WELCOME 2014?? Where have I been the last 2 years...Busy as HELL!! Just now realized I have abandoned this blog and pursued several other avenues in life- Time to reflect and move ahead in my attempt to chronicle my beautiful chaos, LIFE! CHEERS~

Stay tuned for more...

Welcome 2012!!- What Will this Year Bring?

As the New Year begins, we are all compelled to review our accomplishments from the previous year and set new goals for the year ahead...I know that I am blessed and have the opportunity to do many things. This year is no different, but some personal changes will play a key into what I hope will be a GREAT year for ME!

• Shaina has moved to Kansas City, MO- so, she is no longer just a drive away...
• Andrew has graduated High School, turned 18 and is trying to figure out his future- so, I hope I can be of help without making his life more difficult.
• Dave has finally found a job in his field of restaurant managing that should make him happier and more appreciated than past jobs as of late-so, that means longer hours/ different shifts and the need to plan time for each other, well enough in advance. He is bummed with the fact he will not be writing his own schedule and vacation time is limited, but the pay off should be worth it!!
• My job is Great- working hard, being challenged and rewarded every day!! 
• My network of friends (Goddess Gang) is still holding strong and true!! We have done so many FUN and Memorable things in 2011, that 2012 will be just as exciting!

What do I hope to do better in 2012? Here goes...

1. Working Out!!

2. Cook Often at Home....

3. Love More!

4. Dance for the Hell of It-

5. Attend more Coffee Dates!

6. Plan and Take Road Trips to Visit Loved Ones Far Away

7. Actually Read Books for Fun!

8. Martini Mondays with Others!!!

9. Goddess Lunch Dates

10. POOL TIME!

11. Stop Procrastinating!!!!!!!!!!!!!

12. Continue the Survivor Fun with the Neighbors-

13. More Bike and Scooter Rides

14. Perhaps another tattoo?

15. Start Golfing (or get to the driving range more often)

16. Beer Growler Wednesday/ Brewery Tours and Beer Festivals

17. Quality Hammock Time

18. GODDESS ADVENTURES~

19. Date Nights with My Man

20. LIVE LIFE TO IT'S FULLEST



I Made A Funny

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bridesmaidsmovie.com%2Ftrailerfeature%2F%3Fid%3D1305382080735&h=b44a5

You MUST check out this link for the movie Bridesmaids- It features us Goddesses!

Bikini Ready Count Down

45 DAYS!!!

That's how long till my pool across the street opens and my Goddess Float Days Begin! And, as I sit here planning all the fun ahead, I realize that I am not 100% ready to sport the bikini just yet.

My confidence is still strong from the physical change I acquired last year (losing 20 pounds and putting on a bikini for the first time since high school) but I would like to get the body a little more toned and "firm".
The workout room sits awaiting my arrival and the kettlebells have a thin layer of dust...I LOVE to work out! I just need to work out MORE OFTEN! The routine I had last year was perfect. And over the winter it was non existant...so, with 45 days and counting I am going to make a vow that I WILL put Jillian in the DVD player, the elliptical will hum once again and the sweet smell of sweat will be apparent down the hall- tho I mask it with an oil diffuser. Watch out World, I'm gonna get toned and make my mini muffin dissapear!!

http://freerangekids.wordpress.com/


Need to Check this out...

My Birth day...week...month...season

So, April has rolled around and I am faced with a day of celebrating another year older (GASP!)
Thinking about it, I decided to take time off from work and make it a Celebratory Birth Week instead! I had visions of doing fun things with family, friends and even solitary moments each and every day I had. Such was not really the case, but I still enjoyed my time non the less...And after it was all said and done, Taking time to enjoy ones self is very important! Family...Friends...THEY are the true Celebration!!

