Zumba!!

Bootsie is trying something new...ZUMBA!!  Starting tonight I'll be doing Zumba three nights a week!!  After several weeks of research I found a small gym that offters Zumba classes for only $15.00 a month, plus you have full access to the gym and equipment Monday - Friday.

Doctor says movement, get moving...so here I go!!

Life is good, keep it real!

New Year, New Beginnings?

As we say "goodbye" to 2011 and say "hello" to 2012 Bootsie wonders what the new year will bring...

Here's a few changes/improvements that are in Bootsie's future:

1.  More prayer thanking the Lord for all blessings
2.  Healthier eating habits (no (or at least limit) fast food, imitation foods or processed foods)
3.  Increase exercise (walk at lest 30 minutes a day, consider joining a running club)
4.  Go Green as much as possible (replace household products with natural products)
5.  Better skin care (found natural products at Sprouts that are amazing)
6.  Spend more time with family (especially granddaughter and elderly family memebers)
7.  Handle household paper work daily (no more piles of mail to file)
8.  Volunteer/donate (women's shelter)
9.  Procrastinate less (clean out garage, closets, desk)
10.  Plan a vegetable garden (this will help with #2)

This list is where I can see and read it everyday!!  Have already made several changes and it's only day five of the new year!!  Whoo hoo!!  Bootsie's on a roll!!

Life is good, keep it real!!

Hussle and Bussle of the Holidays!!

This is not Bootsie's favorite time of year...don't get me wrong I love Christmas, it's the cold winter weather that I don't like!!  And of course, the busy season can be a little stressful, between parties, gift buying, baking, decorating etc...the list goes on and on!!

However, things have gotten easier over the years.  Now that the kids are grown and appreciate all the work that goes into the holiday I can relax and enjoy the holidays more!!  A couple of years ago we decided to draw names, so that's made it a lot easier, not only stress wise but also financially!  It was so hard not to buy a gift for all my kids...so I improvised and fill up their stockings!!  So I still get to buy for each kid and its all fun stuff...you'd be surprised what you can get into a stocking!!

I love all the parties and I do have a few, Bonco Bitches, Keno Ladies, friend's Christmas parties etc...they're all good parties and do my best to make them all!!  Yes, I do love a good party and any excuse to drink wine and eat good food...hmmmm, what could be better?

Looking forward to Christmas Eve at my brother's house, we're doing Mexican food!!  Yummmm!!!

Cat named Dog goes to heaven

Very sad day for Daughter #1, her 21 year old cat she named Dog, went to heaven last night.

Daughter #1 got a kitten when she was 14 years old, she named her Dog.  She was a little thing, a mixed bread of calico and who knows what else.  Cute little thing and lo and behold a couple years later Dog had kittens on the 4th of July.  Of course, Daughter #1 decided her daddy and two younger sisters needed a new kitten so she called us and describes all the kittens to us, we chose one sight unseen!!  We named her Savannah, she was white with black feet, ears and tail and the most beautiful blue eyes you ever saw!!  Somewhere in the mix there was a Siamese in the blood line, because Savannah was Siamese. 

Little did we know at the time these cats would have such long live spans.  Savannah lived for 18 years, she went to kitty heaven in 2010 just before Thanksgiving.  Now her mama, Dog has gone to heaven she was 21 years old.

Both went to heaven by way of the vet's hand.  Our vet told us the only way a cat can live that long is with lots of love and good care.  We were all gathered around Savannah when she passed, it was peaceful and I truly think she was ready, she was tired. :-(

DIY Project - Island table

This is how it started...plain unfinished cabinet!!

Stained cabinet...a working progress!!

The finished project...beautiful!!

It all started when Daughter #3 moved out and we gave her the table and chairs in our breakfast area.  Mr. Husband and I decided instead of buying another table and set of chairs we'd build one.  I wanted more storage and he liked the island/table idea, we had seen one at a friend's house...the seed was planted and it grew from there!! 

After three trips to three different home improvement stores a cabinet was finally chosen!!  The process went something like this:

Monday night:  bought and stained the cabinet
Tuesday and Tuesday night: table top was built and tile bought and place on table top
Wednesday night: grout was done
Thursday night: grout drying
Friday: sealer was applied and there you have it a finished island tile top table.

Mr. Husband and I really had fun doing this DIY project together...he did most of the work (he-he)!  That's what happens when his work is slow and he has time on his hands!!  Now he's decided the kitchen counters and back splash would look good tiled...you go big boy!!  I'm all about it!!  Could be a very productive winter if work continues to be slow!!  :o)

Bootsie is a very happy girl...now we have the task of finding the perfect bar stools to go with our beautiful new table!!  Have been to five different places and haven't found the perfect stools yet!!  UGH!!

Girl's Night Out - YES!!!

GNO – Yes!!

Had a great and well deserved Girl’s Night Out last night with a couple of co-workers. It’s really nice to be able to get away from the office with a couple of people you trust and talk/bitch/gripe about anything, everything or anyone!! LOL!! And KNOW what “happens at the table, stays at the table!!”

It wasn’t all bitching, griping and complaining we did have positive things to say too!! And we did manage a laugh or two!! Ha-ha!!

Laugher is good for the soul!!

Blueberry Smoothie!!

Breakfast…
Good morning to everyone and it is a good morning!! Started out a little rough, had a flat tire, then left my badge to get into the office in the truck with the flat, but it’s all going to be okay. Know why? Well, I’ll tell you why; Blueberry Smoothie, it’s what’s for breakfast!!

1 cup frozen or fresh blueberries
½ cup fat free vanilla yogurt
¾ cup 1% milk
2 packages of splenda (or any low cal sweetener)

Blend in a blender

Very filling and very yummy!! You simply must try it…of course, you can use a fruit of your choice!!!
If you like smoothies, you can Google it and there are tons of recipes for all kinds of smoothies…even some with cayenne pepper, think I might have to try that one…just for !!!

Have a great day Living Lighter!!