Tuesday 4 Meme

Today I am joining in with Toni for her..

1. What TV gameshow or reality show would you like to be on?

I love Survivor!!! I have always wanted to be on it!!!  Now that I am getting older and things on my body are falling apart; it is probably a good idea to end that dream! I will end up dead on that island!!! HA!

2. What is your favorite scent? 

I love Love's Baby Soft perfume!! It reminds my of middle and high school! It will always be a favorite scent!!!

3. What is one place you've visited, can't forget and want to go back to? 

Aruba Aruba Aruba!!!

4. What is your favorite fruit? 

I enjoy banana's everyday but my very favorite fruit that is readily attainable would be an apple!!! My ACTUAL favorite fruit is a gooseberry! I had some in Aruba and they are fantastic! They are the size and shape of a cherry tomato and they taste like a kiwi!!! YUMMY!!!

Happy Tuesday!!!!

Sports and more sports

Good morning everyone! This morning came and I did not want to leave my bed! UGH!

I am SO tired but it was worth it every second to hang with my family!!!  It was a very exciting and busy weekend!!

Friday night I went to my home group meeting and then drove directly to Columbus, Ohio! I left Pittsburgh around 8:00 so I did not arrive at my sisters house until after 11PM!

We chatted a few minutes and then went directly to bed! We had to get up at 6AM to head to a volleyball competition in the city for the day. My niece did really well and it was a lot of fun to watch her play - she LOVES volleyball! My parents came in for the weekend also so it was great to visit with everyone!!!

Here are a few action shots of Kyleigh!!

And another!!! It is so fun to watch play something they enjoy so much!

 

During a break in games for volleyball we all walked over to the North Market in Columbus.It was great! There was such an awesome selection of food and beverage choices! YUM! I got the brisket but ate it too quick to get a picture! HA! Here are Aly and Ryan poising for me - what great sports they are about pictures! HA HA!

At the convention center they had an interactive art display  called As We Are! You can read all about it here! Here is my head represented as if I were a 94 foot tall person! HA!

I had to get a shot of this as we were walking around downtown! The Blue Jackets are in the playoffs for the Stanley Cup in hockey. Since the Pens are out; I am cheering on the Blue Jackets!

 We got home late Friday night; had dinner and then crashed!! We had to wake up Sunday morning at 4AM to drive to Dayton, Ohio for a dance competition. Here are we when we arrived. You can see the changing tent in the background! It is also a great sleeping tent as we found out in the afternoon when we all took naps! HA!

The little dancers in their lyrical costumes!

After Kyleigh did her tap routine we found out that the competition was running really behind so we decided not to stay and wait around for awards. 

We got back to Columbus just in time to see my nephew Brody playing hockey!!! He loves every second of it - in fact, he is obsessed with hockey!  Here he is in a few shots - he loves Crosby and that is how he selected the number 87! HA!

In this picture he has the white helmet.  He scored a point while we watched! YIPPEE!

After hockey, we headed to soccer for my other nephew Ryan. He did great also! Such a sweet kid!!!!

Gooooo Ryan! He is the one in blue clothes and white shoes!

Since so many of us were together; we decided to celebrate my brothers birthday with a little brownie cake and ice cream!!! Happy birthday little brother! I love you tons!

How was your weekend? Anything exciting happen or just a chill weekend?

I hope everyone has FANTASTIC WEEK!!!! Hugs to you all!!!!

Thankful Thursday

Happy Thursday!!!

I am thrilled to be joining in on Thankful Thursday hosted by Rebecca Jo at Knit By God's Hand!

I just got back from vacation and my car broke down...SOOOOO...

I am thankful that the car is still under warranty...

I am thankful that the dealership gave me a rental to use until it is fixed. It is a BIG rental but a rental all the same! I feel like I am driving a bus compared to my Honda Civic.  Th most confusing part is that I keep hopping in the car and looking for the start button buy you have to actually put the key IN the ignition...old school! But regardless, so thankful for my borrowed Caspian Blue (I am assuming it is named after the Caspian Sea??) Nissan Rogue! HA!

