Appreciation Time

Thought I would share what I found on my desk when I returned from lunch. It was a nice surprise that left a smile on my face! I hope my fellow administrative peeps are smiling and enjoying a day full of nice gestures and tokens too. It feels good to be respected for your efforts in the workplace.

I must say they are BEAUTIFUL!

~Happy, Bright & Thoughtful~

(the card attached)

Next week is Teacher Appreciate Week ~ May 2nd thru 6th

Please take time out to appreciate the people who diligently teach your children and have the patience to deal with so many kids on a daily basis. It's not an easy job and I respect the fact that Cameron goes to a very nice school with an awesome principal, outstanding teachers & caring staff. I think it should be done more often than just one week out of the school year. Examples: A simple card saying thank you, candles, Scentsy (if you are like Cameron's teachers), send cookies, soda or their favorite snack item, supplies for their classroom ~ anything can say I am thinking of you and want you to know you are appreciated.

THANK YOU MRS. WYNN & MRS. FUSTON

Instructions for LIFE

I was reading Facebook this morning and I ran across a post that I'd like to share. I thought these were good tips to follow.

MY #1 RULE: NO MATTER HOW BIG OR SMALL ALWAYS GIVE IT TO GOD!

I'm sure through trial and error we have all learned some of life's lessons. I've heard people say if only there were a book written to help along the way or if only there were an instruction manual.....Ummm THERE WAS A BOOK WRITTEN ~ IT'S CALLED THE BIBLE!

Instructions for Life...

1. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

2. When you say "I love you" mean it.

3. When you say "I'm sorry" ~ look the person in the eye.

4. Believe in love at first sight.

5. Love deeply and passionately. You may get hurt, but it's the way to live life completely.

6. Teach yourself to speak slowly but think quickly.

7. Call your mother.

8. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.

9. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

10. Marry a person you love to talk to. As you get older, his/her conversation skills will be important.

11. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

12. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risks.

13. Share your knowledge.

14. Live with the knowledge that your character is your destiny.

15. PRAY!!!!! There's immeasurable power in it.

Guilty pleasures

What are some of your favorite guilty pleasures? I have several and not afraid to admit it. I'll even share websites, contact info and a few local FAVS too!

I am VERY excited for the grand opening of THE OUTLET SHOPPES AT OKLAHOMA CITY! Set to take place August 5, 2011. I have already prepared my husband and gave him plenty of notice. I mean seriously Coach & Under Armour in the same shopping area ~ What's a girl to do??? (If you are not aware of the location click on the link for their Facebook page)

Nothing is better than coming home to a house that smells inviting. I've been told my house does that and I owe it all to a few of my favorite places... I can't stop buying BATH & BODY WORKS candles. I always wait until the 3 wick candles are 2 for $20. Best time to buy and I usually have an additional percentage off coupon. That makes for a happy Momma! I also enjoy SCENTABLES I met the owner of this company in Tulsa @ An Affair of The Heart a few years ago. The quality of her product speaks for itself. I also am a fan of SCENTSY. They have the best looking warmers around.

I am addicted to jewelry. Funny thing is I don't wear a bunch of it but I enjoy making pieces. My favorite is working with sterling silver and natural stones. I guess I'm more of a collector. Known to sell a few pieces along the way too. A store I like to find unique beads from is ARTWORKS BEAD STUDIO. (Click on the link to like the Facebook page) It is owned by Nina Brown. You can also see her booth at SHOWPLACE MARKET.

Speaking of Showplace Market....WOW! About 100 vendors under one roof with so much variety. If you are ever in Moore, OK you should go check it out! Make an afternoon of it and bring along your girlfriends. They has a little cute cafe too.

Another fun place to be creative is PAINT YOUR ART OUT. I have been twice and enjoyed it tremendously. You will love the staff and want to return multiple times. It makes for a great "girls night" and they do a lot of birthday parties too. Check out their web page for a calendar and they have Facebook too.

I must mention another FAV and that's my hairstylist Casey Canant. You can find her at New Creations Hair Salon. Call her up~ She's a busy lady so book in advance 405.691.8828

You must admit she even looks SUPER FUN! I love this girl and I know you will too!

Just Breathe

Lots of things going on in my world. The Ash Gang made it through a crazy busy weekend. We actually transformed the front yard by adding new pavers, shrubs & various perennials. I must say I think it looks AMAZING! Totally updated our curb appeal. Mike & Kyle did all the hard labor. I supervised!

As you know we celebrated Easter this past Sunday. I prefer to call it Resurrection Sunday!!!! My family all gathered at our house this year. We enjoyed time with each other and some yummy grub from Earl's Rib Palace.



