January blog challenge--Things I'm Most Thankful for

Things I'm Most Thankful For

I'm gonna just let you assume that I'm thankful for my Savior and my family and start with other things:

• My landlords. While there are definite issues with this townhouse that need to be addressed, they have been good to me. Especially when I have had financial hardships, like during cancer, etc. 
• My dogs. They give me something to mother now that my nest is empty.
• My friends. I used to get all sad that I didn't have a core of best friends or ONE best friend that I spoke with daily and always did stuff with like on Sex and the City. But as I've gotten older I've come to appreciate the various friendships I have with different people and to see the value in their structure. I have a great neighbor friend, lifelong high school friends that I still see and speak to on a regular basis, church/ministry friends that accept me for the very real sinner that I am, friends that share in my battles with ACC/Cancer, and former work friends that get my humor!
• My health. I am able to exercise and feel good most of the time having beat cancer last year. I had nowhere near the struggles some others have had with this dreadful disease.
• My appearance. Of course there are things I would like to change--lose some weight, mainly. But all in all, I'm fairly attractive, especially for a woman about to be 47 and I'm thankful for that gift.
• My sense of adventure. I'm happy having some relaxing downtime once in a while but I'm grateful that I still love to be active--hiking, camping, travel, kayaking, biking, etc. There are so many places I still want to go and so much I still want to do and I'm thankful for wanting that!
• The ability to taste. This is also cancer related. Going through radiation and even for several weeks after I was unable to taste food. I used to think that would be a blessing--I would lose weight. And I did. But it was not at all the blessing I thought it would be. I enjoy good food and I'm so glad it didn't take me years to get my tastes back.
• The little things my parents taught me. How to balance a checkbook (not that I need to anymore because I just use my debit card for most things), how to change a tire, check oil and add fluids to a car, how to sew/crochet (that one is actually thanks to Maw Maw), cook, do laundry, seek out instructions on how to do minor repairs, drive a standard transmission, take care of a baby, etc. I'm often surprised at how many people my age, let alone younger, don't know how to do many of these things!

January blog challenge--Best Moments in Life

I've been blessed with some amazing life moments. Here are just a few in no particular order of importance:

• the births of my children
• the moment I first heard their heartbeats and saw them on the ultrasound screen
• the births of my nieces and nephews
• the first time I had sex
• the first time I had great sex
• the day I found out I was cancer free
• my college graduation
• seeing the Braves and the Yankees play at the old Yankee stadium
• moving into my first home that was all mine
• buying my first car on my own
• the moment I first saw the Eiffel tower in person
• snorkeling in Mexico
• standing on top of the Empire State building with my best friend
• the first time I kissed my current boyfriend
• all of my childhood Christmases
• breaking a board in self-defense class
• anytime I'm in Tuscaloosa for a football game
• when each of my children graduated high school
• when my son graduated college
• registering for my LAST semester of graduate school (hopefully)

January blog challenge--Motivational Quotes

One of my favorite things to do is to browse pinterest for quotes I like. I have a board titled "Wise Words" but then I had to break it down and put Scripture on it's on board, Relationship/Dating quotes on its on board, fitness motivation quotes on its on board etc.  And there are several on each so I'm just going to pick a few to list here.

Motivational Quotes:

• What you allow is what will continue.
• I would rather die of passion than of boredom.
• Sometimes it takes losing what you were settling for to remind you of what you deserve.
• Whatever comes, let it come. Whatever goes, let it go. Whatever stays let it stay.
• Blessed are the curious for they shall have adventures.
• Nothing holds you back more than your own insecurities.
• Sexy does not come from the shape of a body but from the fire in a soul.
• Do things that feed your soul, not your ego, and you will be happy.
• Stay positive, work hard and make it happen.
• Worry about loving yourself instead of worrying about other people loving you.
• Be fearless in your pursuit of what sets your soul on fire.
• Don't believe everything you think.
• Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim.
• Be humble in your confidence but courageous in your character.
• It's not a bad life, just a bad day.
• A tiger doesn't lose sleep over the opinion of sheep.
• You can't rush something you want to last forever.
• A goal without a plan is just a wish.

