Pammie's Pad ~Life's Little Moments~

Useless

2011-09-15T08:42:00.001-07:00

Why is it that that unless I have something to give someone, to do for someone, I have something they want, they want nothing else to do with me... am I really that useless of a person, human... am I that bad to spend a little bit of time with? Not sure any of this is worth it...

Weigh In: Week 33

2011-04-11T08:26:00.000-07:00

Week 33 Stats:

4/11/11: 162.0
DOWN this week: 1.26 lbs.
Total so Far: 34.4 lbs.
Lbs to Go: 37.6 lbs.

Weigh In: Week 32

2011-04-04T08:25:00.000-07:00

Week 32 Stats:

4/4/11: 163.8
DOWN this week: 0 lbs.
Total so Far: 33.2 lbs.
Lbs to Go: 38.8 lbs.

Weigh In: Week 31

2011-03-28T08:22:00.000-07:00

Week 31 Stats:

3/28/11: 163.8
DOWN this week: .6 lbs.
Total so Far: 33.2 lbs.
Lbs to Go: 38.8 lbs.

Weigh In: Week 30

2011-03-21T07:32:00.000-07:00

Week 30 Stats:

Man.. I gotta lay off the evening coffees and get some exercise in...

3/21/11: 163.8
UP this week: 1.0 lbs.
Total so Far: 32.6 lbs.
Lbs to Go: 39.4 lbs.

Weigh In: Week 29

2011-03-14T07:30:00.000-07:00

Week 29 Stats:

3/14/11: 162.8
DOWN this week: 1.6 lbs.
Total so Far: 33.6 lbs.
Lbs to Go: 38.4 lbs.

Weigh In: Week 28

2011-03-07T07:28:00.000-08:00

Week 28 Stats:

3/7/11: 164.4
DOWN this week: .8lbs.
Total so Far: 32.0 lbs.
Lbs to Go: 40.0 lbs.

Weigh In: Week 27

2011-02-28T05:33:00.000-08:00

Week 27 Stats:

Finally, it's something but not enough.. I really really need to start walking, but I've been sick.

2/28/11: 165.2
DOWN this week: 1.6 lbs.
Total so Far: 31.2 lbs.
Lbs to Go: 40.8 lbs.

Weigh In: Week 25 & 26

2011-02-14T05:30:00.000-08:00

Week 25 & 26 Stats:

Hence, the reason I didn't post these seperately.. UGGGGGG.. I'm hardly eating anything, but following this diet.... GO DOWN ALREADY!

2/24/11: 166.8
DOWN this week: .0 lbs.
Total so Far: 29.6 lbs.
Lbs to Go: 42.4 lbs.

2/14/11: 166.8
DOWN this week: .0 lbs.
Total so Far: 29.6 lbs.
Lbs to Go: 42.4 lbs.

Weigh In: Week 24

2011-02-08T06:06:00.000-08:00

Week 24 Stats:

I really need to start walking again!

2/8/11: 166.8
DOWN this week: .6 lbs.
Total so Far: 29.6 lbs.
Lbs to Go: 42.4 lbs.

Weigh In: Week 23

2011-01-31T07:54:00.000-08:00

Week 23 Stats:

Ok, so I lost what I had gained last week... come on! Give me more, dangit... I need to get sick or something, LOL

1/31/11: 167.4
DOWN this week: 1.2 lbs.
Total so Far: 29.0 lbs.
Lbs to Go: 43.0 lbs.

Weigh In: Week 22

2011-01-24T07:52:00.000-08:00

Week 22 Stats:

BOOOO! I have NO idea what went wrong.. oh well, maybe not enough water and exercise.. blah blah blah!

1/24/11: 168.6
UP this week: 1.2 lbs.
Total so Far: 29.0 lbs.
Lbs to Go: 44.2 lbs.

VitaTops Muffins - Review

2011-01-19T06:24:00.000-08:00

Alot of the women in the Weight Watchers group have been talking about these VitaTop Muffins and even Hungry Girl talked about them, so I had to at least try to find them and give them a try.

I found them at Target for $4.29 for a box of 4.. thats 4 measly muffins.. They need to be kept in the Freezer. They are not too small, not heavy (dense) but has a bit of weight to them, you can tell they have fiber in them, a little grainy, but good, but not worth buying them each week for $4.29 and have Martin eat 2 at one time.. which he will if he finds these. So unless I'm at Target and think about it, this will probably be the last time I buy them OR if they start carrying them at Winco and are cheaper, I might buy them every now and then. I would rather buy the Weight Watchers cookies because you get more in a box for the price.

Anyways, they are worth a try and they are only 1 point each, so maybe that counts out the price for some people?

Weigh In: Week 21

2011-01-17T06:20:00.000-08:00

Week 21 Stats:

Whooohooo!

1/17/11: 167.4
DOWN this week: 1.6 lbs.
Total so Far: 29.0 lbs.
Lbs to Go: 43.0 lbs.

Weigh In: Week 20

2011-01-10T07:11:00.000-08:00

Week 20 Stats:

Didn't loose, didn't gain... whew!

1/10/11: 169.6
DOWN this week: 0 lbs.
UP this week: 0 lbs
Total so Far: 27.4 lbs.
Lbs to Go: 44.6 lbs.

Weigh In: Week 19

2011-01-04T08:54:00.002-08:00

Week 19 Stats:

Whew, broke the 170 mark.. now I need to recalculate my points! I have 20 points now, not 21.. but I still get my 25 extras per week! That really helps!

1/3/11: 169.6
DOWN this week: 1.0 lbs.
Total so Far: 27.4 lbs.
Lbs to Go: 44.6 lbs.

Weigh In: Week 18

2010-12-27T08:54:00.000-08:00

Week 18 Stats:

At least I didn't gain!

