ONE WEEK AND COUNTING....

I MOST CERTAINLY DO!!!!!

Maxine Says....

Who I REALLY am!

Saw this on Kari's blog.....I've always told Sweetie Man that he brought out the ME who I thought I was (scraped away the years of crap heaped on me)...he brought out who I remember being when I was young.....The description below is about as close as you're gonna get to who I am...for real! (this is weird---except for the last sentence as I will be HAPPILY settling down!)

What Lucy Means

You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow. You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily. Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is. You are a very lucky person. Things just always seem to go your way. And because you're so lucky, you don't really have a lot of worries. You just hope for the best in life. You're sometimes a little guilty of being greedy. Spread your luck around a little to people who need it. You are very open. You communicate well, and you connect with other people easily. You are a naturally creative person. Ideas just flow from your mind. A true chameleon, you are many things at different points in your life. You are very adaptable. You are a free spirit, and you resent anyone who tries to fence you in. You are unpredictable, adventurous, and always a little surprising. You may miss out by not settling down, but you're too busy having fun to care.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

It's CRUNCH time!!!

Honestly, I'm not that bad but I do hope Sweetie Man understands IF I do happen to get a little irritable with only 16 days to go to the wedding. I work better under pressure but I do have a slight tendency to focus intensely on things and if anyone gets me off track....I could bite their head off! Nothing major tho!!
A few of you did ask how the plans are coming along. Very well actually. Got a trial run on my hair and ended up having it highlighted for the first time in my life. Got alot of compliments tho alot of people also thought I got new glasses (see my post on "What Women Notice")...go figure! I also lost 22 pounds total since January so that helped alot...especially in my face I think. Yesterday, got my nails done in what's called "pink and white"...I just love getting "fake" nails! That is such a treat for me...never had it done and my nails are naturally thinner than paper! I just feel so GIRLY...something I never had felt till I met the Sweetie Man! Tonight is the "final" dress fitting...I hope. The hem was wrong last time so hopefully I can take that "baby" home today!
People are waiting till the last minute to tell me if they will be attending....a little frustrating but I have to admit, I'm the same way with RSVP's. Maybe next time I'll be a little more prompt.
So, it's all coming together for the most part and it's not even that big of a wedding. But it is fun and exciting...and the best part is that in 16 short days I'll be MRS. SWEETIE MAN for the rest of my life!!!!!
Till next time, yinz crazy guys....(check out my book blog...managed to get a quick book review in ...enjoy!)

Happy Easter....Happy Spring!

Won't you wear a sweater?

In honor of what would have been Mr. Fred Rodgers' 80th Birthday, March 20, 2008 is "Won't you wear a sweater day?" What an awesome man he was....he touched so many lives. I have my sweater on today...do you? Happy Birthday, Mr. Rodgers!

Happy St. Pat's day, yinz mcguys!

I'll be honest with, yinz guys....I have nothing to blog about!!! I've been busy getting ready for the Sweetie Man to come home from his work trip (gone since Janaury) and also staying very busy with our Wedding preparations. Next week we'll be getting together with our caterer, Pastor, getting our Marriage License, sending out invites, etc.....and we're not even having a big wedding.
I was surprised recently though with Sweetie Man making reservations for a honeymoon to......

.....shhhh...can't tell you yet....but this is a real picture of it! Needless to say, my mind is just going crazy...it's really difficult to concentrate recently, so you understand the lack of blogging!
Anyway, off to daydream...again.....till next time, yinz crazy guys......

You lost HOW much weight?!

.....15 pounds and goin down, my sweet little great nephew! (don't ya just love this pic) And I have to say the power of prayer works....cause I've been praying this time that I can stay on this diet and I've even gone past the point that I usually get stuck on. Okay, I know I'm bragging but with the wedding coming up and now I found out a "real" honeymoon....well, needless to say, I'm happy.
But I do have to vent for a moment....please keep in mind that if you know anyone who is struggling with weight loss or on a diet....please DON'T SABATOGE THEM! Do not try to tempt them with foods they shouldn't or don't want to eat. I have a few good friends that are very respectful of my dieting and I love them for it. BUT...then there are those who are not so respectful. I knew in my heart that it was a classic case of jealousy cause they never even mentioned the fact that I looked thinner (15 pounds, come on...) and sorta critized my choice in food. I'm safely losing about a pound to a pound and half a week and it is to my doctors' orders. And I plan to maintain once I get to the point he feels is good for my height and health. (which will probably be at least another 15)...but come on people...you wouldn't blow smoke into the face of a person trying to quit cigarettes or push a drink on a recovering alcoholic....why then would you push food on a dieter?
I don't get it. A friend of mine invited me over for her birthday and had this huge ice cream cake....and you know what she said? She said, "I know you're on diet so I understand if you don't have a piece." I wanted to go up and hug her!!!! I actually was an inspiration to her to start on her diet..now THAT's a friend!!!
So, in conclusion.....please don't sabatoge us dieters....encourage us....congratulate us....this is very very difficult....it is an addiction like anything else and we need all the help we can get!!!
Okay...till next time, yinz crazy guys......