RUTH ~ KYLE ~ ME ~ REGINA (taken with cell phone)

I've been toying with the idea of going back to school. There is a great deal of consideration going into this decision and it's all still up in the air. I'm thinking of getting my associates in Applied Science (Respiratory Care Therapist). There are different options available and one is going to an Allied Health School or going to OCCC (community college). It's a mess when dealing with will credits transferring if and when I decided to get a Bachelors degree. Who knows??? It's been several years since I've studied and several years since I've attended classes. Am I ready for this? Can I do this? Is it worth it? I've always been blessed with a good job and made very decent money for someone that did not graduate from college. It also helps that my husband is a wonderful provider. I could be in school and finishing up this in approx 12-15 months. It's an accelerated program if you go the Allied Heath School avenue. It would take me approx 3 years if I take the Community College route. I personally don't want to be in school that long. Like I said it's a lot that's on my mind and after talking to someone that went through the program and graduated with honors she really helped me with all the questions I've had. She has no regrets and was employed the week she graduated. She makes very good money and this field will always be in demand. I guess you can say I am 35 and still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. I know I am not alone in this feeling. I don't want to be 45+ and still feeling like this. I'm looking for something a little more rewarding as a career. As for now I guess I will just breathe, take it one day at a time. I know good things are in store for me and my family. It's all in his timing and his will. To be continued.....

My Personal Weigh Down

Strange title? For over 12 years I struggled with weight loss and horrific weight gain only to continue with the same bad habits and downward spiral towards depression. It seems as if I honestly tried every diet known to man. Every quick fix, personal trainer/gym membership, weight loss programs to pills~ I've probably tried it but always ended in the same result.... lose then gain it all back plus some. That is until I made the decision to change my life FOREVER!

It took seeing myself in pictures to actual see myself. I know you are thinking, WHAT???? That's right, I felt pretty. I felt like I fit in. Part of me even felt comfortable in my skin. I guess I had just grown accustom to my weight and thought that was easier then dealing with the reality. It would be a few days after an event with family or friends and the shocking truth would hit me right upside my face. I am hiding my body behind people in pictures or worse I am the largest person among the group. I'm not the person that was covered with fat. My brain didn't feel that way at least. Who was I kidding? The fact is I was obese. I have tons of pictures to prove it. In January of 2011 I weighed in at 292 pounds. The heaviest I've ever weighed in my 35 years. I emotionally broke down. I had to do something about this or I was going to be on meds for the rest of my life or become diabetic. That's no life for me. Honestly I was not living. I was only going through the emotions and putting on a broken smile. I decided to look into gastric surgery. I made an appointment with Dr. Toby Brussard in Edmond, OK. It was the best 2 hours towards the beginning of the rest of my new life. We had to weigh that day and my weight was 259 pounds. I decided immediately what procedure I wanted. I chose the gastric sleeve procedure. I did not want my insides re-routed nor did I want a object placed inside me that required adjustments. So the choice for me was the sleeve procedure. I had several things I had to accomplish in order to get to surgery. I had to lose weight, attend support groups, have lab work done several times, seek counseling, do more research and attend nutrition & exercise classes. All worth it and I knew I deserved a better shot at finding the old me. My day finally came October 6, 2011. It's not all peaches and cream. You have to relearn how to eat. You have to exercise and you must follow directions from your doctor. They do not just throw you into all this change and expect you to succeed. This is a learned process and there are a number of tools available to me daily. I have not had any complications to date and let me say this....I feel the best I've felt in years. I am past the 6 month post-op and still working to reach my weight loss goal.

STARTING WEIGHT JANUARY 2010:
292 lbs

WEIGHT AT SEMINAR:
259 lbs

WEIGHT AS OF 04/18/11:
178

TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS: 114 lbs

I can not express in words how I feel today. It has not just changed me physically but emotionally as well. I feel stronger in ways I can't even try to explain. IT'S LIFE CHANGING PEOPLE and I'm proud of myself for making the decision and sticking to the fact that I am worth it. I wanted to be a better wife and mother. I want so much out of this life and I feel like I am headed in the right direction to achieve those goals. I had a wonderful support group during this process and I am so very thankful! If I can ever be of any help to someone that is facing something similar please do not hesitate to contact me. I'm not afraid to share more details and answer any question you may have.

Ready, Set, Here I Go!

I've decided that today I will embark upon a new adventure. I will become a "blogger". I believe I have endured enough and been blessed enough with situations in life that maybe I can share my stories to help others, influence or at the very least provide a source of laughter. Who knows where this little journey will take me. I'm not sure where to begin so I'll start with the basics. I've been married for 12 years to Michael as of this past April 2011. I am a mother to two healthy & handsome boys Kyle & Cameron. If you know anything about me you know they are my EVERYTHING! My boys keep me grounded and make me feel complete. I created the picture below back in 2007. It's one of my favorites to this day. Utterly ADORE the caption.

So much has changed for my family since 2007. I can tell you this, through the very personal struggles and through all the reasoning of "why us & why now" moments I have grown in my faith, become definably stronger and have a better tolerance/understanding of people around me. It may not say much to you but it speaks volumes to me! Change is a constant in this world especially mine. Letting go and accepting outcomes is another. Still striving and yearning for more which lead me to start a blog. I enjoy learning from others and applying to my own life. I enjoy the new friendships that form when you least expect them to. Always a constant reminder that someone much larger is in control. I most enjoy moments that change a life for the positive and finally having the peace and understanding of why!! Everything happens for a reason.