12/27/10: 170.6
DOWN this week: 0 lbs.
Total so Far: 26.4 lbs.
Lbs to Go: 45.6 lbs.

Weigh In: Week 17

2010-12-20T08:51:00.000-08:00

Week 17 Stats:

Having a really hard time but I still lost. I am snacking a bit, but not as much as last year!

12/20/10: 170.6
DOWN this week: 1.4 lbs.
Total so Far: 26.4 lbs.
Lbs to Go: 45.6 lbs.

Weigh In: Week 16

2010-12-13T08:50:00.000-08:00

Week 16 Stats:

12/13/10: 172.0
DOWN this week: .4 lbs.
Total so Far: 25.0 lbs.
Lbs to Go: 47.0 lbs.

Weigh In: Week 15

2010-12-07T07:12:00.000-08:00

Week 15 Stats:

I'm having a little bit of a hard time with all the chocolates and starbucks and Cupcakes and Cookies and everything in my face.. I can look but I can't eat is not a good feeling!!! LOL! But I'll make it through!

12/6/10: 172.4
DOWN this week: .6 lbs.
Total so Far: 24.6 lbs.
Lbs to Go: 47.4 lbs.

Weigh In: Week 14

2010-11-29T09:30:00.000-08:00

Week 14 Stats:

Not too bad considering there were 2 days of Thanksgiving eating going on! LOL

11/29/10: 173.0
UP this week: .2 lbs.
Total so Far: 24.0 lbs.
Lbs to Go: 48 lbs.

Weigh In: Week 13

2010-11-22T09:35:00.000-08:00

Week 13 Stats:

Even with eating birthday cake, Happy Birthday Martin!!! WHOOHOOO!

11/22/10: 172.8
Down this week: 1.8 lbs.
Total so Far: 24.2 lbs.
Lbs to Go: 47.8 lbs.

Weigh In: Week 12

2010-11-15T09:31:00.000-08:00

Week 12 Stats:

Nothing lost, nothing gained :))

11/15/10: 174.6
Down this week: 0 lbs.
Total so Far: 22.4 lbs.
Lbs to Go: 49.6 lbs.

Weigh In: Week 11

2010-11-09T09:37:00.000-08:00

Week 11 Stats:

11/9/10: 174.6
Down this week: 2.6 lbs.
Total so Far: 22.4 lbs.
Lbs to Go: 49.6 lbs.

Weigh In: Week 10

2010-11-02T09:00:00.000-07:00

Week 10 Stats:

11/1/10: 177.2
Down this week: 1.0 lbs.
Total so Far: 19.8 lbs.
Lbs to Go: 52.2 lbs.

Weigh In: Week 9

2010-10-25T07:34:00.000-07:00

Week 9 Stats:

10/25/10: 178.2
Down this week: 1.6 lbs.
Total so Far: 18.8 lbs.
Lbs to Go: 53.2 lbs.

Weigh In: Week 8

2010-10-18T07:26:00.000-07:00

Week 8 Stats:

10/18/10: 179.8
Down this week: 1.2 lbs.
Total so Far: 17.2 lbs.
Lbs to Go: 54.8 lbs.

Surviving a Birthday Party on Weight Watchers

2010-10-17T17:55:00.000-07:00

Yep... I did it, with flying colors, I'm so proud of myself. I already had my points all figured out to what I could have. They had Pizza, Cake and Ice Cream. So.. I had ONE piece of Pizza and ONE small piece of cake, no ice cream. I figured out the Pizza to be 6 points and the cake to be 6 also. I could be wrong, but I looked it up in my WW book.. so it has to be somewhat right. We shall find out tomorrow if I gained any.. tomorrow is my weigh in day!

At the end of the day (after a normal ww dinner) I had ONE point to spare and I didn't even dip into my extra points!!! Unlike Martin, who went to 65 points for the whole day, WHOA! But he is really doing good and treated himself.. It's ok, he knows what to do now.. keep on going :))

Mackinzie's 1st Birthday

2010-10-17T16:45:00.000-07:00

Friday was Mackinzie's 1st birthday and her party was on Saturday. Demaree had her dressed in a cute pink tutu that she made and a cute little birthday onsie with a pricess crown on it, oh and a cute pink bow for her hair. She was just so adorable, IS so adorable.. She got lots of cute outfits and some toys.. here are a few photos, I have more coming of her eating her cake. My camera got full so I have to wait for my mother to send me those photos..

Weigh In: Week 7

2010-10-11T13:55:00.000-07:00

Week 7 Stats:

10/11/10: 181.0
Down this week: 3.2 lbs.
Total so Far: 16.0 lbs.
Lbs to Go: 56.0 lbs.

Need to Loose Weight

2010-10-10T11:04:00.000-07:00

Update on Life: I'm fat..lol so Me and Martin started weight watchers points about 7 weeks ago.. and we are are doing really good, Martin is doing really good.. but this is about me, LOL So I'll be posting updates on my weigh in's and even recipes that I try out, snacks, etc..

What I need to do is go BACK and post my weigh in's to bring things up to date.. I'm going to be 100% honest about my weight, about struggles, etc.. It's going to hurt, but if I post about it, it will probably help me....

Starting Weight: 197 lbs.
My Ideal Weight: 105 lbs.
My Goal Weight: 125 lbs.
I Need to Loose: 72 lbs.

Project 365

2010-10-10T10:35:00.000-07:00

Well.... My project 365 is a bust.. I just can't keep up. To the women who are doing this project.. I give you props, keep up the good work and good luck!!!

Weigh In: Week 6

2010-10-04T12:07:00.000-07:00

Week 6 Stats:

10/4/10: 184.2
Down this week: 1.6 lbs.
Total so Far: 12.8 lbs.
Lbs to Go: 59.2 lbs.