                                                                                                   

Day one was a slow start with a cup of coffee in my Goddess mug- (must celebrate the right way). Some hot tub time with the hubby and nothing but FB, catching up on soaps and renting a red box movie. Grilled a fabulous steak dinner with an amazing salad and a bottle of wine...HEAVEN! A girl could get use to this.
More days of relaxing were on the agenda and the weather seemed to cooperate some. Wind was the one down fall on a few occasions, but Dave and I did enjoy an afternoon on the back porch playing Skip-Bo while soaking in the sun. Drew flew to California middle of the week and once he was on the plane, Dave and I snuck to BlackHawk for two nights!! Always great to get away and relax somewhere else...Did fairly well on the slots, Won $200 at Fortune Valley but Dave was not as fortunate.
Got a chance to hang with Tami and redeem my birthday burger at Red Robin- which is the best part of having a birthday-all the freebies you get sent via mail and online. I am set with eating out for a couple of weeks!!
Had margaritas with some of the Goddesses. This was to help my Rita Madness Team mostly- 3 strawberry Presidentes later, Tami, Ashley and myself called it a night. Good Times!

The day of my birthday was spent with My Hubby and Shaina. We met at Centerra for lunch at Rock Bottom. Had snacky poo poos and a beer. ( Shaina's treat ) Then proceeded to Old Navy and got a few, spring like articles- LOVE shopping moments with the daughter!!
Went home and continued with a movie, pizza and a bottle of Moscato. Family time is truely the best.

THEN, A Goddess luncheon to help finish off a perfect week...Not all where there to represent, but anytime we can attempt to get together works for me! Lunch was at Olive Garden. Tami, Tracy, Sue, Jen and I were sat at a large booth which happened to be the "birthday section" since Happy Birthday was being sang to the group behind us. Tami pulled out a bag of goodies and proceeded to decorate me with a sparkly blue tiara like garland, a birthday sash and buttons to announce that I am "over the hill". All I could think was..."Payback's a Bitch". (Tami's 40th is coming in July) shhhh.
Lunch was amazing and the topic of "food porn" was brought up. I realize now that all the pictures I've taken of beautiful meals has a name! sweet! So, in honor of this new understanding...

FOOD PORN

                                                

And what would a birthday be without gifts?? And my friends seem to know me fairly well. We even played a game called "How well do you know the birthday bitch"? Let's just say that the questions were a tad risque and could get a gal in trouble! Check out my schwag- Love it!

 Here's me sporting it all-
Gotta love my goddess gals, Thanx for a wonderful Day!!


So, in ending this entry about my 43rd year on this planet, I can tell you this- Enjoy the time you have, Embrace each day, Remember your past, Learn from mistakes, Laugh often, and Love always!
If I only knew then, what I know NOW!!!! 
Getting old ain't so bad...


The old age of an eagle is better than the youth of a sparrow.

   Proverb quotes

A Goddess Celebration

ps. My birthday continues with a GIRL'S TRIP to Black Hawk in a week- so, there's more to come!

Got Ink?

Fresh Ink

A week ago, Two friends and I went to a tattoo shop. Only 2 of the 3 were actually going to get work done. Ashley, my kid sister/ other daughter/ dear friend and I have been planning this day for awhile. Tami would NEVER consider the idea of this "mutilation" but came as support and comic relief. Now, this is not my first tattoo... I commemorated my 40th birthday with one before (actually two). A black cat on the back of my neck and a paw print on my upper right back matching the one my daughter got on her back hip.
Knowing what my next tattoo would be was not the trouble, just the idea of where and HOW it was going to look. That was my dilemma. But I knew it had to have color! So when the sketch was done by Joel at "Black Atlas" in Fort Collins, CO- it all came together and within 3 hours, I had new art on my body.
The plumeria flowers are significant in many ways. I love that they are strong in sturdiness, fragrance and beauty! When Dave & I went to Maui, I fell in love with the flower and knew then it was a tattoo choice for sure. I got 4 to symbolize each family member, and I am able to admire my work of art in a mirror or by simply looking to my left shoulder. I LOVE IT!!