I was going to list all of the things that I am thankful for in this post. But you all know them already. I am thankful for family, friends and health. Then there's the obvious shelter, food, water and health insurance. This just didn't feel right to me. And while I was thinking about what I was thankful for, I happened to be vacuuming and the thought of being thankful for vacuum lines in my carpet passed through. I didn't want to sound petty. I really do like the lines though. Makes me feel like I've accomplished something.
So instead I decided to live right in this very moment and thank my husband, mom, dad and sister for giving me this weekend. Thank you, Scott for going to Florida. He's teaching a class and makes a nice chunk of change when he does so. He loves to teach and does it well. It fills his cup. Thanks mom, dad and Amy for taking my girl for the weekend. I know that everyone all around had fun. So guess where I am and what I am doing? I'm home alone and loving every minute of it. Some may be offended by that comment. Not my intent. Not at all. I do still have the dogs. But for thirty-six hours I fed only myself and when I wanted to. I took more than one nap. I read and went through magazines. I did a little bit of cleaning. A lot of dog walking. And the biggest accomplishment was that I finished Christmas shopping for my girl. A special thanks goes out to ladies at the mall for wrapping everything. My donation to their cause was well spent.
I miss everyone. I don't like to spend much time away from them. I almost filled my weekend with coffee with friends and a dinner out, but stopped myself. I really needed to recharge. It felt great. My cup runneth over. My heart is full. I love that my family did this all for me. I guess it all does come full circle. I really am most thankful for my family. In this upcoming holiday season please remember to live in the moment. This is a season of joy and each moment with family and friends should be savored. Simply enjoy!
©2011 Ann M. De Broux
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Friday, November 11, 2011
This Is A Little Embarrassing...
You know when something dawns on you? When you are hit upside the head with a reality? This happened to me this week. It hit me in the middle. Really. My middle.
I am constantly running around at my job. Up and down stairs. Often carrying a lot. This may be the most active job I have ever had. Besides waitressing. I have been slowly, but surely, losing a bit of weight. I must say I'm a little proud of this. Don't worry, you would still recognize me if we ran into each other at the mall. It's not that much weight.
So, the other day I'm making dinner. Trying to stay within our healthy guidelines is sometimes a challenge. We make it work. Our meals are simple, but delicious. On this particular evening I was making my seasoned potatoes. Yum. We all love them. They are easy. I cut up the potatoes, toss them in olive oil and season them with black pepper and a variety of seasonings from Penzey's Spices. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes. I always make a huge baking sheet full of these spuds.
Scott had just finished grilling our main course. I pulled the pan of potatoes out of the oven and set them on the stove. I then reached above the stove for a water bottle. SIZZLE. OUCH. I can't believe that just happened. What you ask? This is the embarrassing part. I singed my muffin top. Yes, you read this right. My muffin top. You know the extra bit of weight around your middle. Or should I say around my middle. Are you kidding me? My shirt raised a tiny bit when I reached up into the cupboard and my bare skin touched the edge of the sizzling hot pan. This resulted in a burn. On my tummy. About two inches long.
This spot is most sensitive. It's my waist. The irritation from my pants and belt are endless. I'm always one to look for the best in things. So here goes. I have been hit right in my middle and have been reminded that a lighter and healthier lifestyle is in my best interest. And one more thing. Perhaps when I am cooking I should wear an apron.
©2011 Ann M. De Broux
I am constantly running around at my job. Up and down stairs. Often carrying a lot. This may be the most active job I have ever had. Besides waitressing. I have been slowly, but surely, losing a bit of weight. I must say I'm a little proud of this. Don't worry, you would still recognize me if we ran into each other at the mall. It's not that much weight.
So, the other day I'm making dinner. Trying to stay within our healthy guidelines is sometimes a challenge. We make it work. Our meals are simple, but delicious. On this particular evening I was making my seasoned potatoes. Yum. We all love them. They are easy. I cut up the potatoes, toss them in olive oil and season them with black pepper and a variety of seasonings from Penzey's Spices. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes. I always make a huge baking sheet full of these spuds.
