Friend Makin' Monday - the Holidaze and more - part 2

Happy Monday!  

Woohoo! I'm so happy that the studio didn't get any info (or calls / emails returned) about dancing at the Lions halftime show on Thanksgiving.  I get 3 evenings to myself instead of running off to Ford Field every night!   

I went to another annual craft show with mom & the sisters this weekend - look at what I bought!!

I totally need a good drag queen name for her.  I put the pic on FB and I really like my niece's suggestion of "Fantasia".  Yes, I name inanimate objects.  It's truly easier when you have a big display like I do at Halloween to name them, since when I tell Miss Angela that 'Jayne' needs to be moved or something, she knows exactly which prop that is.   However I don't do that as much at Christmas.  I have approximately 75 gazillion nutcrackers - they're not all being named!!

Onto FMM ....



If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section over at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

The Holidays and More: Part 2

1. What state/country do you live in? SE Michigan (clearly, since I mentioned going to Ford Field!!!)

2. Where were you born? Were you raised there? I was born in a little town about 15 miles from where I live now.  My mom still lives in the house her & Dad bought when they got married 50+ years ago (Dad passed away 10/09 and they'd had their 50th anniversary 4/09) . That's where all of us grew up.  The only time I lived outside of Michigan was during my 8 years in the Navy.   I will note that if hubby says we're moving to Arkansas (where he's from) I'd be packing before he finished the sentence!

3. How do you feel about stores like Wal-mart opening on Thanksgiving Day for pre-Black Friday sales? Will you participate? I think it's crap and there's no way I will subject myself to such asshattery. My deepest sympathy to the employees that have to work in that.

4. Have you ever participated in a Turkey Trot? Will you do one this year? No.  I'm sure there will be walks taken around my sister's house.

5. What was your favorite toy as a child? I was odd.  I loved playing outside, so I had my worms & dirt. I also had a bunch of Barbies and a Raggedy Ann doll that went everywhere with me.  I was so sad when Ann fell apart, but I managed to find another, almost identical one at the Salvation Army and had to get her!  This one has a different dress and made of sturdier material, but she still has the embroidered "I Love You" on her chest.  

6. Will you count points/calories on Thanksgiving Day?  Keeping Kenlie's answer..... I’m always aware of how much I eat (even when it’s too much.) I won’t eat everything that I see on Thanksgiving, but I won’t count the points too closely either. (I should. I know I should…I’m just being honest about it.)

7. Will you watch football Thursday?  Most likely.  We know the Lions will be playing!

8. Do you decorate inside/outside of your home for the holidays?  Yes!  I'm slowly gathering Thanksgiving / Harvest decor, but I started to choke it out already by bringing in the Nutcracker Army to I could check them all over for needed repairs / restorations.  I have a bunch of Christmas blowmolds that will go in the yard on Saturday.

9. Do you have allergies that prevent you from eating traditional holiday meals? Nope. Unless you could the fact that I break out in fat?

10. Is it snowing where you live?  We've had some flurries, but nothing major yet. Cold enough to cause ice crystals in your nose, tho!

Now it’s your turn to answer this week’s questions. Don’t forget to come back and link up in the comments. We had some new FMM-ers last week so let’s be sure to make them feel welcome this week! Happy Monday, friends

Friend Makin' Monday - Holidaze!

We had such a fun weekend! I'm sure I've gained at least 25 lbs (small exaggeration - probably just 20) from not even thinking about Weight Watchers or good choices. My daughter & her competition dance team had a convention for the whole weekend. Granted most of the day (while they were dancing with various choreographers), I sat on my ass and watched, but the evening made up for it! Story Here

But I found it was easier to use the stairs in the hotel than to use the elevator. The ballrooms and most of our suites were on the end of the wing, and the elevators were in the middle of the building. The door to the stairs was right outside our door. However, I was happy to realize later that each time I ran from ballroom to suite, I did RUN up those stairs!

Anyhow, some tired kids last night!! We had to leave the hotel & go get the dog from my sister & that ended up being a 90 minute + drive, and I did see Angel going head bobs over there, but she didn't want to recline her seat! What a goof!

Onto FMM.....



If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section over at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

Holidays

1. What are you plans for Thanksgiving this year? Usually I have to go crazy running Miss Angel and extra girls to Ford Field for the Detroit Lions Halftime show rehearsals, but we haven't gotten any info yet so I don't think it's actually happening this year. I have a half day of work Wednesday, and she doesn't have school, so we'll go to my sister's house like usual. We will probably stay til Saturday or until I get tired of them!

2. At what point do you being celebrating the Christmas season? Friday after Thanksgiving, I will help my sister drag her Christmas stuff out of storage and put up her tree. I will start putting my stuff out when I get home. That's when I will finally start maybe turning on that one radio station that has been playing Christmas music since before Halloween.

3. Do you celebrate Christmas, or do you celebrate another holiday? Yes!

4. If you could have one present (you know, a material good, not love or world peace) what would you want? I'd love a new car, but that won't happen. So I want an Amazon card so I can get more books for my Kindle.  And cute underwear.