Weigh In: Week 5

2010-09-27T12:05:00.000-07:00

Week 5 Stats:

9/27/10: 185.8
Down this week: 1.0 lbs.
Total so Far: 11.2 lbs.
Lbs to Go: 60.8 lbs.

Chicken Veggie Pizza

2010-09-25T13:25:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd share what I had for dinner last night since I made the girls a pizza, I wanted one too and since Martin worked late I didn't have to make something big for dinner.

1 Flatout wrap - 1 point
2 oz chicken - 2 point
1 tbsp Pizza Sauce (says 1/4 cup is 1 point) - 0 Points
Red Bell Pepper, Thin Sliced Zuchinni, Shredded Carrots - 0 Points
1/4 Mozzerella Cheese - 2 Points

Baked in 425 oven until cheese melted and the veggies were crunchy but very good. I had to fold it in half becuase it was too flimsy to cut and pickup, LOL so it looked like a BIG taco! But OMG, soooo sooo good!!!
I did spray the zuchinni with butter spray after it was cooked because they looked a little dry.. those were my pepperonis, LOL

Then I had another 2 point chicken SMALL Salad becuase honestly after that pizza I was totally full...

2 Points for Chicken
1 Point for ff Dressing

Total Chicken Veggie Pizza and Chicken Salad = 8 Points!

Weigh In: Week 4

2010-09-20T12:01:00.000-07:00

Week 4 Stats:

9/20/10: 186.8
Down this week: 2.8 lbs.
Total so Far: 10.2 lbs.
Lbs to Go: 61.8 lbs.

Weigh In: Week 3

2010-09-13T11:59:00.000-07:00

Week 3 Stats:

9/13/10: 189.6
Down this week: 1.4 lbs.
Total so Far: 7.4 lbs.
Lbs to Go: 64.6 lbs.

Weigh In: Week 2

2010-09-06T11:58:00.000-07:00

Week 2 Stats:

9/6/10: 191.0
Down this week: 3.0 lbs.
Total so Far: 6.0 lbs.
Lbs to Go: 66.0 lbs.

Weigh In: Week 1

2010-08-30T11:54:00.000-07:00

I had a hard first day, but after that first day, I was fine... Easy peasy :))

Week 1 Stats:

8/30/10: 194.0
Down this week: 3.0 lbs.
Total so Far: 3.0 lbs.
Lbs to Go: 69.0 lbs.

Full Weight Loss Stats

2010-08-23T13:35:00.000-07:00

Up-to-Date Full Weight Loss Stats:

My Starting Weight: 197 lbs.
My Ideal Weight: 105 lbs.
My Goal Weight: 125 lbs.
I Need to Loose: 72 lbs.

Date Weight Down Total To Go

4/11/11: * 162.0 * { -1.2 } * { -34.4 } * 37.6
4/4/11: * 163.2 * { -0 } * { -33.2 } * 38.8
3/28/11: * 163.2 * { -.6 } * { -33.2 } * 38.8
3/21/11: * 163.8 * { -1.0 } * { -32.6 } * 39.4
3/14/11: * 162.8 * { -1.6 } * { -33.6 } * 38.4
3/7/11: * 164.4 * { -.8 } * { -32.0 } * 40.0
2/28/11: * 165.2 * { -1.6 } * { -31.2 } * 40.8
2/24/11: * 166.8 * { -.6 } * { -29.6 } * 42.4
2/14/11: * 166.8 * { -.6 } * { -29.6 } * 42.4
2/8/11: * 166.8 * { -.6 } * { -29.6 } * 42.4
1/31/11: * 167.4 * { -1.2 } * { -29.0 } * 43.0
1/24/11: * 168.6 * { +1.2 } * { -27.8 } * 44.2.0
1/17/11: * 167.4 * { -1.6 } * { -29.0 } * 43.0
1/10/11: * 169.6 * { -0 } * { -27.4 } * 44.6
1/3/11: * 169.6 * { -1.0 } * { -27.4 } * 44.6
12/27/10: * 170.6 * { -0 } * { -26.4 } * 45.6
12/20/10: * 170.6 * { -1.4 } * { -26.4 } * 45.6
12/13/10: * 172.0 * { -.4 } * { -25.0 } * 47.0
12/6/10: * 172.4 * { -.6 } * { -24.6 } * 47.4
11/29/10: * 173.0 * { +.2 } * { -24.0 } * 48.0
11/22/10: * 172.8 * { -1.8 } * { -24.2 } * 47.8
11/15/10: * 174.6 * { -00 } * { -22.4 } * 49.6
11/09/10: * 174.6 * { -2.6 } * { -22.4 } * 49.6
11/01/10: * 177.2 * { -1.0 } * { -19.8 } * 52.2
10/25/10: * 178.2 * { -1.6 } * { -18.8 } * 53.2
10/18/10: * 179.8 * { -1.2 } * { -17.2 } * 54.8
10/11/10: * 181.0 * { -3.2 } * { -16.0 } * 56.0
10/04/10: * 184.2 * { -1.6 } * { -12.8 } * 59.2
09/27/10: * 185.8 * { -1.0 } * { -11.2 } * 60.8
09/20/10: * 186.8 * { -2.8 } * { -10.2 } * 61.8
09/13/10: * 189.6 * { -1.4 } * { -7.4 } * 64.6
09/06/10: * 191.0 * { -3.0 } * { -6.0 } * 66.0
08/30/10: * 194.0 * { -3.0 } * { -3.0 } * 69.0
08/23/10: * 197.0

Starting a New Diet

2010-08-23T11:49:00.000-07:00

So I'm back posting because I'm a bad blogger! LOL

Me and Martin decided to go on Weight Watchers Points.. We are doing it from home, the meetings are too expensive right now. So here goes:

Starting Weight: 197 lbs.
My Ideal Weight: 105 lbs.
My Goal Weight: 125 lbs.
I Need to Loose: 72 lbs.

