Snowmageddon 2016

Oh what a weekend! So if you are hnot from the East Coast then maybe you missed this little bit of news...what a snowy weekend! In Pittsburgh, in 24 hours, we went from no snow at all on the ground at all to 10 inches!!! I think it varied but where I was we measured ten inches!!! Here are a few of the pictures...

Halfway through the storm...

Saturday afternoon after we shoveled out...

 The woods behind my BF's house...

A few more at Sunset on Saturday...

As you can see, aside from shoveling Saturday and escaping to the gym Sunday...this past weekend was REALLY chill! I spent it looking at this A LOT...

And having fun with these two little cuties...

And relaxing in this amazing whirlpool tub!!!

All this...just to say...I survived Snowmageddon 2016!!

Happy Monday ya'll!

Anyone else snowed in? Anyone sled ride?

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I simply love it

Hi all my adorable blogger friends! Hope everyone is having an amazing "DAY BEFORE FRIDAY"! Yes, you read that right...it's the day before Friday! Yippee!

Today I am writing a totally unbaised, unpaid and uncompensated review of my new favorite HOT beverage Sant! You can drink this awesome stuff cold or hot but I love it hot!

Here is the description from their website...

Simple

Healthy really can be this easy

• All natural - No additives or preservatives
• Organically grown & sun-dried
• 0 calories, 0 carbs, 0 sugar
• Vitamins B & C, manganese, magnesium, potassium

Super Healthy

5X more antioxidants than Kale

The super powerful antioxidants Garcinol and HCA help restore balance to the mind and body.
HCA helps increases serotonin and regulates glycogen to

• Manage weight
• Stabilize mood
• Improve sleep

Garcinol has anti-inflammatory properties which

• Promote digestion
• Relieve joint and muscle aches
• Cleanse skin
• Fight illness and infection

Garcinia indica has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries to prevent and treat illnesses.

 This stuff is awesome! It is dehydrated Garcinia indica. I received a sample in my Stridebox last month and I love it! It tastes great in hot water (just infuse it like you would a tea bag) or along with tea!

I ordered a full size container and it came with this little note that I love! The full size packet was 50g and only $8.00 - a little goes a long way!

Here is my packet of joy...my taste buds are exploding just from looking at the picture!

Here is a look inside at the dehydrated little guys...

 My new nightly drink now consists of about 5 or 6 pieces of dried Sant in my favorite Pittsburgh mug!

Then I pop a Sleepytime tea into my Keurig...

Brew the tea right on top of the Sant and add a little sweetener of your choice.

Then you just let it steep about 5 minutes and spoon out the pieces of Sant and enjoy. It tastes a little like a tart cherry or cranberry. If you like tart you will love this! Like I said, add a little sweetener and you will be in heaven. It tastes wonderful!

I can definitely benefit from all the vitamins it infuses and also need all the healthy anti-oxidants I can get! It seems very reasonable to me as this $8 packet will last me over a month drinking it once a day. 

Again, I was not paid, reimbursed or even given product for this review - it really is something I just wanted to share with my readers since I was so very excited when I found it for myself!

It's my new favorite and I just wanted to share...I wish I could give you a sip!

Have a great day and en every better FRIDAY!

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Skate On Over

Thanks to Joyce at From This Side of the Pond for hosting another great linkup for Wednesday HodgePodge!  This is my favorite post of the week - I love meeting new friends!! Here we go!!!!!
1. Speaking of skating...when did you last 'skate on thin ice', 'skate over the details', 'encounter a cheapskate', or just plain skate?
  
I skate over the details daily! LOL! I am a very spontaneous person and not very detail oriented AT ALL! It is actually one of those weekends I am working on in my life. I tend to lean to the "the less I know the better" side of life! Not good - I know, but I just don't have time to ponder details...HA!
2. What would you say is the biggest problem of people your age? 
My age is 48 - I am not sure how to answer this. I have friends my age that have money issues or health issues or children issues. I am single and live with my fur baby cats so I tend to just be grateful for everyday and make it the best it can be.



3. What's your favorite accessory? Is it something you wear every day, often, or only on special occasions?
I got a beautiful scarf for Christmas form my friend Kathy and it is really my favorite! I love it and I get so many compliments on it when I wear it! Here it is below...

4. January 20th is National Cheese Lover's Day. Are you a lover of cheese? What's your favorite dish made with cheese? Last thing you ate that contained some kind of cheese?

I love cheese in anything and on anything but my favorite is just plain CHEESE! It is definitely my favorite food! I buy cheese by the bus loads! I love a good Huntsman or Lemon Stilton and any other cheese also but those two are my favorites!! YUM!!

5. What's something guaranteed to make you roll your eyes?
Weather forecasters who say we're going to get a lot of snow. It cracks me up! I live in Pittsburgh and everyone is at work today saying we are supposed to get so much snow over the weekend!  I will bet we get an inch, if we are lucky, and it is gone by Wednesday. Meanwhile, the groceries will sell out of milk and bread! LOL!