If you want more, visit the page:

https://www.pinterest.com/michellequick3/wise-words/?etslf=6871&eq=wise%20words

January Blog Challenge--Favorite Foods and Drinks

Favorite Foods and Drinks

This is another one that I tend to go through phases with as well.  This has been especially true this past year as I've gradually recovered from cancer treatment and gotten my taste buds and ability to swallow back. As the taste returned, I was only able to tolerate certain things and some things still bother me a little, such as ketsup. I can eat it now, but it still burns just a little. This is true of other condiments as well.

So here is a list of things I do like. I doubt it's completely conclusive and I'm always willing to try almost anything,

Foods:

• Mexican food--especially bean and/or beef burritos, chicken chimachangas, quesadillas, steak fajitas, refried black beans, queso, creamy jalapeno dip, and salsa.
• Seafood--shrimp, salmon, crab, and scallops.
• Steak, medium and topped with almost anything--steak sauce, blue cheese crumbles or nothing at all.
• Black and bleu salad from Newks (salad with blackened steak and bleu cheese crumbles
• Fried chicken, with or without the "fixins" i.e. mashed potatoes and gravy, biscuits, corn, baked beans, macaroni, etc.
• Pasta--just about any kind: lasagna, pesto, alfredo, manicotti, farfalle, penne, rigatoni, etc.
• Japanese--rice, broth, steak, shrimp, chicken and some sushi
• Breakfast--anything and anytime of the day

Drinks;

• Right now I'm on a rum kick--specifically Bacardi coconut rum with diet coke/coke zero
• I used to love Coca Cola Classic but in recent years, especially since cancer, I can't handle the sugar in sodas. I'll occasionally have coke zero but not nearly as much as I used to.
• Coffee! I'm particularly fond of white chocolate mocha creamer, Bailey's, or peppermint mocha. French vanilla will do in a pinch. I can take or leave sugar or stevia in it as long as I have creamer.
• Sweet tea! Hello? It's the house wine of the South!
• Water. Believe it or not, I do drink a lot of water.
• Margaritas, but generally only during the summer.
• Long Island Tea (or Roadhouse Tea with Everclear)
• White wine--especially Moscato or Riesling
• Milk. I also drink a lot of milk!

January blog challenge--Favorite Songs

I love this list topic because there is NOTHING like music to affect one's mood! There is such power in listening to music. It can lift your spirits. It can take you back to a place and time or invoke a memory. It's power is like nothing else.

My taste in music is very diverse and I tend to go through phases with it.  I like pop/hip hop, alternative/hard rock, classic rock,  Christian, The Beatles and other similar 60's music, Fleetwood Mac (I consider them a whole different genre than classic rock), 80's, hair bands (Def Leppard being my favorite), R&B, and even a little country.

There are times, also, that I'll like a song and the radio stations will run it into the ground so much that I get sick of it!

So a few of my faves are:

1. Photograph, Def Leppard (my all time fave--takes me back to when I was 14. Great year, great memories!)
2.  I'll Be Around, The Spinners
3. Thunderstruck, ACDC
4. Sunday Morning, Maroon 5
5. Let's Stay Togeter, Al Green
6. Dixieland Delight, Alabama
7. My Life, Billy Joel
8. In My Life, The Beatles
9. Hate Me, Blue October
10. Run to You, Bryan Adams
11. Closer, The Chainsmokers
12. One, Creed
13. Torn, Creed
14. Auld Lang Syne, Dan Fogelberg
15. White Flag, Dido
16. Dreams, Fleetwood Mac
17. Hold Me, Fleetwood Mac
18. Go Your Own Way, Fleetwood Mac
19. Carry On, Fun.
20. Slide, Goo Goo Dolls
21. I Am, Mark Schultz
22. Broken and Beautiful, Mark Schultz
23. I Don't Want This Night to End, Luke Bryan
24. Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye, Luke Bryan
25. Sweet Home Alabama, Lynard Skynard
26. Misery, Maroon 5
27. Get It On Tonight, Montel Jordan
28. Photograph, Nickelback
29. Don't Speak, No Doubt
30. Your Love, The Outfield
31. Place of Freedom, Highlands Worship
32. Won't Back Down, Tom Petty
33. Better Than Me, Hinder
34. Blackbird, The Beatles
35. And I Love Her, The Beatles
36. Ticket to Ride, The Beatles
37. Michelle, The Beatles (obviously)
38. Penny Lane, The Beatles
39. To Sir, With Love, Lulu
40. Downtown, Petula Clark
41. Sound of Silence, Simon & Garfunkel
42. The Time of Your Life, Greenday
43. Yea Alabama (haha Roll Tide)
44. Rammer Jammer (haha Roll Tide)
45. You Can Do It, Ice Cube
46. Big Poppa, Biggie Smalls
47. New York, Alicia Keyes
48. Margaritaville, Jimmy Buffet
49. Don't Stop Believing, Journey
50. Black Water, Doobie Brothers

