8 isn't that Great~

Call it Spring Fever?!?

Right now I am trying to find some new inspiration 

for my pictures and topics.

Thought that this would be easy to do.

You know what...

Not so much.

It is hard to put yourself into every picture 
& 
take it at the same time.

Who Knew?!?

I have now gone an Amazing 8 days without posting,

but who's counting???
Here's a recap of what I have been up to.
I started to wonder if a different eye color 

would/could be me.
This was just one that I tried, but the woman 
at the place I was at thought I was crazy to want to 
do anything other than my own eye color.
Had to laugh when someone said my hair looked 
like a pink candy cane.
Guess they were kinda right.
Healthy shake with cranberries & cinnamon.
It actually turned out quite well.
My tiny cheat was having Dark Chocolate 
covered Ginger....
Yum!
Me, playing around with candy lips.
This is as close as I will be to having lips like
Angelina Jolie.
Two great lunch dates back to back.
Day one, Tristin.
Very next day, Tyler...
Finally, I found a new drink.
I have never been a fan of mango,
but it really works in this drink!
Skinnygirl Sparklers
this one was Tangerine Mango.
I have stayed away from soda or any fizzy drinks
for two months now.
This won't be a regular thing,
but it is a fun break from all the flavored 
waters I have been making.
XoXo
<3

Four Days~

Well, here is the quick down & dirty for the last 

four days.

I have been slack,

 ( to say the least in my writing )

I have been taking the pictures,

just lacking in the delivery.

Tuesday, 

I had the knife break in my 

hand... 

That was an interesting out of the 

blue experience.

Wasn't bad, just hurt like...

Wednesday,

I decided it was time I took a 

picture with Lynn who is one of 

my favorite WWII Veterans.

I spend many a morning talking with him

and enjoy every second.

Thursday,

Sushi!!!

I have been working on eating healthier 

and I just love Sushi.

So, 

I decided to take a break from the norm 

& find my way to a Sushi bar...

Nom, nom, nom.

This morning,

CHEAT DAY!!!

I went and had Blueberry Pancakes 

at my favorite spot.

Nothing like a stack of 3 to bring a Smile 

back to my face.

Whew,

what a week.

Ready to sit on the deck 

& 

Relax!

Already sounds like Spring 

in the back woods.

Going to go commune with nature.

XoXo

<3

Simple Reminder~

Today, 

I went to the coffee shop to spend time 

with the Veterans like I often do.

We got on a discussion 

that really bothered me.

I make it a point when I go to see them

that I do not bring in any outside garbage.

When I walk through the door,

I leave all darkness on the outside.

You see,

most of them have already 

seen & lived in Hell.

When I greet them I usually say 

something chipper like,

"Hello Handsome"!

Some willingly accept the compliment

& 

others have a hard time seeing past

the time ravaged outwards appearance.

There is one Veteran 

that I see most every day that 

I am just drawn to.

He was a bomber piolet in WWII.

Anyways,

today he asked me why I waste 

so much time there with all the 

"old guys", listening to their stories.

I told him that I don't see it 

as a waste.

I see the beauty in each one of them.

Even though time and sickness have

taken a toll on many of them,

I can see past all of that.

As we were taking I was fidgeting 

with my bracelet/ hair tie,

then I realized...

It was BEAUTY.

A simple reminder,

there is beauty in everything.

You just have to be willing to look 

for it.

XoXo

<3

Saturday & Sunday~

The left is Saturday, the craving for something sweet.

That ended up in my hands.

( Only long enough to take the picture )

The Picture on the right is Sunday.

Once again, 

I wanted something sweet, 

but this time I bought the strawberries.

We have choices.

Fake or Real?!?

What are we treating out bodies to?

It is always easier to reach for the left.

I challenge you to reach for the right.

Every day decisions lead to our 

over all health.

If you are going to give yourself a gift,

be it one of health...

XoXo

<3

Hearts & Flowers~

Yes, today is the day that 

most people have rushed out to 

find that perfect gift for a loved one.

Anything from the traditional Candy Hearts,

Stuffed Animals, Flowers & the Hallmark Card

( to express everything that you can't seem to do yourself. )

To the Extravagant gifts of Jewelry, Trips & Vehicles.

( Not that I have the first hand experience with the trips & vehicles, but I have heard it happens. )

Anyways,

I took my first trip to the local mall here in NC.

Had to replace something that met with an 

unfortunate accident.

Once I was done with that.

 I decided to 

"window shop".

I have no idea how this ring jumped onto my 

finger, but there it was.

I admired it for a while sitting on my finger,

then gave it back to the girl behind the counter.

She was all too eager to try to sell it to me.

I just told her...