6. Your favorite book series?

Currently I am loving these! I am only in the middle of book two Insurgent but it is awesome!
7. Why did you choose your profession?
I fell into my profession...I did not choose it. I graduated with a Psychology degree and really wanted to help people. I found out that I could not live on any job that was willing to pay me for using my degree so I got into Computer Helpdesk work since I have always been great at computers.


I have simply worked hard and moved up from there within my current company.
 8. Insert your own random thought here.


Thanks again Joyce for hosting this each week! It is a lot fo work I am sure and I look forward to it every week!

I cant wait to read everyone's responses and get new book ideas and new friends!!! HA

Going Down...

Hi bloggy friends! I am joining Tiffany from The Dwelling Tree for her weekly blog hop! It is a great way to make new friends!! You should link up too! Hope to see you there!

I have some really exciting news to announce!!!

And no, I am NOT pregnant! HA! That ship has sailed!

But, on a more serious note, I have lost ten pounds since the beginning of the year!!

Yippee!

In the weeks leading up the New Years I thought about buying another round of Advocare or re-joining Weight Watchers for the 900th time and then I thought about it. The truth is, I know exactly what I need to do to lose weight! I don't need to spend any more money to achieve it, I just need to have the discipline to do what I know how to do!

The secret for me? Portion control! Every plan I have ever been successful at has portion control.

I exercise, I eat healthy foods...I just have no clue when to stop shoveling all that food in my mouth!

So, Since Jan 1st I have done nothing differently except measure my portions. By measure I mean, pay attention to! HA HA

Here is a sample of my food everyday now!

Breakfast - my usual morning meal shake or spinach shake (this can be Shakeology, SlimFast, Advocare, or a veggie/fruit smoothie) I have been doing this everyday all along and have just been maintaining.

Morning Snack: 24 almonds, 25 pop chips or 2 cups of raw veggies (just a REASONABLE snack that is 100-200 calories) 

Lunch - Lean Cuisine Dinner (my favorites are the squash ravioli and the basil salmon)

Afternoon snack: Fage yogurt, grapefruit segments, light cheese stick or 24 almonds (again just a REASONABLE snack that is 100-200 calories)

Dinner: Large salad (ie Friday's Chicken Apple Harvest Salad with no dressing) with grilled Chicken or Tuna Steak on top - always no dressing (maybe squeezed lemon or hot sauce if anything other than pepper).

Nightly snack: If I am really hungry, or really craving chocolate, then I will have a 60 calorie sugar-free chocolate pudding cup or some veggies but I really try to skip this now

Supplements: I always take my One A Day, Omega 3, drink one glass of Sugar-free Metamucil for the fiber, and ALWAYS over 100 oz of water each day!

Exercise: I have been working out about 3 days a week since the beginning of the year and that is it - not killing myself at all like I used to!

This may not be for everyone but it is working for me. After the first few days I was no longer hungry so I think that may be my stomach shrinking. I am so happy that the scale is finally going in the right direction! YIPPEE!!!

I will be updating my Weight Loss Tab each week until I hit goal to keep me accountable (I am looking to drop another 50 pounds!!!

Wish me luck? Anyone else having successes with their new years resolutions? Anyone else not have an off button when it comes to eating? 

What are you tips and tricks and go to healthy substitute food - I would love to hear about them!

Thanks for stopping by!! Have a happy and healthy day!!!

Another Amazing Mill Weekend

After the craziness of the holidays came to a close, my BF had a personal tragedy. 

His brother actually passed away (suicide) two days into the New Year. It was very devastating news and shook his entire family on some many levels!

He lived in Indiana with his family and the majority of the rest of the family (including my BF) all live in PA. So everyone began making their travel and hotel plans to spend time with his brothers grieving family and attend the services. I had plan to go to a Conference that weekend and I was ready to simply not go. My BF kept insisting that I go and I got sick of fighting about it so I elected to dog sit for the week and attend my Conference on the weekend. The BF left mid-week to help with arrangements, etc. and I got to keep an eye on his precious fur children! Here they are....

They are two of the sweetest dogs ever! Both are rescues and both have 3 legs (each had one leg amputated). They get along amazingly and are such sweet, cute dogs! I think we all had a great week except for missing their Daddy!

On Friday morning I left with one of my best buddies, Laura, for the Conference. This is the most rejuvenating weekend of my year! We do these conferences three times a year and they are awesome! It is at Jackson's Mill and I leave every time when it is over with a tremendous amount of serenity and peace! It really is God's country there! I was so happy that Laura ended up coming - she was very sick and still trying to fight it and came anyway!

Just a bunch of my buddies...

Our main speaker!!! Clancy I.!!! He did a great job - albeit not so humble...which confused me a little. I have never seen a speaker at this weekend event sign autographs but I guess to each his own. The me, he is not a celebrity, he is just a person sharing his story of recovery and how he found God.

Some of my very favorite people on the planet!!! This picture of me is awful but I had to post it because everyone else looks happy and adorable!

What an amazing weekend of being grateful, thankful and hanging out with some great people! The fellowship this weekend was beautiful, the Steelers won their first playoff game and, as always, I left on cloud nine! 