January blog challenge--List of Compliments

List of compliments--some that I enjoy hearing and some that I enjoy saying:

• You always seem so happy.
• Your skin is beautiful.
• You have helped me so much.
• You are a blessing.
• Your hair is amazing--thick and smooth.
• Your dogs are the cutest.
• Your kids are so awesome.
• You raised a great son.
• Your parents are the best.
• Your family is a hoot.
• Your home is lovely--warm and cozy. (maybe that's code for tiny! lol)
• You always seem to have a good time no matter what.
• Your spiritual gift is definitely mercy.
• Your nails (or toes) are cute.
• Your boobs are awesome--still perky! (lol)
• You tan easy.
• You are good with kids.
• I love how you mother my grandson.
• I'm so glad you CHOSE to be my dad.
• Girl, I wish I can shake it like you do! (obviously that was something I SAID)
• You guys are great dance leaders.
• You look great today.
• I love your outfit.
• You're a fabulous kisser.
• I'm so proud of you.

January blog challenge--Favorite 5 minute activities

Favorite 5 minute activities? Hmm...this one may be a tad more difficult because I can't think of many activities that only take 5 minutes! Especially not any that can be mentioned on a PG rated blog! :) But I'll give it a try!

• Petting my pups (hello? They're precious!)
• a hot shower (if I don't shave my legs, it doesn't take that long)
• brushing my teeth (that may sound crazy but I love clean teeth)
• playing Pacman (I'm old school and it usually doesn't take me long to lose)
• Prayer (sometimes just having a quick conversation with God can change your entire perspective)
• Kissing (is that PG enough?)

January blog challenge--Simple Pleasures!

Things are just a few things that are simple pleasures for me (in no particular order of importance):

• coffee! (no other words needed)
• watching reruns of Sex & the City (I love the talking points, am fascinated by the friendships of the four girls and looking back at the fashion and things past (like an answering machine!) is amusing.
• my dogs (they are the only things in the world that love me unconditionally besides Jesus)
• a nice fire (relaxing)
• good conversations with amazing people (I love finding out what others' opinions are, as long as they aren't pushy about them, what makes them "tick", their experiences, etc.)
• pedicures (no other words needed)
• a good backrub (no other words needed)
• looking at old pictures (memories)
• listening to great music (therapeutic)
• pop tarts (I know they are unhealthy but they were one of the first things I was able to taste post-cancer so I sorta became addicted. I'm trying to kick the habit but oh...the taste. Especially frosted strawberry!)
• sand in my toes (I'm a beach bum, what can I say?)
• riding in a convertible (there's just something about the wind and the sun together on my skin)
• the smell of coconut (intoxicating)
• the smell of a baby (also intoxicating)
• the smell of puppy breath (I can't explain it, I just love puppy breath! Let's be clear--puppies, not adult dogs. Mady's breath is terrible!)
• a man that kisses good (they are a lot rarer than you think)

January blog challenge--more thoughts about lists!

I am a list person. I have an app on my phone called "Wunderlist". Before I got the app I had a notebook that I would keep lists in. Right now, Wunderlist contains 20 lists:

• To Do Today
• To Do Eventually
• Walmart-Grocery store
• Shopping (because that's different lol)
• Stuff to Pay
• Things to crochet
• Restaurants to try
• Movies to see
• Menu for the week (haven't used this in a while)
• Things to look for at the thrift store
• Clothes I want
• Travel plans 2017
• Goals
• Places to apply for employment
• Organizations I want to give money to
• Bills to pay next payday
• Things I want to buy
• Clean-ting to do
• Things I need
• Things to get at the Dollar Store

Yes, I realize I'm weird and probably some of these lists could be consolidated and/or eliminated! Anyway, this should be a fun and easy blog for me!