5. Share an idea or two that you can plan to do for someone who may need to feel loved throughout the holiday season. Hmmm. We always send gifts & gift cards to Randy's mom who lives alone in Arkansas. That was she can go out to dinner with her sister or whoever. We spend every other year with her, but this is our "off" year. His sister is there, but she's pretty useless. And he is leaving next Saturday to drive down and spend Thanksgiving with her.

6. Would you rather spend the holiday season on the beach or in the snow? I am a Northern girl. I like the cold! I had to spend a Christmas alone in California one year while in the Navy - there were 2 different report dates listed on my orders to a new command, so I, of course, opted to check in at the earlier one and my ship was out to sea! So I had a room on base and put up a little tree and the presents I'd received from home. But it didn't feel like Christmas at all!

7. What is your favorite Thanksgiving food? All of it!

8. Will you participate in Black Friday shopping? Hell.To.The.No. I don't care much for shopping to begin with and I sure won't go throw myself into a crazy shopping fray!

9. Will you travel for the holidays or stay at home? If you’re traveling, are you flying or driving or making alternate plans? Driving to my sister's - about 40 minutes.

10. List at least 5 things for which you are currently thankful.

• my family & critters
• my worldly possessions (roof over my head, dependable car, clothes to wear, etc)
• my job
• everyone's health
• my talents & creativity

Now it’s your turn to answer this week’s questions! Don’t forget to come back and link up in the comments.  Happy Monday, friends!

Ugh, where is that wagon??? 13 in 13 update

So yeah - I've totally fallen off the wagon lately.  I haven't been tracking, I've been shoveling Halloween candy in like there's no tomorrow and I haven't done a bit of actual exercise.  So the 2 lb gain I had this week really isn't a big surprise.  Being sick for the past week or so hasn't helped me out in the slightest!

So here are my monthly progress reports - since I've sucked badly at posting the weeklies.

For my 13 in 13 update - basically I failed in just about all aspects of it for October.  Sure didn't attend all the meetings, I haven't been posting my weekly progress reports, I did do OK with the activity points.  Meal planning has been so-so. 15 minutes per day working on the house - HA!  I did however, have a fence around the cemetery at Halloween!  That was a goal!  Granted I had bought 4 rolls (60 feet total) of 2' tall garden fencing from Lowe's, but it looked great!  And as for veggies....meh.  But tonight, since I'm home alone....I had Sweetly Sauteed Brussels Sprouts.  I think it's supposed to be a side, but I had it alone.  Pretty tasty!  A whole lot better than boiled & swimming in butter!

So for November, we're supposed to think about random acts of kindness that we can do.  Every year, I always put $$ in every Salvation Army red kettle that I pass.  I already know that I will have a carload of girls this year driving to Ford Field 3 days in a row, for rehearsals for the Lion's halftime show on Thanksgiving. That helps out several other parents. And while we're at my sister's house at Thanksgiving, I always go out & take care of the horses for her so she can sleep in.  Are acts of kindness selfish if you enjoy doing them??

Anyhoooo, I'm going to be more conscious of my blogging (do it more!!) and also getting back on the program.  Along with those 2 lbs, I've noticed that I feel blah.  It didn't help that we had family portraits last night & the pose we did was not exactly flattering for either Randy or I.

However, I do really like this one!

Have a great week!

Friend Makin' Monday - Food Matters (late!!)

UGH! I was so busy trying to stay busy so I didn't crash yesterday that I didn't get to FMM! I've been sick for about a week and am just getting over it. On the plus side, I got a ton done at work, most of the outdoor Halloween stuff (and I have a LOT) put away and went to the kid's dance studio to do some more painting - this time in the staff lounge. There's not a wall in that place that I haven't painted and I'm pretty sure there's not anything else to do. Finally!

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section over at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

Food Matters

1. Are you familiar with GMO’s? Is it an issue that matters to you? I have a hard time believing something created in a lab can be good for us. I keep picturing evil scientists.

2. List a few items that are typically on your grocery list. Fresh fruits & veggies, milk, yogurt.

3. What is your favorite place to shop for produce? I usually go to the little local Hollywood Market- they have an awesome meat counter! But only the basics for produce. If I want a bigger selection, I go to Kroger.

4. Do you eat processed foods? Yes. Not as much as I used to, tho. Oh wait. Lean Cuisines / Smart Ones are processed - I usually take those for lunch at work.

5. Do you look for the “organic” label when you shop? Not really.

6. What did you eat for breakfast this morning? Oatmeal with some protein powder, Greek yogurt & PB2 mixed in.

7. How many meals per week do you cook at home? Hmm, breakfast & lunch - hardly ever. On the weekends, it's usually "fend for yourself". We eat when we get hungry. Dinners I'd have to say 6 times a week. It's tough to work around the hubby being late at work and the crazy dance schedule the kid has.

8. Do you think that foods that have been genetically engineered should be labeled? Totally!

9. What matters most to you when you’re choosing a restaurant? Atmosphere & the menu.

10. What is your favorite meal to cook at home? Oh, there are lots! Spaghetti & lasagna go over well with the picky-asses (kid & hubby). Anything on the grill is good. Basically, things I know the noses won't be turned up at & actually happily eaten.