Hey there, Polly....

...that happens to be my future husband's head you're pecking on! And you wonder why I want to marry this Sweetie Man of mine!!!!!

Till next time..."Polly wants a cracker"....yinz crazy guys!!

Happy President's Day....

....Oh, what the heck....go out and buy a new "mattress"....(get it? President's Day sales...mattresses on sale...oh, never mind)

Till next time, yinz crazy guys......

Hey....

Look what my "future husband" put in the local newspaper for ME!!!! He used titles from songs to put it together....how AWESOME is that!!!! Happy Valentines Day, Sweetie Man.....time can't fly by quick enough to be your wife!!!!
and I can't forget all you bloggers out there...so from Maxine and Me......

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY, YINZ GUYS!!!!!

I just can't keep a secret....

Okay...so I'm a blabber mouth....but I just can't help it when I am so deliriously happy right now and want to shout it from the roof tops!!!! Well, you know the pic of the guy above.....if you don't, then you haven't been reading my blog very long....it's the infamous SWEETIE MAN.
Well....in April of this year I will officially be MRS. SWEETIE MAN!!!! Woo-hoo!!!!!
We've been together for 8 years now and kept putting it off for different reasons but now we decided to make it official! We are soooooo excited!!!!! So you'll have to excuse me if I'm a little bit goofy now (what do you mean,"what else is new")....I'm in love!!!! Can't wait to start signing my name "Mrs. Sweetie Man"!!!! Okay, that's it....now get your butts back to work....till next time, yinz crazy guys...... woo-hoo...happy dance..oh yeah....gettin' married to my Sweetie Man....

Crafty Accomplishment!

Okay....so this is my only crafty accomplishment for the year....(so far)


I was looking for a valentines wreath and I just couldn't find anything for my door. So I came up with this. It's a flat piece of round plywood sorta stuff that I got in the floral department of Michaels. I stuck these foam hearts that came in a kit all over it then added a bow...BINGO, instant decoration. Being as it isn't up that long anyway with St. Pat's Day and Easter right around the corner, I wasn't really concerned with it.
I have been working on something else too...but there are spying eyes around (you know who you are, Sweetie Man) and I can't show you quite yet. All in due time!
I'm reading alot too....got three and one half books done towards my 50 book goal for the year! One book I just finished was actually three individual books that were in one volume....but it's still three books, right?
The Sweetie Man has been away for work and before he left, he so kindly asked our Pastor to keep me busy while he was away so the time would go fast for me....little did Sweetie Man know that our Pastor took him seriously, I guess, and I have not stopped since. Between Youth Groups, Planning Meetings and Power Point presentations for our church service....I'm definately BUSY!!! (and I love it!) But that's okay too cause if you haven't already noticed (psst...side bar!) I've officially lost 11 pounds!!! OH YEAH...HAPPY DANCE!!!! Sweetie Man is an awesome cook and it's his hobby...I, on the other hand, hate to cook, so I've been lean cuisining it for the most part and doing a bit of exercise when I'm not busy with church things. It's really the only time I can easily diet...when Sweetie Man is away! The real trick will be to stay with it when he comes back home....just gotta stay focused....and busy!
Well, that's about it for now......Till next time, yinz crazy guys......

What women notice....

