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  Merlot Mom 

I'm Back---Again!!

Hello friends!!!  Wow I've been gone awhile.  So much has happened since my last post, I just got very depressed and didn't feel like talking much.  But all is better now and I'm even thinking of starting a new blog.  One more geared toward change.  Since alot of that will be happening next year..  So, I'll be saying good bye to this one and hello to the new one pretty soon.  Just have to think of a new name..  Any suggestions???

Happy Monday!!

Why is it a Happy Monday for me---cause it's day two of my diet and I feel great!!  I love my Shakeology, I may never go without it again..  This mornings shake, oat meal cookie---soooo good...  I actually look forward to making them...  

Guess what else I made for the first time--kale..  I sautéed it last night with my dinner, reminds me of spinach, but a little better..  It was all so good..  I had no late night snacks or nothing, just went to bed and felt great..

Here is the Shakeology receipe  that I used from Pinterest and a picture of my awesome dinner...  Loving my 21 Day Fix!!

TGIF!! And so Much More!!

Are you as happy as I am that it's Friday??  Lawd---I thought today would never get here!!  Going to have dinner with my sweet girlfriends tonight...  My last for a while until I get my new diet plan going..  It was delivered today so I will be reading it this weekend..  My plan is to read it and understand it tonight and tomorrow, grocery shop and then food prep Sunday.  The key to this is diet is food prep..  From what I've watched on YouTube, most people do about 3-5 days out...  That's my plan...  I can do this..  I have to because I do not want to go on insulin and that is what the doctor is saying will happen if it doesn't get under control..  So I CAN DO THIS!!

I'm also proud of my new Budget Binder..  All aspects of my life need to come together and that includes my spending..  I've been working on this month, not bad so far and pretty easy!!

We'll have a great weekend friends!!  And ROLL TIDE!!

Website Wednesday!!

I can't wait until mine gets here!!  My coach is so nice...  This is perfect for me!!

Changes Coming!!

I'm so excited about this new diet that I'm going to start as soon as I get it in the mail..  It's called the 21 Day Fix.  I ran into a lady at Walgreens and we started chatting and she told me all about it.  She was doing great on it.  She really liked it because it helps you with portion control.   Fill the containers with the designated food for that color---and your done..   Simple as that..  Now as I said, I haven't received mine yet--so I can't tell you much more than that for now.   But I'm so excited for it to come..

Now another part of this diet is a product called Shakeology.   I'm REALLY excited about it as well.  I love protein shakes and protein bars so this will work well for me.  There are a lot of recipes on Pinterest for it as well.  I like "drinking" my breakfast, so this works out great for me..

The exercise program is 30 minutes a day.  I can carve out thirty minutes---I'm GOING to carve out thirty minutes a day is more like it.  I'm investing in this program and my health.   I've been way to lax this year and my health has paid the price.   I have type two diabetes and it's controlled by my weight.  And let just say, my numbers aren't that good right now.  So to get everything in check, it's time to lose the weight!!

Stay tuned for updates---I'm going to be accountable to my blog and Facebook!!!    

Sunday's Faith...

He's got this.....

ROLL TIDE!!!

It's game day friends!!

TGIF!!!

Is anybody else glad it's Friday??  I love my job----but I also love it when Friday comes around!!  Stop by and donate to Breast Cancer Awareness and see our Pink Friday!!!

Alfa Pelham office!!  Yep, the one by Pee Wees Pawn!!

Save the Girls!!!

It's all about the girls this month!!   October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and I'm very proud to work for a company that is participating in the fight for a cure to this awful disease.   Alfa offices are "pinking out" their office's and taking donations to fight this battle!  Stop by and see us anytime this month to make a donation and grab some Halloween candy...  On Friday's we are REALLY pinked out!!!

Website Wednesday!!