I would rather get a gift that is given to me for 

"no reason" or "just because" 

instead of because it is a certain date on the calendar.

Maybe it's just me...

I don't begrudge anyone that is in Love 

with Valentines Day or all that it stands for.

Just don't judge me too harshly 

because I don't have hearts in my eyes...

XoXo

<3

Winter Yum~

 It seems here in my little corner of NC

that the snow effectively shut down the whole area.

So, Spring Cleaning came early to my place.

I managed to wash all of the clothes,

linens & blankets.

Vacuum and scrub the floors.

I took some photos of the 

"Winter Wonderland" 

from my terrace,

because no one wanted to venture

 past the complex.

For dinner,

 I decided to try making my 

own Spaghetti Sauce.

Have to say, 

for my first time...

Not so bad!

Managed to hide some veggies in the 

sauce, while reducing the salt & sugar.

It felt good to make something new

and know that I can make 

a healthier version of it

myself instead of having to 

rely on the store bought alternative.

Yes, 

I still cheated with the crescent rolls,

but baby steps!

Rome wasn't built in a day!

XoXo

<3

Thank you~

I know that this picture and timing of it could 

get me shot, but I am willing to risk it...

Since moving to North Carolina I 

have ( Gasp ) kinda missed the snow.

( I know, I can't Believe I said it either! )

This is the second snow that we have had

since the move & I have to admit,

I really wanted it!

Like a kid on Christmas morning,

I can't wait to get out 

&

get into the snow

 so I can capture some 

( hopefully ) great pictures.

The boys are excited too!

So, 

tomorrow morning

I will be getting up early to see 

what images I can capture.

Thankful for the chance 

to get some more snow pictures.

Sometimes,

Prayers are actually Answered...

XoXo

<3

Perfect Timing~

Today, 

I did something that I can not take back,

change or alter.

I just have to believe that 

Love is the 

answer...

I went to the mail & found this.

It reads:

Love, Faith & Hope...

I will need all 3 of these.

I know why these were made 

and 

the two women that it is meant

to represent.

 I hold that meaning

dear & sacred.

Today,

it also holds another meaning 

for me...

Sometimes,

timing is everything.

XoXo

<3

One Week Ago~

It was just one week ago 

that I finally got the answers that I needed.

Today,

I sit here pain free 

& 

Thankful that I listened to

my instincts and not the first 

Dr. that "treated" me.

This is just a little reminder

that is hanging around.

It soon will be gone,

but not the lesson 

learned...

XoXo

<3

Awe~

I almost did it today...

While we were in the park,

a guy was trying to sell off this little girl.

I was so tempted,

but instead...

I gave her a little lovin'

& 

prayed that she would find a loving home.

Had a wonderful Sunday walking around 

in the woods taking pictures.

What a relaxing way to start the week...

XoXo

<3

Green Eyes~

14 years ago,

I fell in love with these green eyes.

Not really looking to 

adopt a furry friend at the time,

but knew that I couldn't leave him 

where I found him.

It is amazing how when you 

aren't looking you find

exactly what you need.

Even after all these years,

he still has my heart

& 

I fall in love with him 

all over again,

when I look into his 

eyes...

XoXo

<3

3 in 1 Part 2~

Well, 

it has been an interesting week.

I have spent most of it recovering.

Feel like it has been lots of Liquids,

Cranberries & Sleep.

Over a month ago,

I started to make some healthy changes.

It has been over a month since 

I last drank a soda.

I have introduced gluten free food

 into my diet trying to see if it reduces 

my migraines.

Lastly,

tiny treats...

This amazing little blueberry pie,

came from Carolina Pie Company.

I try to make it last two sittings.

You have to enjoy life, 

even if it means somethings 

are done in moderation...

XoXo

<3

Back in the Jungle~

No rest for the weary...

Today,

 it was back out into the jungle.

Taking the boys to school,

running limited errands

& 

then homework.

Have to admit,

I took a few cat naps today.

Drinking lots & lots of 

water & cranberry juice.

Made a phone call back to the 

hospital to inform them of 

my experience on Saturday 

and how I was mis-diagnosed.

Will they do anything or follow up?!?

Who knows,

but at least I did my part by

telling them my story 

& 

they can take it from there.

If I have learned nothing else

in this life...

I have learned that you must 

speak up for yourself.

It is nice if you have someone

that is there and can do it on your

behalf, but if that is not the 

case, make a point of doing it for 

yourself!  

You may not only end up 

saving your life, 

 you might just save someone else's

as well...

XoXo

<3

3-1~

Since Friday,

 I have been really quiet.

Trying to take care of myself.

By Saturday night I couldn't

stand the pain any more.

I went to the ER.

