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Monday, January 31, 2011

SAG Awards Recap

     I am such a chick. I love watching the red carpet and award shows of Hollywood, so I can gawk at all the beautiful gowns and get all the latest 'gossip'. I always imagine what I would wear, and what I'd say if I had the opportunity to walk the red carpet at one of these awards ceremonies. However, we are now knee deep in to the season, and I have to say I am very disappointed and bored. The Screen Actors Guild awards last night was very competitive but the speeches were dull, and many of the actors who were nominated and lost did not hide their disgust very well. I was almost sorry that I even tuned in to watch. However there were some of the 'beautiful people' who were beautifully dressed, and I think deserve recognition. So here we go:

Natalie Portman Natalie Portman showed off her bump beautifully. Not looking like a stuffed sausage, and went for simply elegance.

Sofía Vergara Sophia Vergara was stunning. A beautiful shade of blue, and the way the material draped was extremely flattering.

Julia Stiles Julia Stiles picked it right. The colors are traditional, black and white. But this is a gown that any woman can wear.

Helena Bonham Carter Helena Bonham Carter....is classic and beautiful here. She didn't go her traditional route of eccentric. She matched everything perfectly. She is timeless.

Cara Buono Cara Buono....I have no idea who you are. But this edgy dress is on the edge. Equal parts edgy and looking like my bed comforter.

Angie Harmon Angie Harmon....so nice I have to show it twice. If I could afford any of the gowns from last night....THIS is the one I would buy! Angie Harmon

Kim Kardashian Kim Kardashian....I really would have loved to not have included you here. But this was my second favorite gown. Very elegant, and the jewel-tone is beautifully picked for this time of year and your skin tone.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Things to do when you're snowed in




Surprise...surprise it snowed yet again. I guess I can't be surprised being that I live in the north-east region of the country and it is the end of January. But where kids get excited at the opportunity of missing a day(s) of school and playing in the cold white stuff....I am beginning to go stir-crazy. I had (re)injured my back last year, and am no longer able to lift heavy items or shovel. So where I had once been the one to clear my driveway, now have to rely on neighbors to 'rescue' us. And although I have an SUV...and can handle driving in the snow....the slipping on ice in my boots does not really appeal to me. And where do I need to go anyway? I don't need anything such as 'toys' or groceries, or errands to do.
     There is nothing fascinating on tv to watch, and all my dvd's seem to have been watched a gazillion times, and nothing fresh to watch. I did just watch the 'A-Team' from NetFlix and it was amazing, but returned it in the mail so I can get my next dvd. The internet? Yeah nothing fun going on there either. All my sites which I follow have not been updated, and FaceBook games are getting mundane as well. And what the hell is up with Bejeweled? How come there are people scoring well in to the 400-thousands and I can't seem to break the 200-thousands? How are they cheating? Which brings me to finding ways to amuse myself in the house to keep from going stir-crazy. Yes they may seem to be just outright ridiculous...but when you live on Long Island, in the end of January and are snowed in....let's see what you can come up with to amuse yourself.

Things to do to amuse yourself when snowed in:
  • Make a big pot of soup. Any flavor....cooking is fun.
  • Ok now make a big pot of chili because maybe I won't feel like soup tomorrow.
  • Finally put away the indoor Christmas decorations.
  • Grow the catnip in the ChiaPet catnip kit mom bought for the mckittens.
  • Make rice pudding...and then realize this is no longer your favorite recipe.
  • Not me...but this is the color.
    Change my blond streak to Manic Panic Ultra Violet color..just for shits and giggles. 
  • Now panic that if I score a job interview, may not be accepted for position due to purple in my hair.
  • Create a FaceBook account for my boy (my cat) Pooka. Because a friend asked me if he had an account. Why shouldn't he have an account of his own?
  • Wonder what kinds of things Pooka will talk about on his wall, on FaceBook.
  • Start to write about life with Pooka and wonder if people who read it will think I favor him above the other cats and dog.
  • Fight my Aunt Ida for the last cup of coffee. When the hell did she become such a coffee fiend?
  • Have a sleepover downstairs with Lola the dog. Ok...she's a good cuddler, but she also snores....and can be a bit of a blanket hog.
  • Procrastinate on starting to write about Pooka by thinking up more things I needed to add on to my list here.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Winter stick-to-your-ribs food: Split Pea Soup with Ham and Cheese

 I love to cook, and I love soup. And nothing is better than homemade soup. Well, we're supposed to get hit with yet another snow storm...and it's supposed to be 'baaaaaaaaaaad'. So I decided that it was time to make some delicious winter recipes to keep on hand. This one is a little extra special because when you serve the pea soup...you top it with cheese! Nothing makes something more delicious than cheese. I guess that's the italian in me coming out. Anyway......give it a whirl, and bon appetite!

