Under Construction

Well, I am one month away from being 2 years smoke-free.  It has been anything but a picnic.  Do I regret it?  Most certainly not! I have decided that this blog is seriously outdated.  I will be reconstructing it to fit my new needs.  The battle is no longer about fighting nicotine fits, it will be about eating clean, exercising, and of course family and spiritual outlooks.  I will be introducing you to my new online inspirations, some you may already know, they are still wonderful and uplifting writers that I thoroughly enjoy.  In the mean time I am going to be posting about daily goals, to get me on track.  I have already started "dipping my big toe in the water", by doing the Mayo Clinic Diet.  I have also been testing recipes from The Gracious Pantry, of which I have yet to find one I do not like!  :-)  I have continued my Kyuki-Do, and will be earning my blue belt on Aug. 30, 2012.  I must admit that it has taken me a lot longer to get to, than I had envisioned.  I believed that I would have a black belt in 2 to 3 years.  It has been almost 2 years since I started and am only getting to the 6th belt now.  Guess I needed more growing than previously thought! LOL.
My exercise guru will be Fit Mama, I have been checking this girl out for a few weeks, and I absolutely love her!  She is a motivator, up lifter, and a no B.S. girl.  I can totally respect that.
So this is the beginning of my plan to get back on track.  The fun-loving, no pity, no depression, happy me!  So this site is under construction to reflect new purpose and direction.

See you tomorrow!

Heading South

Life is full of ups and downs, lately I haven't blogged because, I felt that the drama was to much to share.  I have spoke of my depression, and that I'm trying to get a handle on things.  I recently had surgery to take care of my shoulder problem, and it seems to be helping.  I'm back in Martial Arts, and that too makes me happy.  I quit taking my pills for a bit and found myself sliding back into the abyss, it's not right to have to take pills so that you can enjoy your family.  Sad really. 
On a brighter note, my hubby and I decided to take our kids to Disney World for the first time.  The oldest are still young enough to enjoy it and youngest are old enough to remember it.  That seems like a good way to start out the year right?  Last weekend we took them to Monster Jam in the Metro dome in Minneapolis.  What a hoot!  We got to see Grave Digger the Monster Jam Icon, and I became a fan of El Toro Loco, who I might add has a woman for a driver!  How cool is that?!  Oh and did I mention that we will be driving to D.W.?  It is an estimated 24 to 26 hour drive straight through.  Crazy.... Maybe, but we will spend $500 in gas instead of $2000+ in air fare (and our kids wont be molested by TSA agents either).  So hopefully all goes well this upcoming week. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and trusting in the Lord for a safe drive to and from Florida!  How about you? Doing any fun family events this year? If so please comment and share!  Thank you and God Bless :-)
~Cindy

Miss Maddy

Always in the Tub!

I found my baby on Craigslist, she was going to be in town for the weekend,  then gone forever.   I had to jump and meet her.  I called the number and set up a meeting place.  God had answered my prayers.  He found us a great dog and got her a ride to us.... all the way from Texas!  A truck driver found her starving, dehydrated and full of fleas at a steel plant in Texas.  He felt bad for her, no one had any objections to him taking her, so he fed her, watered her, gave her 3 flea baths, and posted her to Craigslist where I found her.  He couldn't keep her, but he was certainly not going to leave her there!   When I called, I had a few tests to pass.  I had to have a house in the country, (check!)  I had to have kids, (check)  I had to promise to love and take care of her.  (Check and Check!)  When I brought the kids to meet her, it was love at first sight!  She loved them and they loved her.  We couldn't wait to take her home, I felt bad for her Hero truck driver,  having to lose his companion for the past 3 days.  He said he was okay, he knew she would be happy.  He was right, everyday she greats us all happily.  We look forward to her, she pounces like a cat!   She is also a very dirty dog, she loves to roll in things better left unmentioned,  needless to say she takes alot of baths!  We love her though, one little quirk for all the love and joy we get from her!!  She is a blessing, smart puppy, she learns very fast.  I also think she smiles when I scratch her behind the ears, she likes that best.  My favorite thing she does, is definitely when she gets low like a tiger on the plains of Africa,  stalks her prey (my kids), as they come across the lawn, she lays low, slowly moving in on them, as they come around the bend she pounces!  Back packs and lunch boxes go flying, screams can be heard for miles.  MADDY! NO!!!  I watch from the window, I laugh, tears coming from my eyes,  she strikes again!  That just never gets old.  They will never learn, she ALWAYS strikes in the valley.  It's the low point, they can't see her. :)

How about you, does your dog have quirks, do they antagonize your family, do you find the humor in it?