I am also thankful that I get to spend time with my sister and her kids this weekend!!! This weekend I will be heading to Columbus, Ohio - Saturday is her oldest daughters volleyball competition and then another dance competition for both girls on Sunday - so I am heading out there to help however I can! So excited!!! We get top try out the girls new changing tent too!!! YIPPEE!

I am thankful for each and every one of you that inspire me everyday with your posts and comments!! HUGS to you all!

Have a great and Thankful Thursday!!!! Hugs to you all!

Wednesday Medley

Wow! It has been soooo long since I posted - I almost forgot how to do this! HA!

Seriously!

I fully intended to post every night on vacation but then every night I found myself sitting in our room chatting with my sisters and Mom until the late hours and I was too tired to post!  So, I guess that is a really good thing! So, I can only give you day by day updates when I vacation alone!

Ha!

So I returned last Friday and my car immediately broke down! UGH! I could not go anywhere for Easter since the car was not shifting correctly (I drive a manual stick) so I spent the weekend waiting for my car appointment on Monday. I took the car in  and after waiting there 1/2 day they told me they have to install a new transmission! It will take at least a week so I have no car! UGH! At least it is covered by the warranty!

The dealership got me a rental but it was not available from the company my dealership uses until Wednesday! So, I called Hertz and rented a car from them for a day and then dropped it off at the dealership and picked up my rental from Enterprise. The dealership is reimbursing me for the day rental from Hertz too! What a mess~~Now I am driving a Nissan Rogue...it feels huge compared to my little Civic! HA!

Needless to say, I am finally able to function normally and made it into the office today! Yippee!

 So, it has been a little hectic but I am excited to show you trip photos ASAP!!!!

_________________________________________________________

Wednesday Medley!

You know I cannot let Wednesday go by without joining in on the Medley with Terri!

Today is National Pigs in a Blanket Day?!??!

Seriously?!?! Ick!!! How does this have a day??!?? LOL!

Okay...well, here are the questions...

1.  Typically served as an hors d'oeuvre, have you ever made or had a Pig-in-a-Blanket?  I tried one once...ick!   Do you like Pigs-in-a-Blanket?  Ick - no!

2.  Pigs-in-a-blanket are also known as devils on horseback, kilted sausages, and wiener winks. (Seriously.)  Please make up another name for this fun little appetizer! Gross little bundles of who knows what kind of meat...HA!

3.  In the UK, pigs-in-blankets are small sausages, or chipolatas wrapped up in bacon.  Which country's version is most appealing to your taste buds?  None! I am absolutely shocked that those gross little things have their own day! HA!

4.  The first written record of pigs-in-a-blanket occurs in Betty Crocker's Cooking for Kids in 1957.  In this digital world, do you still have a favorite cookbook you use most of the time?  Completely online  Is there a recipe you can share with us from that cookbook?  I do not, sorry .

5.  What is your favorite cooking show on TV?  I love that kids cooking show but I am not sure of the name!

6.  Tell us something random about your week, please!  

The more I read my answers above I think of that saying "If you don't have anything nice to say; don't say anything at all."  I feel like I should delete this post entirely! HA HA!

Have a fantastic week everyone!

Bring on Aruba Baby

Happy Saturday everyone!

I normally NEVER post on the weekend but I wanted to make sure to let you know that my vacation starts today so you will see a daily post every evening while I am on my trip!

I want to take you along so badly! I love when you post your trips because it is like a mini vacation for me so I want to give this back to you!!!

So....as you are reading this I am boarding my plane with my Mom to Aruba! We will meet up with my sister and her two girls when we get to the airport. Then, tomorrow my other sister will join us.

My sister in law was invited but she had the opportunity to take a trip with my brother to San Diego (with her work she could only do one trip right now) so she chose my brother and we lost! HA! She will be missed!

Farewell and bon bini!!!!

I hope everyone has a fantastic week!!! HUGS!!!