Ingrediants:
1 pound(s) dry split peas, picked over, rinsed, and drained   
4 tsp vegetable oil   
 
2 medium carrot(s), chopped   
 
1 large onion(s), chopped   
 
1 stalk(s) (medium) celery, chopped   
 
2 cup(s) reduced-sodium chicken broth   
2 cup(s) water   
 
1/4 pound(s) cooked lean ham, cut into matchstick-size pieces   
1/8 tsp black pepper, freshly ground   
2 oz Alpine Lace® Reduced-Fat Cheddar Cheese, cut into 1⁄2-inch cubes, or other brand

Directions:

  Place the peas in a large saucepan; add enough water to cover them by 2 inches and bring to a boil. Remove    from the heat, then cover and let soak 1 hour. Drain.
Heat a large nonstick saucepan or Dutch oven. Swirl in the oil, then add the carrots, onion, and celery. Sauté until wilted, about 5 minutes. Add the peas, broth, water, ham, and pepper. Bring to a boil; reduce the heat and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until the peas are tender, about 1 hour. Top with the cheese and serve immediately, or set aside to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate up to 3 days.

Recipe serves 8...serving size 1 cup.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Attack of the cats.....or 'did you ever think you'd know someone who had to get rabie shots?'

     Ok, I've been gone for awhile but it's not exactly my fault. I've missed checking in and blogging. I've missed following all of you who blog too. But I had a slight bloody and painful mishap which had prevented me from being able to type, as well as having my energy zapped from me. They say the the road to hell is paved with good intentions and over the course of my life...found that to be true from time to time. However it has never rung more true or closer to home, than it had last Saturday.
     Anyone who knows me knows I love animals. Almost all kinds of animals. And my heart breaks for those whom are mistreated or homeless. My family has always rescued our pets from shelters, and my newest kitten was brought in from a feral litter at only six weeks old...and a ball of joy and love. Of course my mom cringes any time I see an animal and squeal...as she thinks and knows that I do want to love it and adopt it. But finally...with one crazy puggle and three cats, I know there is no more room in my house or my heart to give.
     This past summer, a pregnant cat took up residence in our back yard and gave birth to two kittens. I fondly nicknamed them 'the interlopers' and named each of them. The mother is a meanie, one kitten was a lovie, and the other a scardy-cat. Just before Christmas I was able to place the beautiful, nice kitten in a home...but we worried about the mamma and remaining kitten. Mind you the 'kitten' is now about eight months old. I have gotten no where with the mother cat, with her allowing me to pet her. But the kitten I have been able to pet when she is inside the shelter I've constructed for them to protect them from snow. And this is where the horror began.
     On Saturday, January 15th I decided to take the 'kitten' and put her in a carrier and turn her over to an animal rescue place with the store Petco. I had my cat carrier ready to go, inside my house, near the back door. I waited until she was in her cubby, and attempted to extract her. BIG mistake. Big. HUGE! Because this kitten went wacko! Granted I can now admit that she was scared....but at the time it was 'an attempt to kill me...the person who was feeding her.' She scratched my hands and my wrists with her nails. I got her out of the cubby and she lept from my grasp and scratched my neck and face...and FLEW into my dining room where I heard glass shatter. I went after her, not wanting her to get hurt...and found her behind a curio cabinet where once again (stupid me) grasped her and she set about BITING my left index finger viciously...to the point where blood was literally spurting from my hand (no exaggeration.) I figured that I was going to need stitches. Again she escaped my grasp and FLEW back to the family room, and hid behind the sewing machine until my mom could move it enough for her to get past and outside to freedom.
     My hand in excruciating pain, already swollen and still bleeding, I told my mom I was going to probably need stitches and off to the urgent care we went. The urgent care doctor told me we were going to need to go to the Emergency Room at the hospital as animal attacks need to be reported by law...and I would need to be started on the anti-rabies vaccine. He prescribe an oral antibiotic of augmentin, which I have to take 875mg TWICE a day, for ten days. Plus he gave me a tetanus shot. So off the the Emergency Room we go and have to go through the whole horrid details again. I had to speak to someone in the CDC department who informed me that I would indeed need the series of anti-rabies shots. Several of which would be injected IN THE BITE SITES and would be extremely painful. Also I'd need three follow-up shots on certain days.
     Contrary to popular belief...they do NOT inject the rabies shots in your stomach. You get a shot in each arm, and then into the animal bites. They DO NOT numb the area. They DO NOT knock you out for this. The needle which they use is the size of the needle for an epidoral or the amniosantesis test. It is THE WORST pain I have ever felt in my life...and trust me...I've been through some nasty injuries. I tried holding in my screams....and mom had to push my shoulder down to keep me still. Tears streamed from my eyes and the nurse was so upset to have to put me through this (the nurse was really, really great with her treatment of me.) Eight shots later, a xanex for my nerves and an ice pack with follow-up shot dates I was sent home. This past Tuesday I had my first follow-up shot which was a breeze, like getting a flu-shot in the arm. The only thing is it makes you very sleepy for a day or so. I have two more rounds to go and are then finished (thank God).
     However my problem is still not solved. The psycho cats are still in my backyard. They sit at my back door and try to coax me in to trusting them. I know they really want another taste of me. I have no assistance in having these cats removed. Apparently by NY State law, cats are free animals, so the town and pounds are not allowed to trap them and remove them. ALL the shelters are overran with strays, so even if I did catch them, they will not take them. NOW last night another cat showed up in my backyard. I'm not sure if it's a male or female...but not only is this another unwanted cat...but the two original interlopers are not neutered....so this poses the problem of a kitten explosion.
     In all my life I never thought I'd be someone to say 'Hi....my name is Rose....and I've had the rabies vaccine.' Did you ever think you'd know someone who had to get vaccinated?