Just a Waitin - Day 26

2010-07-06T19:25:00.000-07:00

Waiting for one of my projects to be approved so far so that I can continue and get it finished.. tik-tok, tik-tok!

Project 365 is Challenging - Day 25

2010-07-05T19:17:00.000-07:00

Wow, it's hard to take a photo everyday and have it be "interesting".. really, it's hard.. so I have made a decision and going to make my own rules about MY Project 365.

Because I am a web/blog designer, I have decided to include screenshots of what I am doing in my work along with some days having actual photos.

I'm making THIS post my Day 25. Don't judge me, LOL

Happy 4th of July! (Day 24)

2010-07-04T19:12:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th of July! What a nice day, the girls went swimming and then we had BBQ'd Pork Steaks, Rice Pilaf, Salad and then homemade Strawberry Cheesecake! YUM! Mackinzie loved the fireworks. I took pics of the fireworks, but they didn't come out great..

Boat'n - Day 23

2010-07-03T19:09:00.000-07:00

Martin was working on his boat making a pole thingy that you can barely see, so that the tarp doesn't lay flat, that it has something to rest on.. not sure why.. but it came out great.. works good too!

Hungry Kitty - Day 22

2010-07-02T15:47:00.000-07:00

Muffin eating out of the cat food container, LOL

Playing Games - Day 21

2010-07-01T15:41:00.000-07:00

Allison concentrating on her Pawz and Clawz game..

Bubble Wrap - Day 20

2010-06-30T15:39:00.000-07:00

I LOVE bubble wrap!

Beautiful Morning - Day 19

2010-06-29T15:34:00.000-07:00

What a gorgeous morning!!! So I decided to take my coffee outside, the birds were singing, the cats were with me, I love the sound of water, it was so quiet.. and for some reason, this looked so pretty..

Cosmetology Test

2010-06-29T14:56:00.001-07:00

Demaree had her test on Monday and is now a certified Cosmetologist. I'm very proud of her. She has worked hard and we've gone through two too many tests.. I'm glad she passed because I really started to scare myself. I kept telling myself that if she didn't pass this time I was going to go postal on them, LOL

Before we left Fairfield for the last time, we wanted to stop by the Jelly Belly Factory.. Got just a few pics because I really was so tired and stressed out, LOL

See, I was so stressed I didn't even get them in this picture, LOL

But I did get them next to the Jelly Belly Car.

Cosmetologist - Day 18

2010-06-28T14:53:00.000-07:00

YES!!! Demaree got her license! I'm so proud of her and now she can do what she loves to do and get paid for it.. Good job and Congratulations to my baby, Demaree!

Computer Girl - Day 17

2010-06-27T14:49:00.000-07:00

I think Mara needs more sun.. she's been on the computer or playing video games since school let out for summer..

Outdoor Shower - Day 16

2010-06-26T14:44:00.000-07:00

No we don't live out on the farm with no indoor plumbing.. LOL I always teasing the girls while they are swimming that I'm going to give them soap, shampoo and conditioner so they can just take their shower.. so this time I did, and Mara showered! LOL With her bathing suit on of course..

Pink Polka Dot Bikini Girl - Day 15

2010-06-25T14:42:00.000-07:00

Isn't she adorable? Need I say more? LOL

Discovery Center

2010-06-24T10:01:00.000-07:00

Here are more pictures from our day:

Beautiful Flowers - Day 14

2010-06-24T09:51:00.000-07:00

We took the girls to The Discovery Center in Fresno. It was nice, I loved all the flowers. I'll post more pictures next.

New Style - Day 13

2010-06-23T09:43:00.000-07:00

Demaree came over to "practice" on my hair and give me a fresh cut and color before her State Board test. So she styled it for me and gave me a big (big for me) puff in the back.. It wasn't as big as Snooki's, but it was big enough, LOL

Cuppa Joe - Day 12

2010-06-22T09:40:00.000-07:00

My favorite morning beverage!

Nappy Time - Day 11

2010-06-21T21:01:00.000-07:00

I watched Mackinzie today while Demaree took a cosmo class.. We had lots of fun, then it was time for a nap with Allison. Do you think they slept? NO, LOL

Killer Sharks - Day 10

2010-06-20T20:58:00.000-07:00

Demaree made her daddy these awesome shark cupcakes for Father's Day! I think she did pretty good for a girl who never wanted to cook or bake when she lived at home.. I didn't even think she knew what a pan was, LOL

Catch of the Day - Day 9

2010-06-19T11:28:00.000-07:00

Martin went fishing and caught his limit of 5 fish! By the time I took this picture he was already cutting up and gutting one of them, too gross, so this is 4 of them in the ice chest..

BBQ with Family

2010-06-19T09:52:00.000-07:00

We had a little family BBQ yesterday with the family, Martin, the girls, Demaree, Mackinzie, Nathan (he came after work), Shari, Marisa, Nalani, Michael and my Mom and Abriana. The kids all played in the pool while us adults sat around, ate and laughed alot, LOL

Here are some photos:

Day 8: Nose Squeezing

2010-06-18T09:48:00.000-07:00

Martin has been squeezing my nose and the girls' noses FOREVER, it's like his favorite thing to do.. LOL So now it's Mackinzie's turn to get her nose squeezed, I just love this picture!

Day 7: Goober For How Long?

2010-06-17T18:02:00.000-07:00

So.. I bought a new jar of Mr. Goober Grape.. We are gonna see how long this jar lasts.. It should last at least a whole week with ONLY Allison eating it, maybe even a bit longer. So it's Thursday, June 17th and it's newly opened, Allison had 2 halves for lunch today.

Day 6: Fun with Cousins

2010-06-16T22:45:00.000-07:00

My sister has her grandkids for about 2 weeks, they are from Yuma, Arizona. So we got together for a fun day in the pool.