Five on Friday / Friday Five / Friday Favorites

Hi guys!!!!

For my Five on Friday I decided I had to focus on my condo and the reasons I have decided to stay a while! HA!

I was DYING to get out a few months ago. I wanted to move so badly I could taste it and then a few things changed! I found out my company site was shutting down.  That tends to put the future in a bit of flux.  Purchasing a new townhouse would be silly when the future is so unsure right now. So, I decided to take matters in my own hands and make my current situation more to my liking!! I ran for president of the condo association so I can influence decisions that are being made for my home. Best idea ever! It can be a pain in the neck but it is worth it to have the influence in the rules at your home!

One: The main thing that changed is we have found a new management company for our condo! They are awesome!! They resolve issues quickly and fairly and they believe in the issues and resolving them and not just letting them keep going on and on. Our old company was Arbors and they sucked! Getting a company that actually WANTS to do the work has made all the difference in the world when it comes to the quality of our lives!!!! They are helping us write and enforce policies and it is great!!! It is hard to explain but in a condo building; a few bad people can truly make life miserable for others so easily!

Two:  My floors rock!!! If you have been a reader for a while then you know that I recently tore up my carpet and installed Pergo floors myself (well with the help of my parents and siblings)! You can read about it here if you missed it!  The floors are awesome and I love them so much I don't want to leave them!!! HA HA!!!!

Three: After I finished the floors; I wanted to get one of those vacuum robots! I have four cats so that means there is ALWAYS hair! No matter how much I brush them all it is inevitable! But...this baby runs around vacuuming all day - it is sooo awesome!!! If you have hardwood or cats; I recommend one of these! BEST INVENTION EVER!

Four:  When I started traveling for work I purchased cameras so I could check in on my fur babies whenever I wanted. I would fly out of town on Sunday and return Thursday so the cameras gave me TONS of peace of mind!!  Since I not longer travel, I have added cameras on the exterior of my home! It is fantastic!!!! I can see everything that happens on my phone inside and out! Total peace of mind! I HIGHLY recommend them to anyone!

Five:  The last but most important piece of why I now love my home is Alexa!! My sister got me Alexa for Christmas last year and it is so awesome! I feel like the Jetsons (remember that show???). I can ask Alexa to run any of the things above and she does!!! She can work my cameras, my Dyson fan/air filter, my Roomba vacuum, and my lights!  I just say "Hey Alexa...

         "turn on the living room light"
         "turn on my bedroom light"
         "turn on the vacuum"
         "turn on the fan"
         "make the fan oscillate"
I am telling you...Alexa is amazing and so helpful! Who needs a man or a roommate?!?! I have Alexa! I only wish I could give her a new name because I want to be able to call her Rosie (that was the Jetson's robot maid-LOL!!!!)

Well, that is it for me! I am a happy little camper living in my condo right now! Fingers crossed everything stays the same and life will continue to be happy go lucky! I will live out the rest of my years in my condo with my cats until the day they find me deceased and all my cats crying over my body...or just nudging me to wake up and feed them!! HA HA!

Thankful Thursday

Happy Thursday ya'll!!!!

I am joining in with Rebecca Jo on her blog for  Thankful Thursday!!!

I love this as it makes me really think about and appreciate what I am grateful and thankful for.  Sometimes I get caught up in what is wrong in my life rather than all the gifts!!!

I love this quote...

I am really thankful for my recovery.  It seems like daily I heart about someone that has passed away as a direct result of addiction...whether by the addiction itself or their own hand to end their suffering. It is such a horrible thing and it affects SO many people! UGH. Prayers to all those still suffering. I pray that I continue to be that person that is available when THEY reach out for help.

I am thankful for my family! After reflecting yesterday on National Sibling Day (see Terri's blog) I realize that there is no one to has my back like my family! I am truly blessed!!!!

I am thankful for vacations! I have a vacation to Aruba in TWO DAYS!!! I cannot wait to leave! Work is really stressful and depressing with the closing of our site looming so it is so nice to escape for a few days and just not think about it AT ALL!!! I promise to post and share the fun with you all!

