but I am right now.) I really should be working my overtime that I brought home with me but I will start that later. I will be working from home tomorrow for the first time. I hope all goes well and that I will be able to get onto our work computer system from home. It is amazing what technology brings.

I have been thinking of my sister Holly and her family all day today as she lost her father inlaw over the weekend. I have known too many people recently to loose a loved one and it just makes me realize even more how precious life is and how not to take people for granted. I love my family and friends with all my heart and I have no idea what I would do without them. I pray every night for them and for God to bless them.

I am dating a great man right now. He is the sweetest guy I know. For my birthday he got me a cupcake with a candle to blow out. He also sang happy birthday to me. Oh man I thought I died and went to heaven. No guy I've ever dated did that for me and I've dated my share..good, bad and the ugly. He makes me feel so special. We are taking things slow and I'm okay with that. I want to enjoy my life as it is now. When my life is ready for the next chapter I will know.

Well this was another random post. I guess it was about relationships and I'm getting tired at 8:36pm...I feel old. :)

Blog=Online Journal

I had a few people ask me when I told them I started a blog "What's a blog." I told them it's like an online journal, at least that was the explanation for me. A blog can be whatever you want it to be. It is something that you create online through blogger websites.

Anyway, I don't feel like I finished answering from Thursday's post on why I started a blog. I was inspired yes but what made me do it and why now. When I finally made up my mind to do it, I wanted to start it on my birthday this year because I was having a hard time with the birthday. I thought if I wrote things down about my life and shared it with others I would be able to deal with it better. So far things are a bit easier. It's therapy I guess. My good friend Rainey asked what I was going to post on my blog and I said a little bit of everything. That's kind of how she came up with the title. Oh, and she was also reading Age of Innocence at the time too.

My life has taken many different turns and roads throughout my 33 years. If you know me well enough you know what roads and turns I'm talking about. I am going to share these stories on my blog. The thing I'm dealing with now and have for most of my life is weight. I've gone up and I've come down. Right now I am on the down but holding steady at a 45lb weight loss. I was up to 50lbs but gained some back. I've been at this health kick for 2 years now all because of some health issues I was and still dealing with. I feel so much better since losing weight but I still need to loose about 40 more and I'm stuck. I've been stuck for about 8 months now. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. I reached an all time high weight at...here I go...at 238. That's heavy especially when I'm only 5 feet 2.5 inches. Well, now you can figure out how much I weigh now.

It took until I was 31 to realize that I am an emotional eater. I think alot of people are. I also ate out of boredom. I have learned to change that and keep myself busy with projects or reading and not sitting in front of the television. The one year I got rid of cable tv so I could afford the gym. That year was my biggest weight loss. I think that I why I am stuck now. I returned that cable and started dating a while back and now I don't make the same amount of time for the gym. That is my goal for the new year, to get back to the basics again...gym 5 days a week.

Okay my peeps, ta ta for now. I must get ready to go and rejoice in the Lord...always.

Grandma's Birthday

It would have been my Grandma B's birthday today. I will always remember it since it was the day after mine. Grandma, I can't wait to see you again in heaven someday!

This picture, my mom gave to be because she and my sister Holly were going through old photo albums. I'm glad I have it. Mom put on the back (Atheline Hattie Bair, Beck, Baughman and me- 1980) Yep, we could always call her Grandma B as she married three men with the last name beginning with "B". Go figure. Her last husband was her high school sweetheart-Dave Baughman (at least that is what I can remember). I will always remember going to Grandma's and having her flap jacks and potato soup. YUMMO!Some people call pancakes flap jacks but this was fried dough and then you can put the soup on top or some would add butter and jelly. I think I added syrup to mine and had the soup separate. Oh man, I'm getting hungry! Happy Birthday Grandma B. Love you always.

Happy Happy Birthday

My mom gave birth to me 33 years ago today. We may have our differences but she's a great lady. Love you and all my family! Thank you for coming down last weekend to celebrate my birthday.

Welcome!

Well I must say that I have been talking all year about starting a blog. 2009 is soon to be over and here I am finally. My sister, Holly, has inspired me. She started a blog at the beginning of the year. It's awesome! She loves crafts, sewing, repurposing, hot tea and milk chocolate. Then I found out that my good friend Lorraine (Rainey)had a blog. It's great too. She actually came up with the name for my blog. I liked it so I went with it. From these two bloggers, I have found others that I enjoy reading. It's amazing how you can just keep clicking and clicking your mouse to another and then another blog. It's so addictive.

So why now did I decide to start my blog. Well, tomorrow is my 33rd birthday. Yay! I had a problem when I had turned 30 and now I'm having difficulty turning 33. Can I just stop time now? I think I'm having difficulty because I never imagined my life as it is now. I had a totally different image. God has a plan for all of us and right now I am enjoying the ride.