Day 5: Wacom Fun

2010-06-15T21:50:00.000-07:00

Allison decided to try out the new Wacom Bambo Pen. It's a bit hard to maneuver compared to the mouse, but she will get the hang of it.

Day 4: Goober Be Gone!

2010-06-14T09:17:00.000-07:00

Someone, I won't mention his name, found the Goober Grape! Need I say more?

Day 3: Goober Grape

2010-06-13T07:52:00.000-07:00

Are there any food items you have to hide from your husband?

There are several that I have to hide from Martin. And the only reason is because they are Allison's.. she is the only one in this house who is able to get away with eating this stuff and NOT gain weight, LOL Regular Peanut Butter, Nutella and Goober Grape PB & J. These are the three top ones. If I don't hide them.. they are gone in ONE or sometimes TWO days.. really... and then I have to find new hiding places because if Martin thinks they are in the house, he will look for them..

Anyways, here is one of Allison's favorite lunches.

Day 2: Knuckles

2010-06-12T13:43:00.000-07:00

Yesterday a friend of Mara's came over for the day and brought Allison a gift, a knuckles stuffy, which she played with the rest of the day. Knuckles is from the cartoon and games, Sonic Adventures. My girls have several of the Gamecube games, they love those games!

Day 1: Baby Food

2010-06-11T13:36:00.000-07:00

Demaree is giving Mackinzie different baby foods to try. Today is Strawberry Banana.. maybe a bit tart? lol She did eat it all though..

Project 365

2010-06-11T11:15:00.000-07:00

Project 365 - What is it? Simply put: Take one picture a day for one year and post it to your blog. Simple. Easy.

I have decided to jump on the bandwagon and start my project TODAY, especially since I do have a new digital camera, might as well get good use of it.

Here are some great TIPS for your Project 365:

1) Take Your Camera Everywhere. Yes, everywhere. Get in the habit. Grocery stores, restaurants, parties, work, and school. Camera phones are a great substitute for a traditional digital camera.

2) Make Posting Easy. Blogs are fun, easy and FREE. You can start a new blog in minutes. Other easy ways to post your photos are on photo sharing sites. Flickr will let you post a week’s worth of photos in 2 minutes flat, and fotolog and Photoblog.com are geared toward a photo-a-day workflow. Making it fast and easy means you’re much more likely to do it.

3) Vary Your Themes. Perform photographic experiments. Take a photo of someone new you met, something you ate for the first time, or something you just learned how to do. Take a photo of something that made you smile. And don’t forget to take a photo of yourself at least once a month so you can remember how you’ve changed, too.

4) Tell a Story. Use your blog entry, or your photo description, to explain what’s going on in each day’s photograph. How good did that dinner taste? What made you want to take a photo of that stranger? It’ll help you remember down the road, and it gives friends following along a better appreciation of why you took the photo you did. You don’t need to write a lot, just enough to add some color.

5) Don’t Stop, No Matter What. You will probably get tired of taking a photo every single day or simply forget. There will be times you’ll think there’s nothing interesting left to take a photo of, and times you’ll think you didn’t do anything exciting enough to take a photo of. There’s always a great photo to be made.
Get out of the house and take a walk. Or stay inside and look around. Take a photo of something important to you. Take a photo of the inside of your house so you can see how your taste has changed over the years. Take a photo of anything, just don’t stop.

6) Post Early, Post Often. Plan on going through and posting your photos at least once a week so you don’t get backlogged and feel overwhelmed. Ideally, post every day or two. Again, spend the time up front to make sure it’s quick and easy to post. It’ll make all the difference.

NOTE: Project 365 tips were borrowed from the Photojojo.com website.

Summer & Allison's Birthday

2010-06-08T18:07:00.000-07:00

Summer is here and the girls are out of school for the summer! I'm pretty excited about it this year.. most of the time I dread the boredom and complaining.. well... I still do , LOL But for some reason I'm more happy about them being home than most..

We put up our new pool about 2 weeks ago and got it ready for Allison's Birthday party which was on Sunday. She had a great time with her cousins and had one of her friends over, Jocelyn. We got her what she has been wanting for a long time, a Nintendo DS.. She has been playing with it ever since..

Here are some photos from her special day!

Gallstones

2010-05-29T11:26:00.000-07:00

No, not me, Demaree. She started having symptoms about 3 months after having Mackinzie and gradually, her pain got worse. At one of her late night emergency room visits, she was told by the doctor that she had gallstones! WHAT? She's so young! I really thought only older people get gallstones. But women of ages 20-40 get them, and a poor diet is a factor as well.

She had her surgery yesterday and all seemed to be fine. Last night her pain medication (vicodin) wasn't working and she was doubled up in really bad pain, she said worse then labor pain, in her stomach and back and she was throwing up. So about midnight, she couldn't take it any longer, so they took the baby to Nathan's parents and went to the emergency room at the hospital that the surgery was done. After a few pleads to take her in, they decided to call our local hospital to see if they would take her in right away, they said they would, so they left that hospital and came to our local one. They hooked her up to an IV and gave her morphine. So after about 5:30 they were able to get home. Thank goodness! They prescribed her a different medication, something stronger than Vicodin, have no idea what it is. So hopefully she won't be in anymore pain.

New Blog Design

2010-05-28T13:44:00.000-07:00

I just bought this beautiful scrapkit by Shabby Miss Jenn and just had to use it in my blog design. It's a beautiful kit and just knew it would look wonderful on my blog.

Swing Mackinzie, Swing!

2010-04-24T16:49:00.000-07:00

Here is a video of Mackinzie and Allison (her aunti). Mackinzie is in the little swing gramma and grampa bought her, this is the same swingset we bought Demaree about 16 years ago... I think it might be time to replace it, LOL Look at those cute cankles! lol

It's a Bird, It's a Dragon, It's a Staple Remover!