Friday, January 14, 2011

Pirate party birthday cake.....which route should I go?

I was trying not to think about it. But I am so very excited about this party that I can't help it and am thinking about all the things I need to do and have for my Pirates of the Caribbean themed Terrific-and-35 birthday. Everyone knows that I love to cook...and even more so love to bake, and I've been pondering the idea of the birthday cake for some time now. Do I go to a bakery and pay to have it made...saving me time? Or do I go the route of fondant tiered cake baked by me? Should I just go to Costco and purchase a sheet cake (because they're cakes are yummy)? Or do I invest and have a professional cake created?

I was surfing the net tonight, trying to get some ideas and found these photos of pirate inspired cakes which looked interesting, and somewhat reproducable (if I opted to make my own.) Which one looks the best to you? Time to vote!

http://www.artisancakes.com.au/new-win/gallery/gallery-images-large/gallery_babieschildrens/pirate-birthday-cake/

Treasure Island Pirate Birthday Cakehttp://www.coolest-birthday-cakes.com/pirate-birthday.html#c12

http://simplysweetsaz.blogspot.com/2009/07/pirate-skull-upcake-cake-for-5th.html

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Pirate Party Recipes

Thankfully I was born in June....which means a b-b-q party is always the easy way to go. No fuss no muss...throw some burgers and dogs on the grill and bon appetite. However as we get older...we want to class it up a little bit when we have a party. And since I've decided to go with my Pirates of the Caribbean themed bash, want the food to reflect the theme as well as be no fuss, no muss. Plus...I plan on being in full party mood swillin' me rum, and getting my pirate on.

I came across this recipe on-line tonight, and will alter the serving portions to a larger scale...but think I've found on of the dishes for the b-day party which will be on Saturday, June 11th. Take a look, give it a try...it sounds delish:

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Pirates-Pork-Chops/Detail.aspx

Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 40 Minutes
 
Ready In: 50 Minutes
Servings: 4
 
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
3 tablespoons raisins
1/2 teaspoon curry powder
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
4 (3/4 inch) thick pork chops
1 (15 ounce) can pineapple chunks with
juice
1/4 cup golden syrup
1/4 cup ketchup
 
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork chops and fry on each side until browned, about 3 minutes per side. Pour in the liquid from the pineapple chunks, saving pineapple for later. Stir in the golden syrup and ketchup and season with curry powder, ginger, salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium, cover and simmer for 30 minutes, or until pork chops are tender.
 
When the pork chops are tender, pour in the pineapple chunks and add the raisins. Heat through briefly, then serve.
1.Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork chops and fry on each side until browned, about 3 minutes per side. Pour in the liquid from the pineapple chunks, saving pineapple for later. Stir in the golden syrup and ketchup and season with curry powder, ginger, salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium, cover and simmer for 30 minutes, or until pork chops are tender.
2.When the pork chops are tender, pour in the pineapple chunks and add the raisins. Heat through briefly, then serve

Monday, January 10, 2011

Birthday-palooza 2011-A Pirate's Life's for Meeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!

