Kelly's Korner - Show us your Life!

I'm sure weight loss was on many people's New Year's Resolution list. It certainly should have been on mine but I am not really good at sticking with a routine so spared myself having to post in my update that I failed.

Keep in mind that I don't drink soda or sweet tea. The drinks that make up my day are typically water and unsweetened tea. With that in mind, there's not a lot I can cut out from that perspective. I also already eat either eat yogurt or oatmeal for breakfast so not much there either :) So what does that leave? Well, to start off, cutting out those yummy cheese steak sandwiches I love so much and pizza from Brown's! We eat dinner late which we all know isn't good when it comes to eating then going to bed...those pounds seem to increase overnight.

But, here are a couple of things that I actually like to do and have proven effective for me.

Wii Fit - it is fun and with the many activities it stays interesting. I love getting to the 30 minute mark and having my trainer/coach get excited and cheer! Look, Kayden even enjoys working out!

Our treadmill - I enjoy that 1/2 hour as well because I walk slow enough (lol) that I can read and then when I speed up I can either watch TV or listen to my docked iPod.

This last one I haven't actually tried but when I saw the results of Amanda's program, I was definitely motivated and wanted to shed a few pounds and firm up what I have...she has so many ideas on her blog - check it out!

With the recent rearrangement of rooms in our house, we freed up a bedroom and are turning that into our workout room. It's not completely finished yet but we have the tradmill, ab lounger and Wii in there. Now it's just a matter of motivating myself to get with it.

Now it's time for a confession.... One of my employees gave me a huge variety pack of this for Christmas. I love chocolate. Any kind of Chocolate. I can (and do) eat chocolate any time of the day. Pretty sad but....this certainly didn't help my addiction. Just last night while in CVS I was so excited because these packs were actually on sale - 2 for $6. Not gonna share how many I bought but what a deal, ha! I'm sure you agree that with habit like this I really must find a way to maintain my weight and stay fit!!

Feel free to share your ideas and program - click on the picture at the top of this post and add your link. It's always fun to see everyone's ideas.

Kelly's Korner - Cookies for Santa?!

It's all about the cookies this week! I don't like to bake until about two weeks before Christmas so this is really cutting it close, ha! But, here are some of the 'traditional' cookies that are made around here.

Sugar Cookies - right out of the Paula Deen Christmas magazine! This recipe makes a lot of cookies.

These are just like Reese cups - again, stole from Paula Deen!
The famous Pampered Chef Oreo Truffles -

one pkg oreo cookies (chopped up)

8 oz soften cream cheese

Stir together then scoop small balls onto sheet

refrigerate for an hour

dip in melted chocolate

place on wax paper until set

DELICIOUS!


And everyone knows what these are, right?




We tend to get little plates like the Snowmen from The Pampered Chef or Longaberger and wrap up some cookies for the Sunday School teachers and other people who enjoy fresh baked cookies. You can never go wrong with cookies, right?

I enjoyed spending 'quality' time with the kids baking cookies - just think next year we'll have another little helper :)

I do have one batch I haven't made yet, they're still in the refrigerator but shew....we have baked a lot of cookies so far! Every so often I'll try something new but it does get pretty hectic so for the most part, this family is happy with whatever gets baked.

Witches and Goblins and Spongebob, Oh My!

Halloween has never been one of my favorite holidays however when you have children, there are certain things you just 'have to do'. So year after year about a week before October 31st (or whenever Trick or Treat is being celebrated), we need to figure out what each child's costume is going to be. Sometimes they even want to go to parties that actually judge the costumes. Shew....competition?!

A few years ago I did come up with the perfect costume which was actually really popular at the time.

It's all about those Fall decorations!

Just once a year but, oh I love them so. This week Kelly is featuring our Fall decorations.

Some of the greatest are not those that you can purchase or even those that you can decide when you put them out and when you pack them away......


however there are those that tend to come out year after year and make our homes warm and welcoming....Last Fall at our church's 2nd Sunday Supper our craft/activity was to make a cross out of these colorful leaves with a bible versus in the middle. This hangs on our refrigerator!
This is one of my first cross stitch projects from soooo many years ago. While it's not something I would make now, it still holds a special place in my heart :)

Love this! I am even thinking this could sit on the ledge between our breakfast nook and family room all year.
I love sunflowers so fell in love with this wreath a few years ago!

Fall is the most colorful season and one that is loved by our family. It's a time when life seems to slow down a little (just before the holiday season) and because it gets dark sooner, we find ourselves indoors, doing things together. It's also the season where the weather is typically warm enough yet comfortable to enjoy the outdoors on weekends and there's nothing better than RV'ing in the Fall. I love getting home from work and lighting the candles, watching the news and getting dinner started. The night usually winds down by watching a little tv, reading or catching up on e:mails and of course there's blogging :)

Just one favorite?! Not me!

No fame, no glory, not even on TV but lots of fun, memories and friendships have been made over the past 20 years! My favorite teams are very personal and include Soccer, Baseball, Track, Football, Cheer and Dance. Wow, now that I think about it, I have always had a child in some sport all these years!!

So this week Kelly is hosting "Show Us Your Favorite Team". I have never really had a favorite team to the point that I was decked out in their attire or had flags flying from my car but have certainly been to my share of professional baseball games and many Nascar races which are organized by 'team'. The teams that have meant the most to me throughout the years are those that my children have participated on.

Our tailgating wasn't nearly as fun as those you may experience. Our drinks included water, gatorade and juice boxes. Our food included sandwiches, chips, fruit snacks, pudding and anything that wouldn't upset their stomachs during games. I wouldn't trade all the hours spent every week at practices and games for anything in the world!

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