2010-04-13T20:15:00.000-07:00

Oh my beautiful Allison.... She's got a good imagination, she LOVES to draw and she has been making paper dragons and birds since she could handle scissors!

I have been wondering where my staple remover went to... I found out when I was cleaning her room today, look what I found, it's a bird!

UPDATE: She says it's a "Gleature".. what's a Gleature?

More Ugly Trees Gone and Bubbles Too!

2010-04-11T15:07:00.000-07:00

More trees were cut down on Friday.. Thank goodness they are all gone.. just some left debris to pickup and to take more of each stump down to the ground so THEN we can do something else with the beds and get new trees in..

Here are the last of the photos.. The last one is the video of the tree coming down in action and a few bubbles thanks to Allison! lol

Ugly Trees be Gone!

2010-04-07T22:30:00.000-07:00

We must have the 4 ugliest trees in America.. They are Pepper Trees and in the summer BEES swarm in them, it's awful when the girls go swimming.

We have been waiting for years and years to be able to get rid of these ugly things.. me and Martin have a running argument over WHO exactly wanted them.. I say he did, he says I did.. Then later when the ugly trees would come up in conversation (arguments, LOL) , he would blame our next door neighbors who lived next to us at the time we got them, LOL

So now we are getting rid of them.. 2 of them today, 2 on Friday. Here are the pix from today:

Easter Fun

2010-04-05T22:21:00.000-07:00

Easter Bash at my house.. My kids, Demaree and Mackinzie, Mom, Jennifer and Kids, Shari and Marisa and Heather and her kiddos were here. Both Martin and Nathan had to work.

We all had a good time except that it was cold, too cold to take Mackinzie outside. Here are a few pics:

No New Car for Us

2010-03-31T14:27:00.000-07:00

Well, we didn't win the car, yet again... oh well... maybe Martin's store will be eligible again another year..

Wordless Wednesday: Kitten Mittens

2010-03-30T20:47:00.001-07:00

Mackinzie Mia

2010-03-27T07:49:00.000-07:00

Mama (Demaree) was getting her to laugh really hard, it was so cute!

Columbia Ghost Town

2010-03-26T07:35:00.000-07:00

Me, Martin and Mara went on Allison's 4th grade trip up to Columbia Ghost Town on Wednesday. We (and alot of other parents) followed the buses in our car, I love that drive, it's so pretty, makes you want to have a house in the hills with lots of cows, sheep, chickens.. really! OH and I DID get a sunburn, go figure!

That's Martin, Mara and Allison lagging behind, LOL

Allison panning for gold.. she didn't find any..

Mara panning for gold, she didn't find any either...
I know they look so sad here.. but I think at this point geting up at 4:30 a.m. was hitting them... lol

Mara and Allison on some big rocks!

Morro Bay Trip

2010-03-22T07:26:00.000-07:00

We decided to actually do something on Martin's vacation this time.. so we went for an overnight trip to Morro Bay this past weekend. It was fun and cold, which I love!! We didn't stay at Motel 6 this time, we stayed at Travel Lodge. It was nicer than Motel 6 and it had a small fridge and microwave AND small coffee pot. cute! Allison loved the fridge so she put all our drinks from the ice chest into it, lol OH, and I didn't get a sunburn this time, whooohoooo!

Here are a few pix:

Wordless Wednesday, Sorta....

2010-03-17T10:43:00.000-07:00

I want to put this photo up on I can haz Cheezeburger! LOL

Minature Golfing

2010-03-16T08:59:00.000-07:00

We took the girls miniature golfing on Sunday. Here are a few photos of the girls:

Computer Problems

2010-03-16T08:50:00.000-07:00

I had computer problems 2 weeks ago. The computer shut down twice, then froze.. I was scared to death.. weird to say that about a computer, but I have EVERYTHING on here, all my client files, graphics, etc. So I frantically started moving everything to my external hard drive, then called the computer guy, Gary.

He had my computer from Tuesday to Saturday.. yeah.. He couldn't really even find anything wrong with it other than it was terribly slow but all the specs were reading fine. weird.. So he suggested a factory restore. He did that on Friday and I got my computer back on Saturday. Everything seems to be fine now.. no weird noises, it's faster, etc.

I had to put all my programs back on, etc., but at least I have all my files safely tucked away on my external. People, backup your stuff, either to DVD's or to an external Hard Drive. It's so worth it!

Update on Cosmo Test

2010-03-08T08:53:00.000-08:00

She didn't pass again, and she did everything right, she was confident and move quickly and accurately.. It's too long of a story to go into, but needless to say, I think the whole testing process is a sham and they pick and choose who to pass AND they probably have a daily quota of students to fail.. it's job security you know... I should write to Arnold Schwarzenegger and let him know the state could save alot of money if they did away with this freaggin testing and licensing process! IDIOTS!

That's all I have to say about it..

New Camera

2010-03-08T08:46:00.001-08:00

WHOOHOOO, I gots myself a new digital camera! I've been without one for about a year now.. it really sucked! I bought it off of Ebay.. There was a mixup with Federal Express and they delivered it to the wrong address. But the home owner was nice enough (2 days later after it was delivered to him) to bring it to me. But this is what I got (didn't think I wanted a red camera, but it's all good):

It's so much nicer than what I had.. I can't wait to start taking pictures again!

Cosmotology Test

2010-03-01T07:53:00.001-08:00

Well, we are off tonight so Demaree can take her Cosmo test again on Tuesday. Please keep your fingers and toes crossed that she passes this time. She only has to take the practical hands on test not the written, which she passed last time. AND please pray that I can keep myself awake this time!