Hello friends..  So sorry for not being consistent here!!  But I've got some time so lets catch up...  Tops on my list is tonights dinner---Chicken and Rice from Home Plate Cooking..  OMG---so good and a nice "change up" to what we normally have.   (Picture provided from their site)
My friend Kim gets this for her family all the time and she swears by it, so I thought I would give it a try.  Soooo glad I did.  For one, the small is only $18 (feeds up to 4) and I PROMISE you I could not have gone into Publix and JUST spent only $18..  Plus, I have leftovers.

Now, I couldn't leave without getting some of the loaded Chicken Salad---also soooo good.  My mom makes the best chicken salad, but Mac refuses to share it--so I never get any of that.

If you're bored with what you've been fixing, stop by Kay's or visit her site at Home Plate Cooking to see her menu and daily specials for a change up.   When I was stressed to the max during the water damage, I tried one of her desserts---it was like a Reese Cup pudding---it should be illegal..  I'm proud to say as much as I wanted it tonight, I didn't get it...   My point is the desserts are the bomb too.

I hope everyone had a great day and your dinner was as good as mine!!!

My Babies..

Happy Monday!!!

Twitter Friends....

I hope ya'll are off to a great day!!  Just wanted to let you know that you can follow me on twitter @MerlotChic2.  I tend to post a little more "open" on there than I do on Facebook..  I think it's the freedom of not "knowing" most all of your followers..  

Enjoy the weekend!!!

Happy Friday!!!

Website Wednesday!!!

I think I'll let Wednesday's be all about cool website I or my friends find---and that I love!!  A friend of mine on Facebook turned me on to this one and when I get some extra cash, I've got to have one!!  The website is called Alex and Ani and they have the coolest bracelet's and other stuff.  I love love love the peace symbol and anything motivational, this site has alot of that.   My friend said you can also find them at Wrapsody at Patton Creek, for those friends in the Birmingham area.

So check them out online and see what they are all about.  Just click on the name and you are there!!

Need a Good Read??

One thing that I haven't been doing enough is reading.  Kind of got a way from it while I was studying for my licensing exam for my job.  But 'm back and reading some awesome books.  And they are actual books--lol!!   I've asked for the latest Kindle for my birthday (another hint)...
     The book I'm reading now is really good.  It's call the The First Family Detail by Ronald Kessler.  It's about the Secret Service that served with the President, their families and other members of the cabinet.  Not just current but past ones too.  It's really interesting.  Let's you know they are normal and crazy too!!  And a little freaky at times!
     The book has had mixed reviews, obviously.  From statements released saying it is complete nonsense, to doubting where the information came from.  I, however, have found it very interesting and am about half way through with it..

Click on the title above and check it out for yourself...

 

Motivational Monday!!

Day 1 of my exercise and weight loss journey.   I'm changing my thought process and all it contains is I CAN AND I WILL!!  I know so much of the way I have been thinking is the reason I have been failing.  I let one little set back or some emotional drama come between me and my goals.  But, motivation has returned and this is a woman on a mission!!
   

A Little Update on EVERYTHING!!

Happy Sunday friends!!  I have missed this.  Just let life and or laziness get a hold of me and I have neglected my awesome internet family.  So, I'm back---where to start..  Let's do health first..  Simply put, it's gone to pot.  And quick!!
     I'm currently sitting here typing this with ice on my knee because I have a torn meniscus in my right knee.  It has been hurting me for a while so I finally broke down and went to the orthopedist and found out what in the world was going on.  I'm glad to finally know, but to also know I pretty much brought this on myself---sucks.  And how did I do that---by gaining weight.   I haven't gained much, but this legs aren't getting any younger and just 10 pounds of weight is like 80 pounds on your knees.  So, I've got to get at least 25 pounds off to really make my knees happy..  I knew this and the doctor said so as well, but I had to pay a co-pay to here him say it..
     So, since walking is out now, my choices are a stationary bike or water aerobics.  Mac said he liked the bike so he is going to start going with me to the gym and ride.  I'm excited about that.  And we're starting tomorrow!  I've iced it and medicated it all weekend so now it's time to get moving and get the weight off.  Going to add in some time with the trainer we've been using as well for some other  work out ideas.
     I can do this, and really have no other choice.  My blood sugar also took a nose dive and is all out of whack---so no more excuses or laziness.  My health comes first from now on...   Keep me in your prayers and feel free to shoot me some motivation from time to time!!  And I promise not to stay away as long in the future.
Who know's maybe I will do a before and after picture!!