January blog challenge

I found this on Pinterest and looked like one I haven't done before. It also looked pretty simple so I thought it would be a good place to start to resume writing again. I think it's also good for trying to focus on positive things during these next days while we're doing the 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting.

List Ideas to Lift Your Mood

• Simple pleasures in life
• Favorite 5 minute Activities
• List of Compliments
• Favorite Songs
• Favorite Foods and Drinks
• Motivational Quotes
• Best Moments in Life
• Things I'm Most Thankful For
• Place with Fond Memories
• Daily Affirmations
• Prayer ListList of Jokes
• Funny Doodles
• Favorite Flowers
• Favorite Gifts I've Received
• Little Moments You loved
• Favorite Items in Your Home
• Mistakes That Shaped You
• The Best Thing Abut Each Season
• Faovrite People to Call for Mood Lift
• List of Things you Love About Your Significant Other

Honestly, I can't see myself doing the funny doodles one. I don't doodle. Unless I come across some online. But maybe I could share some of my favorite memes on that day. We'll see!

Update and recommitment

It's been awhile since I've updated, as anyone can see. Facebook is just so much easier. But it's also getting annoying. Way too many political posts, drama, invitations to online parties for women to sell crap I don't need or want and then there are the ads! Need I say more?

Anyhoo...

Brooke graduated high school and then moved to Montevallo in the Fall to begin classes. She's doing very well and seems to be having a good time. She pledged Alpha Gamma Delta and has been busy with all the sorority activies and other things associated with college life.

Dylan got a new puppy and is looking for a new apartment. He also bought himself a project truck.

Kayti is still attending Jeff State and works at Domino's.

I have a new niece, Caroline Jade. I bought a bike and a kayak. I started taking ballroom dance lessons and resumed DanceFit classes. I have sadly put back on most of the weight I lost during cancer but I guess I enjoyed doing it! I am still so very thankful to be able to taste and swallow again!

I am now in my last semester of grad school (Praise the Lord!) and am unemployed! I was downsized in September and haven't been able to find anything new yet. I have been on a few interviews but just haven't found the right position. I want to go back into HR but having been out of it for so long has hurt. Other positions don't seem to fit because I think the manager realizes that once I get my MBA I probably won't stick around long if I were to ever be offered more money. They would be correct.

I always said that when babygirl graduated high school I would move to the beach and I have applied for a few jobs down there. But alas, I am still in Birmingham. God has been good, providing for my needs so far. But I desperately need employment!

I have become good friends with one of my neighbors and now I hate to leave her behind if I were to move. And of course, I'd hate to be farther away from my own family. But I'm thinking about maybe transitioning into my dream by way of Alabaster/Pelham. It wouldn't be too far from everyone and closer to babygirl. I just need a change. This apartment, though it has become home in the last 5 years, has issues. Last month, the plumbing flooded the living room and all the carpet had to be replaced. It also has electrical issues, needs new upstairs carpet and a few other cosmetic things. I did what I could last year and it looks much better. But I'm not putting a lot of my own money into a place that I don't own.

I have started dating again also. He's someone I met when I was still working at the law office. However, I don't date anyone I work with. When I became unemployed, we became friends on social media, started talking and went out. It kind of grew (a little) from there. It's only been a few months so I guess we'll see where it goes.

I've also started serving the homeless again but Silver Linings is no more so now I'm with a group called Hope for the Homeless. I love the leaders. They have such a heart for my downtown friends.

I also resumed serving on the Events team at church. Church is currently in the middle of the 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. I'm doing a Daniel fast again and so far so good. I slipped last night when my neighbor friend and I decided to treat ourselves to Waffle House and talk! But I'm back on track today.

I am also pledging to resume writing. I had hoped to attend the Writer's Guild meeting today at the Clay Library but babygirl wanted to come home for the weekend and since the SUV (Steve) is currently down, I have the mustang (Miranda) and so I had to go pick her up. No big deal. I have lots of prompts and ideas in my head to get me back on track with writing. I just have to commit to do it. So this is me...recommitting.


And now you've been updated!

Blessings!