Not much to say this Monday morning but I thought this was rather curious......back in December I got my teeth fixed. Had this good size space on the right side of my front teeth for years that did kept me from smiling as much as I would have liked to. Always wanted to get it filled in and finally did.....NOBODY NOTICED! I love my smile now by the way!
Next, I lost 8 pounds but it looks like 10...I know that sounds strange but due to a little water weight gain that us women get each month (you know what I'm talkin' bout) the scales didn't show any loss this week but I finally got into a pair of jeans I haven't been able to zipper for quite a while......NOBODY NOTICED!
Next, I got my nails done with those acrylic things...nice pink shade...not real long...little design on two of the nails...not much, just something to cheer me on a cold winter's day...and you know what???? EVERYONE NOTICED!!!! "Oh, you got your nails done...where did you go?....nice color...what's that design....blah, blah, blah.....GO FIGURE!!!
So, my question to you is....WHAT THE HECK IS UP WITH THAT????
Okay, just wanted to say that....now I feel better....till next time, yinz crazy guys....enjoy your week!

Introducing HOOPS & YOYO...

If yinz guys haven't heard of hoops & yoyo you are missin' out on some laughs! I really love these little guys. I was introduced to them through a hilarious card sweetie man gave me on my birthday in December.....now I'm hooked!!! Sweetie man sends me their e-cards from either their site or the Hallmark site (free of course) and they ALWAYS make me smile even on the lowest of days...and we all have them.
There's also some printable things like calendars, gift boxes, etc...for the crafty in yinz guys.
Check it out for a little mid-winter fun...and I love their colors...makes me thing of Spring!!!!
Okay, till later, yinz crazy guys.......(stay warm)

Feeling frustrated???

Okay, now for a little mid-winter frustration release.....

(click below)

BUBBLE WRAP

Till next time you bubbly guys.....

I'm SPONGE BOB......

What character are you??? I thought this quiz was cool...let me know who you are!
Everyone has a personality of a cartoon character. Have you ever asked yourself what cartoon character do you most resemble? A group of investigators got together and analyzed the personalities of well known and modern cartoon characters. The information that was gathered was made into this test. Answer all the questions (only 10) with what describes you best, add up all your Points (which are next to the answer that you choose) at the end and look for your results. Do not cheat by looking at the end before you are done.

1. Which o ne of the following describes the perfect date? .a) Candlelight dinner (4 pts .) .b) Fun/Theme Park (2 pts .) .c) Painting in the park (5 pts ) .d) Rock concert (1 pt ..) .e) Going to the movies (3 pts .)

2. What is your favorite type of music? .a) Rock and Roll (2 pts .) .b) Alternative (1 pt .) .c) Soft Rock (4 pts .) .d) Country (5 pts .) .e) Pop (3 pts .)

3. What type of movies do you prefer? .a) Comedy (2 pts .) .b) Horror (1 pt .) .c) Musical (3 pts ..) .d) Romance (4 pts .) .e) Documentary (5 pts .)

4. Which one of these occupations would you choose if you only could choose one of these? .a) Waiter (4 pts ) .b) Professional S ports Player (5 pts .) .c) Teacher (3 pts ) d) Police (2 pts .) .e) Cashier (1 pt )

5. What do you do with your spare time? .a) Exercise (5 pts .) .b) Read (4 pts .) .c) Watch television (2 pts .) .d) Listen to music (1 pt .) .e) Sleep (3 pts .)

6. Which one of the following colors do you like b est? .a) Yellow (1 pt .) .b) White (5 pts .) .c) Sky Blue (3 pts .) .d) Dark Blue (2 pts .) .e) Red (4 pts .)

7. What do you prefer to eat? .a) Snow (3 pts .) .b) Pizza (2 pts .) .c) Sushi (1 pt .) .d) Pasta (4 pts .) .e) Salad (5 pts .)

8 What is your favorite holiday? .a) Halloween (1 pt ) .b) Christmas (3 pts .) .c) New Year (2 pts .) .d) Valentine's Day (4 pts .) .e) Thanksgiving (5 pts .)

9. If you could go to one of these places which o ne would it be? .a) Paris (4 pts ) .b) Spain (5 pts ) .c) Las Vegas (1 pt ) .d) Hawaii (4 pts ) .e) Hollywood (3 pts )

10. With which of the following would you prefer to spend time with? .a) Someone Smart (5 pts .) .b) Someone attractive (2 pts .) .c) Someone who likes to Party (1 pt .) .d) Someone who always has fun (3 pts .) .e) Someone very sentimental (4 pts .)

Now add up your points and find out the answer you have been waiting for! Put your character in the subject line and forward to your friends and back to the person that sent this to you. It is very interesting to see 'who' your friends are!

