Monthly Archives: May 2009

Best shopping trip ever!

I’ve really miss blogging. It just doesn’t seem like there’s ever time anymore. I’m sure everyone out there can relate to that! I’ve wanted to blog about last weekend all week, so here we go.

My Dad (the best Dad in the whole world!) took me clothes shopping last Saturday so I’d have some Maui clothes. My “sister” Leeanna and her friend Marla went with us. We made a day out of it, met for an early lunch, hit the mall, then went car shopping for Leeanna, and Dad and I met up at church a little later.

I really don’t know what Dad and I would have done if Leeanna and Marla hadn’t been there. They’re both in their early twenties and know so much more about what looks good than Dad and I do. I’m still convinced that if they hadn’t been there Dad and I would still be circling the mall. But after trying on countless dresses and other clothes I ended up with several outfits (and shoes) that will be great for the summer and definitely Maui!

It was the best shopping trip I’ve had in a very long time! To be 40 pounds lighter really made a difference. Things actually fit the way they are supposed to! And looked good! (I actually fit into a couple of size 10 items. Wow. I haven’t been a size 10 since 2002.) I’m so grateful for that wonderful day. Not just for getting the new clothes, but for the time spent with everyone. We laughed so much and just really had a great day!

Thank you so much Dad, for everything you do for us and for creating opportunities that bring me and Leeanna closer together! Love you!

loving Weight Watchers again

I can give a WHOLE list of excuses for going off my diet for a few weeks, or month and a half…whatever it was. But I think the bottom line was that I was just tired of dieting. Apparently I forgot about this being a life style change and not just another diet. And it amazes me just how stupid I can be sometimes. I realized the other day that I could be at my goal weight, right now, if I had just stuck with it.Stupid, stupid, stupid!

But, with the fear of swimsuits and being on the beach in Maui next month and the realization that “doing it on my own” resulted in a 7 pound weight gain, the calender started closing in on me and I finally got motivated again. Last Saturday Zale and I renewed our committment to the Weight Watcher’s point system. It’s almost like I was never on it. Except for the 33 (was 40) pound weight loss. But much like the very first week of Weight Watchers from last year, this second first week has been pretty successful. I’ve lost over 4 pounds in 6 days. I know the weight loss won’t stay at that pace, but I’m grateful for the added incentive. I hate that I went back wards for awhile, and I know that reaching my goal by Maui is pretty unrealistic, but if I can average 2 pounds a week, I’ll be that much closer and that much more comfortable. I can live with that! :)

You’re kidding….right?

A couple of days ago I took the kids to check the Law Office post office box in hopes of finding a check from a client, or the State of Tennessee (Zale does quite a bit of court appointed work). Instead of finding money from the State, I found an envelope from the Tennessee Department of Revenue. That’s never a good sign. I’m pretty sure I was holding my breath as I opened the envelope. Inside was a “tax return” bill, due on June 1st (we didn’t get it until May 18th). With a 5% penalty (thank you very much) if not paid by June 1st. For the amount of $400. Nice. But here’s her really funny part, I actually laughed. It’s called a privilege tax. Can you believe that? We’re being taxed for the privilege of having a professional business in the State of Tennessee. That’s on top of the $100 franchise something or other tax (no, we’re not a franchise), and a $300 annual fee of having a PLLC. We have an LLC as well for a separate business, so that’s $300 times 2.

Law school should really have a class to prepare you for all the “little” things to expect during your first year of business. A privilege tax???!!!! I’m almost scared to see what kind of fees they’re going to come up with next. And don’t even get me started on all the dues that need to be paid for Bar associations or the fees to be paid for the required CLEs (continuing legal education) every year. $50.00 here, $150.00 there, it’s just crazy.

Our CPA’s office has a sign that says something like “The only pain worse than natural child birth, is owning your own business.” I thought that was funny at the time….I’m beginning to understand. I’ve even thought about taking up cross stitching to do one of my own. I’ve delivered three babies, have had a few surgeries, one broken bone, and even suffered 2nd and third degree burns that required skin grafts. So I think I have enough experience with pain to say that the sign is absolutely correct. It may not be physical pain, but man it still hurts!

red stuff everywhere

For a while now we’ve been buying the generic Crystal Lite drink mixes. They’re cheaper, less calories, and taste just as good (in my opinion). We like to get a little creative and mix flavors when we make it. Which is what I had done yesterday afternoon. I mixed rasberry green tea with cherry limeade, put the pitcher in the fridge, threw away the trash from the drink mix and went on with my day.