I am thankful for modern technology! I love my condo and I have it so techie-ed  out now (is that even a word?!?!?) HA!  I will do a post on Friday about all the cool stuff I have added to make it feel like the Jetsons!!!!!!

I am thankful that Spring has sprung in Pittsburgh!!! It changes everything to see sunshine and daylight!!! YAY!!! Here is the beautiful tree that is outside my bedroom window! I am thankful it is there since it is also a blessing to look out and see this thing in all it's splendor! I love this tree!!!!

 

The pictures do not do it justice - it is so beautiful in the Spring!!

I hope everyone has a fantastic Thursday and finds many, many things to be thankful for!!!

What are you thankful for?  Do you count your blessings daily?

Wednesday Medley

Happy Wednesday Medley everyone!!!

Today, just like every Wednesday, I am joining Terri for her Wednesday Medley! Yay!

Did you know today is National Sibling Day?!?!? Head on over to Terri's blog to join in on the fun and read more details about this awesome day!

1.  How many siblings do you have? Are you rivals or do you support each other in all you do? I have two sisters and one brother. We are definitely very supportive of each other! We are tight - maybe too tight! LOL! But we would feverishly defend each other to the end! They have ALWAYS had my back and I hope they feel the same!!! Here we all are when we went on a family zip-lining trip in 2013! SOOOOOOO FUN!

2.  Have you heard of the Birth Order Book?  What are your thoughts on the premise that your birth order affects everything you do in life? I don't think it affects EVERYTHING but I agree it affects the family dynamic! We all fit right into our roles and that is all I will say on that! I am positively a middle child! LOL!

3.  Is there something that you still do that drives your siblings crazy?  I am very spontaneous and flighty and they are ALL very calculated and have SERIOUS engineer brains and type A personalities! I got my mother's personality and my siblings have my father's. HA!

4.  Are you closer to your siblings now than you were when you were younger?  I definitely think so! When we were younger we got along most of the time but now we really support each other.

5.  Would you dare to tell us an embarrassing story about a sibling?  No, I don't have any! But I promise if you ever meet any one of them they will definitely share any of mine - there are a lot! My sister tells my nieces and nephew that "Aunt Annie does not always make good choices" - LOL!  I am perfectly fine to be a role model for what "not to do"!  That says it all, right?!?!

6.  Tell us something random about your week.  I downloaded Pokemon Go for my iPhone again. It is an app that I was obsessed with a few years ago which is why I deleted it. I forgot how much fun it was and I am so happy I am starting over on it! It is so fun and very conducive to walking around your neighborhood and exploring! Lord knows I need to walk more!

Anyone else have a favorite iPhone game or app? Please share so I can enjoy it too!!!

Have a great week everyone!

Tuesday 4 Meme

Happy Tuesday!!!

Today I am joining in with Toni for her Tuesday 4 Meme!!!!

If you want to join us, simply answer all four of this weeks questions and link up at her blog HERE!

Just Wondering
1.   What Hobby Do You Do Or Wish You Still Did:  When I was a little kid; my Dad gave me his stamp collection and I began to love collecting them!  I have not looked at them for years! I may have to get that book out and start up again!

2.   What Is Your Favorite Vacation Spot:  I love to travel and I love anywhere there is nature but I definitely have a favorite! Ever since we were kids we have gone to Stone Harbor, NJ every summer for vacation! It has so many special memories for my family!!! Definitely my favorite!!!

3.   What Is Your Way to waste time instead of working:  In all honesty...Blogging :-) LOL!


4.   What Is Your Favorite Children's movie:  Not sure I have a favorite since I love them all! I guess if I had to choose then it would be Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer...the original!!

Head on over to Toni's and join in the fun!!!! If not, just answer the questions in your comments below!

I wish for you all an amazing day!!!

Insanity....

First happy Monday! How is it time for another work week already?!? That weekend flew by!