 After many 

hours of being left alone in a room,

the "brilliant" Dr. came back 

 to tell me that he thought it 

was a virus & here are some meds,

 come back if the condition gets worse...

Hmmm,

I walked into the ER with a temp of 105,

doubled over in pain 

& 

very dehydrated.

How much worse exactly do I have 

to get to come back?!?

In the time that I was there 

the only thing he did was order

a urine test to make sure I wasn't

pregnant...

Walking in, I could tell him I 

wasn't,

but how could I know that 

as a mere mortal?!?

Grrr...

Anyways,

after being given medication

for symptoms that I didn't have.

I came back to the apt & stayed 

curled up until this morning.

After a whole day wasted in the

ER once again.

I Actually had a competent

Dr. this time.

 He gave me a real exam,

blood test & once again urine,

then off to X-Ray.

Got back & was hooked up to 

a rather fast dripping IV.

3 bags of fluid later...

Come to find out I have 

a really bad Kidney Infection.

I could complain,

but what is the point.

Bottom line is,

you have to be your own 

health advocate.

If you feel one Dr. isn't 

listening or treating you properly,

seek the advice of another.

After all, 

it is your body.

XoXo

<3

Sisters~

Tonight, 

I got the chance to speak with two of 

my Marine Corps Sisters.

It is amazing to me,

how after all this time

&

the different ways our life 

paths have taken us...

It only took one phone call to 

re-connect and have time melt away.

I am so excited 

to have the chance to see some

of the ladies once again.

This August,

I am going to be hosting a reunion

in NC.

I can't wait to see them all again...

No matter the time or distance,

it is a blessing to know that my 

Sisters still have my back.

How I Love them!

XoXo

<3

Photo Booth~

Tyler decided today that we were going to play 

with the photo booth on my computer.

We took lots of silly pictures but this 

he said was his favorite.

Tried to get Tristin to take pictures with us,

but lately he has gotten to where 

he would rather not take pictures.

So, respecting that, we kept on playing...

I can't imagine not having the

boys in my life.

They are such a great source of joy 

for me.

Don't get me wrong,

there are days they drive me 

crazy,

but I wouldn't trade the moments

I get with them...

They are the greatest thing

I have ever done in my lifetime.

Cherish the Moments...

XoXo

<3

Just a Touch of Snow~

I was under the impression,

 that I left the snow 

behind in Ohio...

Apparently, 

this isn't the case
 as you can see.

It somehow found me...

School was canceled, 

So, I took the 

boys out and spent the day taking pictures.

We got to have some amazing experiences.

One of the best was...

I got to pet a Chicken for the 

First time!

It was different than

I had in my mind.

Amazing things can happen...

If you are able to be flexible 

and 

aren't afraid to get out 

&

Live...

XoXo

<3

Time is Fleeting~

It is moments like this,

that I will cherish in my memory.

Not that it was a major milestone,

or event that took place.

Just the comfort of being able

to snuggle with the boys and watch 

a simple movie together.

In this moment,

everything was right in the world.

No violence, hunger or suffering.

Not having to worry about bills, appointments

or what will happen next.

Just accepting the moment 

for what it was & enjoying every second.

There are so many that don't have this 

luxury.

Just this week,

 I know of at least 5

families that have lost their Mother to 

breast cancer.

Their lives will never be the same.

They are always on my mind 

& in my heart.

Just one of the reasons why 

I will not stop fighting until we have 

found a cure.

Enjoy the moments you are given,

even if they are just as simple as this.

XoXo

<3

One Step at a Time~

The Journey begins with one step.

Today, 

I got my Fit Bit Force in the mail.

Hoping that this will help to motivate me 

to reach my goals.

In the hour and a half that I had it on

I managed to walk 2,308 steps 

and 4 flights of stairs.

Can't wait to see where I go from here.

Looking forward to meeting 

my own personal goals.

It's not about being thin,

it's about being healthy.

XoXo

<3

Get a Clear Look~

At times we all need to clear the glass 

we are looking through to get a clean 

perspective.

Sometimes,

we don't like what we see.

If that is the case,

only we have the power to 

change it.

No one will hand it to us.

Make the reflection 

you see,

 one that makes 

you Smile...

XoXo

<3

Treat Yourself~

As I work towards changing my eating 

habits in the hopes of breaking the cycle 

of migraines.

 I find myself drawn back to 

little indulgences.

Today,

I treated myself to a bit of 

Kahlua & Almond Cheesecake from 

a wonderful local bakery.

Black Velvet Patisserie

It was in short, Amazing!

Though, it left me wanting more,

it was just enough to satisfy.

Every now and again,

we need to treat ourselves 

a little ...

XoXo

<3