A little bit later Hannah comes over to show me her red tongue. I didn’t think too much about it because she had a sippy cup with juice around the house somewhere, and I figured she’d been drinking that. I should have known better.  A few minutes later Reagan comes in with red hands, red face, and a stuffed animal that now had red all over it. Now I’m a little scared. Where in the world was all this red coming from? Looking closer at Reagan I see the “empty” package of cherry limeade drink mix she had gotten out of the trash. Yuck. She was licking her finger, then dipping her wet finger into the “empty” drink mix container, and licking her fingers again.  I may has well have handed her a bottle of red food coloring! I know, I should have taken pictures, but I was trying to hurry and save the rest of the house (walls, carpet, pets,  furniture, etc.)  from being painted red.

work out / yard work updates

We got back from Baltimore Sunday evening. I knew that the yard really needed attention before I left for our trip, but either it was raining or I didn’t have anyone to watch the girls so I could mow. I had forgotten how bad it really was until we pulled into the driveway. It looked so bad and I was embarrassed for the neighbours to see it. Finally, Monday afternoon I was able to mow while Anthony watched the girls. The grass was so high it kept killing the push mower. But I made it through the front, sides, and part of the back, with the push mower. The rest of the back I finished with the riding mower. The grass was so tall in the back that it even killed the riding mower a few times. But I finally got it done. It felt so much better to have that job complete! For a week, anyway.

Last night Zale and I took the girls for a walk around the neighborhood. We let Hannah walk instead of riding in the stroller, so we couldn’t walk quite as fast as we normally do, but we still made it around twice. I was proud of Hannah for walking so much on her own, and it good to see her wearing herself out! Then Zale had the idea of taking the kids to Sonic for a treat. Which completely negated any calories burned during our walk, but it was good family time. I think Anthony enjoyed it even though he didn’t really want to go with us. I’m so glad the weather is finally getting warmer so we can spend more time outside with the kids.

my cousin did such a good job!

Last weekend my Dad took me to Baltimore Maryland to visit our dear friends Jean, Sharon (their dog Maggie),  my cousin, his wife, and their kids. The REAL reason we were there was because it was opening weekend of the new Star Trek movie. Dad, Jean, and Kenneth are huge Scifi fans so it only made sense that they would go together, I took the opportunity to tag along. I enjoy Scifi too, but I opted to spend that time with Kenneth’s wife, Kirsten and their boys. I am looking forward to seeing the movie soon though.

Kirsten and I have gotten along so well that Kenneth even refers to her as “your friend” when he’s giving me a hard time about how well we get along. My expectations for the weekend were to spend Thursday night at Aunt Jean’s house and Kirsten was going to pick me up late Friday morning for a “girls” day. Then Saturday was dinner and movie with everyone. A low key, enjoyable time with friends and family. It was all that, but so much more.  As it turns out, I ended up spending most of Friday with Dad, Aunt Jean, and Aunt Sharon. They took us to this amazing restaurant, Pazo. The food and atmosphere were just incredible. I can’t even describe how wonderful the flavors were. I tried things I never thought I would, and liked EVERYTHING I tried. If you’re ever in Baltimore, I highly encourage you to try it!

Anyway, after dinner I met up with Kenneth and his family to spend the rest of the weekend at their house. We had missed our “girl” day, or so I thought. As it turns out, Kirsten had a whole day of pampering planned for Saturday before we met up again with Dad and Jean for dinner. For starters she treated me to a pedicure, then we went to a spa for facials and massages. I’ve never had these done professionally and let me just say I can’t wait to do it again! I left that place completely relaxed and almost zoned out.  Amazing! It’s a really good thing I wasn’t driving! And even after all that, Kirsten had also given me a Coach purse. Can I just say WOW! Happy Mother’s Day to Me! Then onto dinner at a Japanese steak house. The food was good there too, but nothing compared to Pazo’s.

I just had to tell Kenneth what a wonderful job he did in picking his wife. His response, of course, was that he’s just that awesome, so of course she couldn’t help herself but be with him. I have to say though, even better than all the pampering and gifts, I most enjoyed spending that time with friends and family. Getting to know each other even better and having wonderful conversations.

Dad, Kenneth, and Jean went to a late showing of the Star Trek movie after dinner Saturday. When Dad and Kenneth came back they were almost giddy. I think they had to stop themselves from staying at the theatre so they could watch it again. I’m guessing that if they had been to an earlier showing, they probably would have. When I asked how the movie was, Kenneth’s response (and I quote) was “It was FREAKIN AWESOME!” This from a usually very stoic military man, so I’m thinking it was a pretty good show.

So a huge thank you to Dad for taking me, Jean and Sharon for such a wonderful dinner and great conversation, Kenneth & Kirsten for the weekend of pampering and gifts. I think I gained about five pounds and I missed Zale and the kids so much, but it was a wonderful and relaxing trip! I can’t wait to see everyone again!