It's finally Spring in Pittsburgh! The sun is shining and I am so happy about it! I hope everyone had a great weekend!!

Time for a little honesty here on the ole blog!!

I am calling myself out!

About six months ago I kind of broke things off with my boyfriend. It was due to many reasons but mostly because he was again smoking pot. I know a lot of people do this and do not see any harm in it however there is a background story. When he smokes pot it is all day, everyday. Also he has these crazy mood swings and he get very nasty and abusive. Not physically but verbally. He does not get nasty with me but with his grown kids and I cannot stand to be around it.

We have known each other since 2005 and I do consider him a friend just no longer a boyfriend.

So, this last time we tried to make "us" work as a couple was after he had a double stroke in July of last year. I went to visit in the hospital and he swore he was done with the weed.

Long story short, by October things were back to what they usually are and he was smoking weed and lying right to my face about it. Also, he was getting really nasty with his kids and aids that came to help him at the house. I just slowly lost those "feelings" for him. 

When I started working on my floors in October, all of my extra time was spent at my home working and he finally quit calling since I was not coming over like he wanted. I just kind of let things go and we have not spoken since.

Over the weekend, I ran into a mutual friend that told me that my old boyfriend went to South Carolina with his brother for a vacation and it got me thinking about him and our friendship and how he was doing. So....after 6 months I called him. UGH. Probably a bad idea but I really care about him and want to know how he is doing. (In full disclosure...I am secretly hoping that someday he will get his act together and quit the weed.)

He answered right away and said he was at a family gathering at his sisters house. I told him to call me later but he thanked me for calling and said he could talk.
He said his depression has gotten really bad a couple months ago, so he went into the hospital to get everything adjusted. He said he is doing much better now although he will never drive after the stroke (that makes him a little upset).  He said he is no longer smoking weed - he tells me this EVERY time we talk so I do not believe this but we shall see.

We caught up a little on life (his vacation, my vacation and work stuff) and then I said I better get going. He said he would like to go to dinner to catch up sometime and I told him to call me and we would see.

 

Oh how I would love to see him get his crap together! I honestly thought after the stroke that would be the big change but sadly it was not.

I care about him a lot and love him a lot. He is so supportive of me and thinks I am amazing! He supports me in everything I do and thinks I am the smartest person he knows. He makes me feel like I am unstoppable however the actions with his family and the weed will always be in the way I am afraid!

I will keep you posted but I am definitely not hopeful that anything has changed...we have been through this so many times! We start going to dinner, he lies about no smoking anymore, we start dating again, I get sucked in, and then I find him smoking weed and lying to me.

I HATE ADDICTION! But, I love my friend!

Anyone else ever stay friends with an ex? Anyone else stay in a relationship where you are broken up over and over?

Thankful Thursday

Today I am joining Rebecca Jo for her Thankful Thursday!

Come play along! Just write up a post with what you are thankful for and link up on her blog above! I promise life seems a lot better when you are looking for the things you are thankful for rather than focusing on the other stuff!

I am thankful that I have a right to vote! I am excited to say that I voted this week!!! There was a Senate seat that was open in Pennsylvania. I take this right very serious and I would like to believe that my vote was the tie-breaker! HA HA! I was very happy with the outcome!

I am thankful I can take care of myself today! I would LOVE to find a partner to share my life with but it does not seem to be happening (the online dating sucks!)...I am happy to say that I have worked hard so even if I am alone forever...I know FOR SURE that I will be okay and well taken care of! 

I am thankful for my family and friends! This includes you all! You help me daily in ways you do not even realize! Thanks for following, inspiring me daily and being my friends!!

I hope you all have a fantastic rest if the week! HUGS TO YOU ALL!

What are you thankful for today?!?!

Wednesday Medley

 

TODAY IS NATIONAL FILM SCORE DAY!

 

 
I am joining in with Terri for her Wednesday Medley! If you want to play - just copy the questions, answer them and then link up here!!!