Bad Blogger

2010-02-28T20:20:00.000-08:00

Kinda peeved at myself for not blogging.. yeah, I can make a good blog, but I can't even keep up with my own.. such a dork... so I really have got to just do it, even if it's once a week!!! STARTING tomorrow! LOL

Free Twitter Backgrounds

2010-02-06T18:43:00.001-08:00

I just added 9 more Valentine's Twitter Backgrounds and 1 Food (Cupcakes) Twitter Background, which could also be for Valentine's day to my Wallpapers and Twitter Boutique Blog.

Wallpaper and Twitter Boutique

Perfume Givaway

2010-02-03T13:19:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone...

The gal from the last blog design I just did is having a great giveaway on her blog boutique! She asked that I spread the word around, she is giving away a Sarah Jessica Parker Lovely Perfume Gift Set, go enter to win here: http://www.diva-darling.com/

Being "Gramma"

2010-01-04T21:06:00.000-08:00

I'm still adjusting to this gramma thing.. I don't even want it to be "GranDma", just gramma, soft to say... not so harsh like with the "D", LOL I think it sounds too old.. I'm not that "grandma"!

I have babysat several times now and I babysat again today.. She is such a gorgeous baby and is so much like Demaree when she was a baby.. it's almost like it's her all over again.. She is smiling and trying to talk, then get's sidetracked by something else, then doesn't know if she wants to be happy or cry, LOL I love that I get to change her, walk around with her and talk with her, Mara and Allison love her too, they talk to her and can't wait to play with her when she can sit up on her own.. I can't wait for her to start to giggle.. I'll probably cry...

About 3 years after Allison was born, who is now 9, I knew for a long long time that I didn't want any more children, I didn't want to be around them, smell them, have anything to do with them. The horrible thing is my youngest sister had a baby 2 years ago, and honestly, I could have cared less! And I tried!!!! LOL Really, I LOVE babies, they are so cute and smell soooooo good!!! But at that time, I knew it was OVER, no more babies!!! LOL

Now.. What I have found that I really like about being "gramma", is that Mackinzie goes home.. the crying baby goes HOME, LOL WOW, how great is that? LOL When they do go home, and I love them all to death, but I do this little sigh of relief that I don't have to do that anymore, LOL Me and Martin just look at each other and say, "Can you imagine having to do that again?".. We both say NO!

Adventures in Cosmetology Testing

2009-12-07T12:20:00.000-08:00

NOT! lol

Not me.. for Demaree. She had to take her State Board tests for Cosmetology to get her license.

First.. let me tell you about the rental car.. I ordered an intermediate size one and they had to give us a free upgrade because there weren't any left, there were 5 people ahead of me when I got there.. so we got a 2009 Buick Enclave.. it was beautiful, it was brown metallic, it was awesome! But we hated the back, the trunk... it's NOT for a family or for traveling and luggage, it's more for just jetting your kids to school and getting around town.. There isn't a trunk, it's just a small hatch that you can actually get to from the very back seat. It has two seats right behind the driver and then a middle walk-through to the back bucket seat, that is very tiny and not good for a car seat.. we had to put Mackinzie on the side, not the middle, but that was ok because the door isn't right there anyways, it felt safe and secure. I let Nathan drive up and back and I rode in the back with Mackinzie, he's a great driver. The Enclave is a great drive, great luxury, but what a shame on the space for groceries or luggage.

We left my house about 7 p.m. Mackinzie slept most of the way, up till we got to Lodi, which was our turn off of Highway 99. We fed and changed her, went to the bathroom ourselves, then got back on our way. She stayed awake for the rest of the ride, I entertained her with the flashlight until we got there, LOL She loved it, she was fascinated by it and even talked and cooed to it, it was so cute, I cried, LOL

Nathan slept on one bed with Mackinzie. Mackinzie sleeps on a pad that you put on the changing table, at an incline, LOL That's the only thing she will sleep on.. so they brought it.. she slept above Nathans head and me and Demaree had the other bed. I didn't get much sleep.. I kept hearing her ALMOST wake up, ALOT, but she never did, it was just her noises that kept me awake.. About 4 a.m. I woke up fully and couldn't go back to sleep, then the 4:45 wake up call came, uggg.. we had to be at the Rent-a-Kit at 5:45 a.m. for a demonstration then the models (ME) had to change our shirts into this terri cloth thingy, then we had to register and wait. We got in the testing rooms at 7:00 a.m. There were only 7 students, 7 models to a room with a Teacher/Tester lady. There were 7 stations, like when you go to get your hair done, the same chairs, mirrors, etc. just like she was working at a salon.

The test was like this.. Each girl/boy had their big huge kit, they had 5 minutes to unpack everything onto their station, get everything setup like they were at work. Then they had a huge binder that the teacher changed to a page, then you read it to find out what procedures you are doing. She called them appointments.. it's like you are at work and your model is the client. Each student has from 7:30 to 10:20 for her first 5 appointments. The students couldn't talk, the models couldn't talk, it was only hand gestures, like to get up to go wash hair, etc. It was so quiet in there, just hearing what the girls are doing with scissors, water, and walking around. So guess what.. it was quiet, warm and I was tired.. what do you think I was trying NOT to do about the last hour... from like 9 a.m. to our break, I think I almost fell to sleep three times, LOL My eye lids were going crazy, it was horrible!!!! When the break came, she was almost done with her last appointment.. but had to stop. The lady walks around the whole time taking notes and checking when each girl is done with something. We had a quick 20 minute break, my hair was still gunky.. they use gels and some kind of foam for their pretend hair colors, perms, etc.. and Demaree didn't quite wash them out each time, because of the time limit, she wanted to hurry..