RIP MM

 

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TGIF!

Yippee it's Friday!!! I am so happy!! This has been one long, hard week back in the office! Bring on 5:00PM!

I and joining all my favorite ladies today for all of the fun Friday link-ups!

Today I am going to give you my favorites that come to mind as I am sitting here at work getting ready to start the day.

1.  This is my new screensaver at work in honor of Valentines Day! If you love cats then you will get it. My BF is a dog lover and he has no idea what this means - LOL!

2. Thank goodness for my pretend beach and palm tree! With the freezing weather we have had this week in Pittsburgh, I need to pretend to escape!  I know it's about time (actually really late for the cold weather we normally have) but I am just not used to it yet!

3. I recently found these and they are my new work snack! I eat them right out of the bag!! They are soooo yummy! Where have you been all my life snap peas?!?!??!

4. My favorite caffeine in winter or summer. This tea is awesomely yummy! It is perfect for those stressful days at work!

5. Finally, my re-awakened love of coloring! When I am on a stressful conference call - this is perfect! Calms me right down and I can feel my heart rate and blood pressure go down immediately!  Seriously, its fantastic!

I hope you all have an awesome weekend full of everything that makes you smile!

Anyone else rooting for the Steelers on Sunday?!?!?! WHOOP!

It's New Years 2016 in Kentucky

Hi everyone! Welcome to another catch-up post! This si a goodie though! I always have boring and dull New Years. Last year I was actually blown off on New Years eve morning by the guy I was dating - pretty bad right? My sisters family saved the day when they allowed me to come to Columbus and spend New Years with them! Last year ended up being amazing but I did not want to chance it this year!

So...I took matters in my own hands! When I heard my one and only favorite singer was having a New Years Party and concert - I knew I had to be there! I got two tickets and figured if the BF did not want to go, I would find someone that did - LOL!

So, New Years Eve Day off we went to Kentucky to see Kidrock in concert and ring in the new year with him and 30,000 other people! It was a five hour drive from Pittsburgh and we had beautiful weather! Stopped a few times for potty breaks and arrived with time to spare! We went to dinner at Waffle House (my first time trying one and I was not impressed...I like pancakes) and then got ready to head to the KFC Yum Center.

Waiting in line to get into the KFC Yum! Center!

One of the first couples there!!! I could hardly stand the excitement!

A picture with my sweetie and our lovely hats!!!!

The one and only Kidrock - he is the one in the white suit! LOL




Another picture when the flag dropped for Born Free!

And the countdown started.....at 11:59 he came back on the stage and started the countdown. At midnight everyone kissed, etc. (not your neighbor...just the one you were with...HA) and then he sang Happy New Year!!! His version that is; which is hilarious and one of my favorites!

Throughout the concert I got text messages from this cutie wishing me a Happy New Year! That was great too!

And my phone sent me this reminder from last year's New Years Eve which is hilarious if you know the back story!! That's another blog post though! LOL!

I hope everyone has a Happy New Year in 2016! Let's all be happy, helpful and supportive of each other in the new year!

Thanks for following and reading! I really am grateful for all of you that stop by and I love that so many of you want to be my blogging friends! 

I truly wish you all a blessed, full and beautiful life!!!!!

 Anyone else do something different for New Years? Do you prefer to go out or stay home? Anyone else not know that the Waffle House does not make Pancakes?

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Ogelbay Festival of Lights

More Christmas updates! So late I am ... ! LOL

For the first time EVER I got to see the lights at Ogelbay Resort Park. I am from Pittsburgh and around the holidays ALL you hear are ads to go see the amazing lights. It is a resort park and you drive through in your car and look at all the lights sent up all over the grounds. In all my 47 years I had never been to see them.

After hinting to the BF for a few days; we piled into his van and drove to Ogelbay for the Festival of Lights!!! Yippee!! The recommended donation is $25 per car or $35 if you want the CD so we went big and got the CD! LOL

Apparently I am not talented enough at my iPhone to take pictures out of the window of a slowly moving vehicle and have them NOT be blurry! You may also notice, no snow on the ground at all! We went two days before Christmas and it was a snow-less Christmas here in Pittsburgh this year!  Here are the few clear pictures I got..

LOVE!

So cute!

As clear a Santa gets...HA! It really was a lot of fun although I did not get a lot of pictures. The whole tour took about 1 hour and we opted out of stopping at the gift shop but I am sure they had a lot of cute souvenirs to purchase! We will be going back next year FOR SURE!

Then we returned to the BF's house to make our first fire of the season! YEA! There was no snow but it sure was cold that night! Snuggling and fires is what Winter is ALL about for me!!! In case anyone is interested; we re-decorated the fireplace at his house and got this awesome fire screen and fireplace tool-set from Crate and Barrel. It looks perfect with all the wood in the house - I loved it online and it is even better in person! PS-It's on sale now!

GO STEELERS!!!! WHOOP! WHOOP!
 

I hope everyone has an amazing weekend!!!

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