 

1.  Let's talk about film scores/songs.  What is the first one that you thought about when you saw today's subject?  A Star is Born! I love the original movie score but I love the remake with Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper even more!!!! That never happens!! I never like the remake better but for this movie I do!  It Is Completely Amazing!

 

 

2.  Do you remember the first movie you ever saw on the "big screen"?  Would you tell us about it?

I am sure that I have no clue! My mom used to take us kids to the movies when we were little and it was raining out. I don't remember the movies...I only remember eating candy and popcorn!!! HA HA!

 

3.  Who is your favorite female movie star?  Who is your favorite male movie star?  Go ahead and list more than one if you must.

I honestly don't have a favorite but I will go see anything that has Jennifer Aniston or Melissa McCarthy in it.

 

 4.  How about those old black & white movies!  Which one do you always stop and watch, even just a little, when channel surfing?

Nope-never...

 

5.  Is there a movie quote that makes you laugh or one that you repeat often in life that you can share with us?  Will we know what movie it comes from without you telling us?

"Life's a garden...dig it!" From Joe Dirt!!! It is my favorite movie of all time!!!! It is brainless humor, the best quotes ever and a guest appearance by my favorite singer - Kidrock!!

 

 

6.  Please share something random about your week with us.

I will be leaving for Aruba in 11 days...yes I am doing a count down! I need a vacation again ALREADY! Please get me back to that private island ASAP!  HA HA! 

 

I hope everyone has a great day! Enjoy celebrating National Film Score Day! If you want to join in, hop on over to Terri's blog and link up your answers!! HUGS!

What is your favorite score? How about your favorite movie? Did you see Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper?!?!?!

 

Pills and Potions

Good morning friends!!!!

I would like to have a somewhat serious discussion today.

As I was getting ready think morning; sipping my coffee and eating my bagel; I reached over and grabbed my morning vitamins. As I did, I thought, WOW!

It never really kicked in until this morning how many pills I take each day. And most are voluntary!! LOL!

I had ten in my hand!!! WHAT!?!? I pride myself on being somewhat healthy and taking care of myself but how did I ever get to ten pills every morning. I also add a powder supplement to my coffee everyday!

I am going to share them with you and I would love to get your feedback. I have heard so many different things like...

"You get all the nutrition you need from food" or
"You don't need to take extra anything"

and on the other hand you hear...

"This pill is so good for this" or 
"This pill will prevent this"...

I guess I am just at a point where I am now wondering if I am the only person that goes out and buys whatever they say will prevent or help this or that until I now end up taking ten pills a day (nine different things)!

Here is what I take daily in the morning...

One:
Bayer Low Dose Aspirin (okay so this is a given...I work there and it prevents a heart attack, right?)

Two:
Citrical(2 pills) (another Bayer product...I have arthritis and I am over 50 so I need extra calcium, right?) 

Three:
Tumeric Curcumin Complex (my knees hurt daily from the arthritis and bone on bone and I heard this can help alleviate the pain)

Four: 
Krill Oil (this is my omega 3...again healthy heart!!)

Five:
One a Day (another Bayer product...the daily over 50 for women)

Six:
B12 (I was tested and my B12 was very low; I think this is common for psoriatic arthritis...I just feel tired all day!)

Seven: 
Biotin (my nails or very brittle and this is supposed to help hair and nails)

Eight:  
Zyrtec (24 hour allergy pill...I am highly allergic to cats and I own four) LOL!!!

Nine:
Prozac (remember the post about hot flashes...this one I am sure really works!!! NO MORE HOT FLASHES!!!!)

Ten:
Collagen powder (I put this in my coffee everyday...it is supposed to help with the knee pain and I truly think it has) On a funny note: my nieces and nephews call it my "cow powder"....LOL! It is made from ground up cow bones!

So, that's my list! Maybe too much information but I am just wondering if I am the only one that hears something is good for you and jumps on the bandwagon!??!?!

I will be very interested in your feedback! HA!

I hope everyone has a healthy and happy day!!! HUGS TO YOU ALL!

Do you take any voluntary supplements? How many a day? Does this many seem crazy to you?