Then when the break was over, it was another 4 appointments til 12:00 She barely finished my eye brow waxing, which was real by the way and thank god, when the end bell rang. It was noon. So, they had to pack everything up, and the models had to leave the premises. Then Demaree had a 20 minute break, then on to the 2 hour written test. OH and by the way.. I was feeling drowsy and tried to keep myself awake AGAIN!

When I left, I had so much gunk in my hair, it wasn't even funny, LOL Anyways, I got to the hotel, took another shower, then Nathan took everything to the car, they let us check out at 1:30 p.m. We checked out, went to have a lunch, because I was almost going to throw up from not eating, then we went back to the testing place and waited for Demaree.

We saw her walking towards us, she was smiling, it though YAAAAY, she passed.. but guess what... she past the written test, she failed the practical by 9 freaking points!!!! And now she has to go back to that place and do that practical all over again!!! When we had our break, we talked to several girls and lots were there taking that part of the test again.. they had failed the first time... The first test is paid for by her tuition.. the next one she will have to pay for AND rent that kit again.. The test will be $75 and the kit is $100 non refundable.. damit!!! And for me, it was so gruelling, just sitting there, soooo tired!!! I feel bad for her.. but she can't take me again unless her test is going to be about 2 months from the first one.. I honestly don't want to go through that again... If she had failed the written test, she could take it in Fresno.. but not this part, the practical has to be done in Fairfield or Glendale.. which some of the girls said don't take it there because they are mean... I don't want to do it... and I know Demaree doesn't either... she was upset, but didn't show it.. After picking her up, we went to get her something to eat, and started on our way home.. we left about 2:30 p.m. Got back home around 7 p.m. I think.. just about the same time we left, LOL So needless to say.. no license..

I was happy to be home and see the girls even though I did talk to them on my cell alot while we were going there and then coming back home.. they wanted to know exactly where we were because they were tracking us on Google earth, LOL I had the map in the back and told Nathan were to turn when we got to Lodi, etc... I was the navigator.. LOL The ride home was nice because we got to see the surroundings we didn't get to see on the way there.. nice area.. very hilly ride, LOL

Thanksgiving Break

2009-11-25T10:39:00.000-08:00

Yep.. the girls are off school and home for the next 5 days.. and they are ALREADY bored! GEEEZ Please pray for me, LOL

My Beautiful Grandchild

2009-11-15T16:26:00.000-08:00

What a beautiful baby Mackinzie is.. I just love to hold her and kiss her. Demaree is doing so good and is being a great mom.. she doesn't want to leave her anywhere... and that's good considering her age. She could be like most young moms and want to leave the baby and go do stuff, have fun, etc.. But wherever Nathan and Demaree go, Mackinzie goes. Nathan is a great dad too, he's very attentive with her, and does more than he probably should (midnight stuff) since he works and Demaree doesn't. They are both being such wonderful parents. I'm very proud of them both!

Here are some pictures of the little princess:

Mackinzie Mia

2009-10-18T13:51:00.000-07:00

Baby Mackinzie Mia arrived Thursday, October 15th at 8:08 p.m. via c-section after a long 27 hours of Demaree trying to dialate, she only got to 5 then because of all the pain meds, started to go backwards.. Never heard of that before, but that's what Nathan said. Instead of going forward, she went backwards and her doctor said that's it.. c-section.

Mackinzie weighed 6 pounds, 8 ounces, 18 inches long. Very tiny and oh so adorable! Tiny cute little features and she cried like a tiny mouse.. barely made any sound when she cried.

Demaree is now home and trying to get the hang of breast feeding, it's hard for her, Mackinzie was given the bottle because of one of the meds Demaree was on, she needed to get it out of her system before she could try.. and by that time, she had already gotten used to the bottle, instant satisfaction. So Demaree is pumping so that she can get more milk while she continues to try and bottle feed.. she is sad to hear her cry because she is so hungry.. I don't blame her. ( I did that with my last.. I only breastfed Allison for about 3 weeks.) And, OHH, does she get mad! LOL Now she is crying!! lol

I have lots of pictures that Nathan (daddy) is going to send me, as soon as I get them, I'll post them.. I can't wait to share, she's adorable.. (she looks like Demaree when she was a newborn).

Baby Shower

2009-10-12T13:51:00.000-07:00

Baby Shower: Check!

It's over and I immediately feel less stressed.. although the food didn't turn out like I had wanted and I spent way too much money, I'm glad it's over. Having 25+ people in my home at one time was hard on me, I really don't like being around alot of people, plus playing games and being in the center and talking, I shutter to think how I managed!

Demaree did get lots of great gifts for the baby. Needed to return just one item because she had already gotten it at the other baby shower. Only ONE "quiet" incident with ONE, or really TWO people who I thought would have behaved given them being in someone else's house, but of course, why should they... it's how they are.. but we got through it without it being noticed by anyone else but me and Demaree.. I think... no one has said anything about it since the shower. Next family event.. they are NOT invited! lol

Food Issues: The nachos, I bought the wrong brand and the cheese sauce looked like "crap" and really didn't taste much better.. very bad! I felt horrible because almost everyone was really looking forward to them. Good thing I made a 7-layer dip which was almost all gone by the end of the night! Chicken Salad Sammies: I guess not too many people like it... I think it was the red and green bell pepper.. I don't know, they didn't go quickly and I had lots left over... gave lots away and had to throw alot out too.. such a waste!

Next issue: Getting my checkbook back in order AND help get the babys nursery all fixed up and ready to go. The baby will be here in no time.

Baby Shower Update

2009-09-22T06:23:00.001-07:00

It's coming fast!!!

I'm afraid that I'm spending way too much money.. but I dont know what else to do? No one else can help me.. My mom bought a few of the prizes.. I bought the rest of them and all the decorations and supplies.. I made a list of the food to buy, omg... there goes our food for the week money.. Yikes, I'm in trouble! I haven't even thought about the cake.. I will need to do that at the end of next week..