Scott had just finished grilling our main course. I pulled the pan of potatoes out of the oven and set them on the stove. I then reached above the stove for a water bottle. SIZZLE. OUCH. I can't believe that just happened. What you ask? This is the embarrassing part. I singed my muffin top. Yes, you read this right. My muffin top. You know the extra bit of weight around your middle. Or should I say around my middle. Are you kidding me? My shirt raised a tiny bit when I reached up into the cupboard and my bare skin touched the edge of the sizzling hot pan. This resulted in a burn. On my tummy. About two inches long.
This spot is most sensitive. It's my waist. The irritation from my pants and belt are endless. I'm always one to look for the best in things. So here goes. I have been hit right in my middle and have been reminded that a lighter and healthier lifestyle is in my best interest. And one more thing. Perhaps when I am cooking I should wear an apron.
©2011 Ann M. De Broux
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Week In Review
Sorry. It was another one of those weeks. The kind where I just can't find the energy or time to sit down and write. This is silly because I actually find that when I do write, I have more energy. Weird, right? Maybe it's my coffee. Anyway, it's one of those weeks where nothing bad happened to me, just busy. So, here goes:
Scott and I celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary on Monday. And yes, for those of you who don't know it was Halloween. I made it that way so he never forgets! Just kidding. It was the only autumn Saturday left on the calendar that year. We've had lots of great times with the date.
Gracie and I ordered Avon from our neighbor. We got our order on Wednesday. It was very retro for me. Brought me back to my childhood. I couldn't wait to look through the small catalogs, place my order and wait in anticipation for the delivery. I'm now living this through Gracie's eyes. Brings me back. So does the smell and feel of Dew KIss lip balm! Simple joys.
I had a student bring me a candy bar. My favorite. He's now my favorite. Remember, I say that to all of the kids I work with. And I mean it. It doesn't lose it's meaning when I share that feeling with all of them. I enjoy these young people so much. My days fly by and I hope I am making a difference.
We had our carpets cleaned this week. I feel like we have a whole new house. It made me want to purge and clean like the president was coming. I started Friday night and worked all day yesterday. Therapeutic. My family finally made me sit down and we watched four hours of Hallmark movies. Loved every minute of it. Especially the family part.
Speaking of family. Please love, appreciate and hold yours tight. You never know when things will happen. Please don't live a life of regret. When you don't have the time is when you should take it. Every minute counts. This week I learned of a friend and her family and a loss that is too hard to even imagine. Children are not supposed to die before their parents. So please take the time to make the time. Nothing, NOTHING, trumps time.
With that said, I am off to church with my family. I have warned them that I am feeling lucky today and I am ready to beat them in whatever games we play. Chinese food will be picked up on the way home and of course there's a Packer game to watch. This has been a good week. I hope yours was a good one, too.
©2011 Ann M. De Broux
Scott and I celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary on Monday. And yes, for those of you who don't know it was Halloween. I made it that way so he never forgets! Just kidding. It was the only autumn Saturday left on the calendar that year. We've had lots of great times with the date.
Gracie and I ordered Avon from our neighbor. We got our order on Wednesday. It was very retro for me. Brought me back to my childhood. I couldn't wait to look through the small catalogs, place my order and wait in anticipation for the delivery. I'm now living this through Gracie's eyes. Brings me back. So does the smell and feel of Dew KIss lip balm! Simple joys.
I had a student bring me a candy bar. My favorite. He's now my favorite. Remember, I say that to all of the kids I work with. And I mean it. It doesn't lose it's meaning when I share that feeling with all of them. I enjoy these young people so much. My days fly by and I hope I am making a difference.
We had our carpets cleaned this week. I feel like we have a whole new house. It made me want to purge and clean like the president was coming. I started Friday night and worked all day yesterday. Therapeutic. My family finally made me sit down and we watched four hours of Hallmark movies. Loved every minute of it. Especially the family part.
Speaking of family. Please love, appreciate and hold yours tight. You never know when things will happen. Please don't live a life of regret. When you don't have the time is when you should take it. Every minute counts. This week I learned of a friend and her family and a loss that is too hard to even imagine. Children are not supposed to die before their parents. So please take the time to make the time. Nothing, NOTHING, trumps time.
With that said, I am off to church with my family. I have warned them that I am feeling lucky today and I am ready to beat them in whatever games we play. Chinese food will be picked up on the way home and of course there's a Packer game to watch. This has been a good week. I hope yours was a good one, too.
©2011 Ann M. De Broux
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