   

R.I.P. Robin Williams...

Awesome Sunday...

Just wanted to share a great quote I heard today from a guest pastor at our church...  God already has the solution before you even know it's a problem...  I love that.   Truly hit home with me..  If I can just learn to take care of myself and my family, God will handle the rest... 

Be blessed everyone... 

Changes....

Well I've been away for some time now... So sorry friends.  I've gotten so wrapped up in learning my new job that I have truly been neglecting myself.  And in many areas.   From how clean my house used to be, to the weight I've gained by using excuses.  So change is around the corner!!  I'm on my last training meeting out of town and I promised myself that change is coming when I get back home!!  Starting with clean eating and exercising.  Junk and pointless calories spent on wine, ritas and just crap, well they are going away for a while too..  It's time to get my groove back!!  Live as happy as I'm feeling!!..
Stay tuned in and enjoy the ride with me this summer!!!

In LOVE With My Job!!!

Just wanted to drop in and say how much I love my new job.  Lots to learn but I will get it!!!   Looking forward to some seriously  happy times this year!!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

I'm working my last two shifts today and tomorrow at the hospital!!  Then I'm done driving downtown!!  Whoop!!  Can't wait to start my new job and wear my new "oh so cute" clothes...  And SHOES!! 

Change is a good thing!!!

TGIF!!!

Bless the Heavens this is the last time I will work three twelve hour shifts EVER again!! 

I'm Back!!! Change is Coming!!

Over a month!!  I'm so sorry friends!!  I have been so busy the past three months that I did very little "computer fun" things at all.  I had to stay focused.  And it all paid off..  Starting March 24th, I will be working with Alfa Insurance in Pelham (not with my brother)....  I'm so excited and so ready for a change.  I have enjoyed working at UAB, but it's just time to move on. 

I also can't wait to get back into a workout routine.  I let all that go when I was studying for my state exam.  I felt guilty if I wasn't studying!!!  So my plan is to start back going to Gold's after I get off work at 5.  It's right down the street so NO EXCUSES!!  Then, when I get Mac up in the mornings, I plan to do Cardio Barre...  Can't wait to start that program.  Now that I have to wear real clothes---this body has got to change!!  Cause I want some cute clothes and shoes!!!
 

Short One...

I've got some things going on right now but I promise I will be back and with GREAT news!!!

Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year all my sweet friends!!  So sorry I haven't blogged in over a week.  So much was going on with the holiday's----I just never sat down long enough to do it!  Mac's dad came into town and stayed at the house.  I worked most of the time he was here so with him staying at the house, he got to spend more time with Mac. 
Also while he was here, we got another sweet baby to add to our family...  A Yorkshire Terrier named Oscar!  My heart screams love for him!!  Not to mention when him and Mya are laying together--I'm in Heaven!!  I promise pictures are coming!!  He is spending the day today with Aunt Marci and my nieces--I'm sure he will be pooped tonight!! 

Did you make New Year's Resolutions??  I'm going to try to stick to two this year..  One, continue to get healthy and workout the most I can.  Two, stick with the 52 Week Money Challenge.  If I can stick with this, I will have over $1378 at the end of this year!!  So what I think I'm going to do is make a money jar that once I drop the money in, I can't get into it unless I break the jar.  And I'm going to bling out that jar so I don't break it!  Anyone else doing it with me?  The computer I'm on won't copy a link--but just go to 52 Week Money Challenge and you will find tons of printable copies.  There is also a Facebook page!! 

I'll post some pictures of Oscar soon!!!