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So it is written, so it shall be done! I have decided to throw myself a birthday party! That's right! Me. Throwing myself a birthday party. Granted my birthday isn't until June....but it is a big one, as far as I'm concerned. I'll be turning the BIG 3-5!Now for those of you who do not know me....you have no idea what it was like for me to face the big 3-0. I was a monster, not wanting to even acknowledge that I was turning 30. It is now 5 years later, and I am ready to celebrate my birthday. And aside from wanting to party the night away with my friends whom I adore...but what also is awesome is that the 4th installment of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides will be released in June of 2011. Not to mention that Johnny Depp's birthday is on June 9th...and he is a fellow gemini.

Being that I have been a pirate freak since I was a small child....my favorite ride in Disney World is Pirates of the Caribbean, and I am a POTC junky....I've decided to throw myself a theme birthday party. And you've guessed it...it will be Pirates of the Caribbean themed! However I am not exactly sure how to go about this without making it seem too childish. What should I serve, how carried away should I go with the decor? Shall I have people dress as though they're pirates or just leave it casual themed? Any ideas and suggestions will very gladly be welcome.


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Land Of A Million Drums



Scooby Doo has always been a consistent Doo, and this is probably part of the reason as to why I've become a paranormal investigator. Plus Monday's always need a little fun in it to make it a bearable day...so get jiggy to this fun song by OutKast.

Friday, January 7, 2011

Book Review: The Perfect Manhattan by Tracey Toomey and Leanne Shear

Meet Cassie Ellis--a young college graduate with the world on a string, a yen for screenwriting, and a need for fast cash to pay off her student loans. Eager to avoid the lucrative snooze-fest of a reliable consulting job, she shocks everyone she knows by opting for a sexier, more flexible job: mixing drinks. Never mind that she doesn't know single-malt whiskey from Jack Daniel's: she's eager to learn. And under the tutelage of a sexy Soho bar owner, she's soon cranking out three-olive martinis with the city's glitterati fifteen-deep at the bar--all while angling for tips, fielding bad pick-up lines, and trying to keep up with the other bartenders who party as hard as their stylish clientele.
When Cassie accepts a summer gig bartending in the Hampton's, New York's most elite summer destination, she finds herself catapulted into a whirlwind of dazzling celebrity and over-the-top wealth unlike anything she's ever seen. Life behind the velvet rope is hard to resist, especially when she finds herself falling for a Hampton's hottie named James. But as the summer progresses, and she finds herself surrounded by playboys, moguls, spoiled rich kids, and Paris Hilton clones in strappy stilettos, she soon wonders if playing the ersatz socialite--while actually trying to make a living--is more than she bargained for.
Being a transplanted Brooklyn girl, to Long Island (and no...I do not pronounce it Long Guy-land) I never really got the allure of the Hampton's. I mean, yeah the richie-riches vacation out there in their summer homes, and during the summer the Hampton's is *the* place to be. But I never understood why your regular joes would shell out thousands of dollars for a share house, or drive over an hour to a nightclub all the way in the boonies to drink until their faces fell off. However I have *always* loved the bar scene....and always dreamt of mixing drinks behind a bar. There is something alluring to me about it, and believe me I do know the downside to being a mixologist although I never made a career of it. I would have to say I was a heavy party-girl from 20 years old until 24 or 25 years old. In a bar or night club 2 and even sometimes 3 nights a week as I had friends in the industry. I wound up even 'dating' a bartender for a short time. There were nights where I don't remember the drive home, and there were nights where the toilet was my best friend. There was the rush I got when I would work the bar for my boyfriend, and get strange guys to buy me drinks.The nightclub world can indeed be a very seductive force.  And I can honestly say that I am *so* glad to have walked away from that world and be way past that stage in my life.
The Perfect Manhattan by Tracey Toomey and Leanne Shear totally brought me back to my 'wild' days. Although I have only been out to the Hampton's on 2 occasions to play, from knowing of the clubs which are out there and reading this book, I felt like I was actually in the Hampton's. This book is drawn from experiences which these two women authors have had, while supporting themselves as bartenders, and I think they have captured the true grit of what it is like to live as a bartender, deromanticizing the profession. The caste system of the wealthy where old money looks down on new money has been in existence for several era's, and it was nice that it was brought up in the book too, to show that it still exists. And then you have the  'Pearl Girls' in this novel, which are the elite Hampton princesses, who look down on the working class, and refuse to allow an 'outsider' in to their world. This brought back many memories of the cliques from my childhood school years, up to when I would hang out in the nightclub where my boyfriend worked and his ex girlfriend would show up. It brought up past memories both good and bad...it had me cheering for the main character Cassie, as I related tot his young woman who was just looking to make some money to make it on her own. Do I think that 'The Perfect Manhattan' is an 'awesome' book which I will reread throughout my life? Absolutely not. I thought it was a fun read, as it takes place in my own 'backyard' and was very easy for me to connect with as I too was a party-girl. It made me reminisce about those days when I was carefree, and just looking for acceptance from my wealthier friends, so I allowed myself to get swept up in all the materialistic bullshit and drama. But it also made me realize that I had a blast int he last decade which made me who I am now...and that is not something I regret. I think this book is ideal for young women in their early 20's to read...as it will show them that bartending is not 'easy money', and that if you're looking to meet 'the man of your dreams' the club scene is not the place to do it. It will also remind you to stay true to yourself.
You can purchase 'The Perfect Manhattan' on-line....in your local book store as well.