(10-16 points) You are Garfield : You are very comfortable, easy going, and you definitely know how to have fun but sometimes you take it to an extreme. You always know what you are doing and you are always in control of your life. Others may not see things as you do, but that doesn't mean that you always have to do what is right. Try to remember, your happy spirit may hurt you or others.

(17-23 points) You are Snoopy: You are fun, you are very cool and popular. You always know what's in and you are never are out of style You are good at knowing how to satisfy everyone else. You have probably disappeared for a few days more than once but you always come home with the family values that you learned Being married and having children are important to you, but only after you have had your share of fun times

(24-28 points) You are Elmo : You have lots of friends and you are also pop ular, always willing to give advice and help out a person in need. You are very optimistic and you always see the bright side of things. Some good advice: try not to be too much of a dreamer. Dreaming too big could cause many conflicts in your life.

(29-35 points) You are Sponge Bob Square Pants: You are the classic person that everyone loves. You are the best friend that anyone could ever have and never wants to lose. You never cause harm to anyone and they would never not understand your feelings. Life is a journey, it's funny and calm for the most part. Stay away from traitors and jealous people, and you will be stress free.

(36-43 points) You are Charlie Brown: You are tender, you fall in love quickly but you are also very serious about all relationships. You are a family person. You call your Mom every Sunday. You have many friends and may occasionally forget a few Birthdays. Don't let your passion confuse you with reality.

(44-50 points) You are Dexter : You are smart and definitely a thinker... Every situation is fronted with a plan. You have a brilliant mind. You demonstrate very strong family principles. You maintain a stable routine but never ignore a bad situation when it comes. Try to do less over thinking every once in a while to spice things up a bit with spontaneity!

Till next time, yinz crazy cartoon characters.......

Let's get ready to RUMBLE....

What a beautiful face to start off the New Year....a new baby!!!

My great-nephew Owen. We got to see him for the first time at his baptism the last week of December....and he is gorgeous!!!! (but so is his Mom and Dad) We had a great time visiting with relatives and then it was time to head on back to get ready for the New Year!

By the way, that is me in the red and Sweetie Man in the suit next to baby Owen and his Mom and Dad.
And speaking of gorgeous...is this not a model couple or what???

That's my very own little boy (did I say little???)and his sweetheart! We got to spend New Year's Eve with them on the Gateway Clipper Majestic for dinner. We honestly did not recognize them when they approached the boat....WOW! I'm so proud of them both...they looked AWESOME!!! We had a great time with them too!
I have been crafting too, believe it or not. Some things I just plain forgot to take pics of and I could kick myself. I crocheted a "skinny scarf" for my son's fiance as well as a pair of slippers for Christmas. For both of them, I cross stitched this really funny picture...I started it when they were both majoring in nutrition but now only my son is....his fiance changed her major in college. But they both liked it alot.

This next pic is of a cross stitch I did for my sister who just became a grandmother with the birth of baby Owen. It was a big hit. Sorry the picture doesn't do it justice. It really turned out nice.

Then, my son's fiance and I have both been scrapbooking over the past weeks. I got her alot of her own stuff to do it. She's made some really nice things but usually borrow items to work with. Now she had her own and we're planning more nights srapping when she's home. We had a couple of craft nights and I came up with this.

I thought I would start a book of things we did for this year as well as doing the past year's pictures. I have done some scrapbooking in the past but as I think I may have said before, I change crafts depending on my mood.
I'm really not used to the camera I'm using yet, but I'll get there.
Also, started a new diet as you can see by the ticker....actually I've been doing good. I have a goal and I think I'm going to make it as I have a good start. Tuesday will be my weigh-in day...so watch for the changes....hopefully going down.
Another thing I'm doing is my own 50-book challenge. I signed up for Shelfari (see sidebar) and I really like it. Now that things have gotten quiet around here, I'm going to start shelving my books....I just love books!!!
I like to start the new year off with challenges and goals.....whether I make them or not, I like to give it a shot.
Well, I think I've talked enough for now. Hopefully I can blog alot more and read your blogs more. December was just very hectic with so much church stuff going on. Now I'm just going to chill for the winter. (get it? Chill..Winter?)
So, till next time, yinz crazy snowbabies......

Happy New Year, Yinz Guys!