This is book review # 2 for the Chick Lit Plus 2011 Challenge. http://chicklitplus.com/chick-lit-challenge-2/

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

The Extra Man - Official Trailer [HD]

 Thanks to NetFlix, I've been watching more movies than ever. Which don't get me wrong, makes me very, *very* happy. Movies I've never heard of, movies I didn't get a chance to see whilst in the theater...movies I refused to pay to see while in the theater because I could just *tell* they would not be worth it.

I had seen the trailer for the movie 'The Extra Man' when watching a different dvd which I had gotten from NetFlix, and spotted Kevin Klein in said title. I LOVE Kevin Klein....adore him. Ever since seeing him in 'The Pirates of Penzance', have admired and respected his works and talent. He can be hysterically funny, and unquestionably serious. He can be droll, and pull off any character he takes on. So I was excited to see 'The Extra Man' thinking it to be something of hysterical viewing. What I saw instead was a different...pleasently different and unexpected and upon watching it for a second time (becaue mom fell asleep watching it last night), I am enjoying it even more!

Give this movie a chance, watch it twice if possible to truly savor the dry comedic flavor of it. John C. Reilly plays a small, yet memorable part and shows that he too can be genious and not just Will Farrell's goofy sidekick. Part English humor, with an American twist, part classic American Literature.....this movie is a hidden gem which I am sure Kevin Klein will not get the proper recognition for.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Book Review: The Starter Wife by Gigi Levangie Grazer

The Starter WifeGracie Pollock seems to have it all. Her handsome, successful husband is president of Durango Studios, they have their usual corner table at the Ivy at the Shore, and they were dubbed “The Power Couple” in L.A. Confidential magazine. They live in a multi-million dollar mansion in Brentwood and have a beautiful daughter Jaden (named after Will Smith’s child to suck up to him and Jada). Although Gracie misses her career as a children’s book writer and sometimes questions the shallowness of their lifestyle, she’s fully absorbed in her life as “Wife of.” She never sees it coming when her husband dumps her – via Cingular Wireless no less – just shy of their ten-year anniversary (“I’ve been Cruised” – as in Tom Cruise – she says) and she finds herself living the worst fear of every Mrs. in Hollywood: Gracie has become a mere Starter Wife. She’s 41 and over the hill in a town that worships youth, beauty, and status. But when Gracie turns to her best friend Joan for some much-needed divorce therapy, she’s offered the chance to escape at her friend’s luxury condo in Malibu Colony. There, Gracie gets to know an unlikely cast of characters, including a mysterious hunk who saves her from drowning, the gated community’s security guard, and her ex-husband’s boss. Through her new relationships and time on her own, Gracie realizes that she has much more to offer than just being a Starter Wife.
 
This book is a mst-read for any woman over the age of 30 years old. Not because we're 'old', and not because this is a 'mature' or 'deep' book. But because once we (women) are 30 years old, we truly begin to realize that wedo need our girlfriends. We do need to remember that we do not need a man to define who we are, and that if we have a child that although we are a mommy, we are also a woman with her own needs. 
 
This book isn't just about the glitz and glam of Hollywood, and you won't be overly jealous that some people can afford to drop $300 dollars on  childs sweater. This book has women of all walks of life realize that we all have the same problems breathing down our necks: womanizing husbands, worrying about how we will pay the bills, will we ever find 'Mr. Right' and how will we know if we find him? Who are our true friends, and does i matter if our circle of true friends consist of only 3 people? How to forgive someone who had hurt you, and how to realize you don't need to stay with someone who is toxic. 'The Starter Wife' will have you laugh, cry, cringe,and relate to a lot of what our main character Gracie goes through.
 
You can purchase 'The Starter Wife' by Gigi Levangie Grazer at your local book store, for your E-Reader or on Amazon.com
 

My favorites of 2010!

I always profess to have soooo many favorites. Favorites of books, favorites of songs....favorites of movies. So then I thought maybe I should narrow it down to my favorites of the past year, 2010. I'll try and keep each category to 5 items. :o)

Favorite song:
  1. 'I Pray For You' by Jaron and the Long Road to Love
  2. 'Imma Be' Black Eyed Peas
  3. 'Raise Your Glass' P!nk
  4. 'Hey Soul Sister' Train
  5. 'Secrets' OneRepublic
Favorite movie:
  1. Iron Man 2
  2. Burlesque
  3. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (pt. 1)
  4. Ondine
  5. The Sorcerers Apprentice
Favorite book:

  1. The Mephisto Club by Tess Gerritsen
  2. Hit Hard by Joey Kramer
  3. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austin and Seth Grahame-Smith
  4. -
  5. -
Favorite moment:
  1. Starting my very own paranormal investigative group
  2. Deciding to go to school for journalism
  3. Making a 3-tier fondant cake for the first time
  4. Standing up for my beliefs and myself without backing down
  5. Leaving a toxic relationship/situation and not second-guessing my reasons why or looking back
Favorite TV shows:
  1. N.C.I.S.
  2. The Big Bang Theory
  3. Vampire Diaries
  4. TrueBlood
  5. Grey's Antonmy

Hello 2011.....what adventures will you bring?

Hello everyone...and welcome to the new year 2011! May it bring each of us nothing but the best: good health, love, laughter, success, and grand adventures. Have you made any new years resolutions? Not only did I fall off my diet wagon, at the end of 2010, but I all but ate anything and everything without giving a damn. Do I still plan on losing weight this year (2011)? I sure as hell do. Not only because I want to be slim and trim come June....but because my back issues have been flaring up as well, and I think it's because of the weight. But New Years resolutions shouldn't just be about outward changes. It should be about growing as a person, and shedding things which have held us back in the past.

What I am leaving behind with the past year 2010:

  • People who proclaimed to be friends, but instead were hurtful spiteful people.
  • Giving my power up to those who do not want to see me excel.
  • Wasting time dwelling on the 'what could have beens'.
  • Sinking in to sadness (this is an ongoing work-in-process.)
  • Being a procrastinator.
  • Farmville on FaceBook
What I am embracing in the new year 2011:

  • Working out more, and eating right. (No, I really mean it this time.)
  • Doing things which make me HAPPY.
  • Picking up my schoolwork and finishing my journalism degree.
  • Getting a full-time job to not only support myself, but give me a sense of self-worth.
  • Taking people up on help when I need it, as well as when they offer it.
Sometimes we take on ideas or goals which are bigger than we realize. And when we do not succeed at them right away, consider ourselves a failure or lose hope. Don't ever give up on yourself and always finish what you set out to do. Be careful of whom you let in to your life. People may seem like they have your best interests at heart, but they may actually surprise you by not being what you wish them to be. Always offer someone a smile...as you never know how badly they may need it that day. Remember to treat people the way you wish to be treated. Sometimes this is harder done than said...but if we always treated people with kindness and respect there would be a lot less negativity in the world. Keep in mind that it is okay to agree to disagree...everyone is entitled to their own belief. And most importantly...let those you love know that you love them. Because you never know when the moment will come that they are not with you to let them know how much you love them.

 People come in to your life for a season, a reason, or a lifetime. Yes when the friendship runs its course, most of the time it hurts. Sometimes it is not clear why it ended or what was the final cause for it to end. And yet on a rare occasion, when the relationship ends, sometimes you don't feel any sadness, but relief or no second thoughts about it. When the relationship ends...don't be sad and try not to be angry. Because if you think about it....you will realize the lesson you learned from this relationship. Sometimes you may think that the relationship has run its course...only to have that person resurface in your life, and to realize that the bond with this person is stronger than ever. THOSE are your true friends, your gift from God and the ones who will not judge you, but be there beside you to laugh, cry, and advise you in your life. To all my friends and family...by blood or choice...I wish you all a very happy New Year!