Double Portion Inspiration

I've recently been spending time in airports traveling.  It can be one of the most stressful experiences, especially if your luggage doesn't fit.  Those overhead bins can become very tiny once all the bags start piling into them.  I just sit and wonder, what do they have in all those bags?  Backpacks, shoppers, totes, briefcases, laptop cases and handbags - we as travelers, are carrying around a ton of "stuff". I can't exclude myself from the equation because my handbag is heavy.  Anyone who picks it up says, "What is in here?"  I get so embarrassed because I literally have everything but the kitchen sink in my handbag. Two wallets, two cellphones, checkbook, coupons, mascara, mirror, makeup, lotion, hand sanitzer, pain medicines, tissue, comb, mints, gum, business cards, sunglasses and over 20 different lipstick/glosses - YIKES!!!  All the years that women carry around that stuff and we wonder why we suffer with low back pain and shoulder ...

BLACK FRIDAY - NOVEMBER 29TH We are a week away from Black Friday.  This is the biggest shopping day of the season.  Many Thanksgiving holidays are remembered for delicious food and gathering of family.  But for many of us, we see the Thanksgiving holiday as a time to SHOP . Over the past two years I've written great tips on  How To Survive Black Friday.   One tip is to stick to your budget and come prepared with your list.  Many retailers are opening on Thanksgiving (Ex. Macy's opens at 8pm on Thanksgiving Day) to give shoppers every opportunity to spend money and cash in on special priced doorbusters. What is an item you plan to buy on Black Friday?  Flat screen tv, new laptop or maybe an $8.00 toaster.  Whatever it is, start planning now.  Have a ton of patience, it's a jungle out there. (Posted by Roslyn) Happy Shopping!

For the first time in my life, I'm the mother of a middle schooler.  For the parents that have walked this road, I'm sure you understand how challenging this time in a child's life can be.  Although I've taken several parenting classes and even  blogged about the parenting book that changed my entire thought process toward parenting, I failed as a parent this week.  Let me be clear, I'm not a bad mom, but if I were given a grade for my actions during a heated moment with my daughter, it would would've been an "F". I have an amazing daughter who's in the "tween" age range.  Anyone who meets her will immediately picks up on her nurturing spirit.  I'm trying to adjust to the fact that in one moment she can be sweet as pie and the next she's, let's just say, different.  She can be reserved then quick and sarcastic with her mouth.  She wants to hold your hand and give you kisses one minute then race up the stairs to get away ...

It's that time again...Monday!  There isn't much to really enjoy about Monday.  For example, my wedding anniversary was last Monday but we chose to celebrate on Friday simply because Monday isn't known for happiness like Friday.  Monday is the most unromantic, unfun day of the week.  Even Wednesday has become famous by a Geico camel commercial shouting, " HUMP DAY "!  Most dread heading back to work on Monday after a relaxing weekend.  Everything about Monday is MUNDANE . Same traffic, same lunch, same tasks repeated every single Monday - do you catch my drift? Sometimes even the MUNDANE  can have meaning.  Many people will spend more time at work this week than they will at home.  The work days are becoming longer as more companies have eliminated positions and straddled the extra work on a few remaining employees.  Coworkers have their "own drama" and you might not always be in the mood to hear the latest "disaster" in their life - ...

A recent trip to Kentucky inspired me to embrace the new season of Fall.  The weather was crisp - a chilly 46 degrees.  The array of colors sprawled throughout the city, with the changing leaves was breathtaking.  It appeared as if someone took a paint brush and delicately painted a canvas for all to enjoy.  During my morning run, I saw many commuters driving into work.  They jumped out of their car not stopping for a moment to enjoy the view I found mesmerizing . Florida stays green all year, so I enjoyed being nestled into true Fall weather.  The crunch of the leaves while running made me giddy inside - how about you?  What do you enjoy about Fall weather?  What Fall fashion piece is a "magical must have" for you?  For me, it is a pair of leather riding boots. Enjoy a few photos from Louisville, Kentucky! (Posted by Roslyn)  

Yummy goodness! I love sharing recipes and when I found a recipe that combined potatoes, eggs, and bacon, how could I resist sharing it.  Over the years we've shared everything from Buffalo Chicken Dip to Strawberry Monkey Bread.   Well this weekend I was inspired to try a new recipe out of the July/August issue of   Food Network Magazine.    Ingredients  Ingredients 2 pounds small red-skinned potatoes, quartered 1 pound bacon, chopped 2 large eggs 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 3/4 cup mayonnaise 3 tablespoons whole-grain mustard 6 scallions, finely chopped 1 medium red onion, diced 1 tablespoon sugar Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper   Put the potatoes in a medium saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium and cook until fork-tender, about 15 minutes.     Hint for success:  Use thick cut bacon for maximum flavor     Meanwhile, sau...

The smile you see is not always the "happy" I feel inside. Can you feel this pain?   My outburst or erratic behavior scream to show you the hurt I'm enduring. How can I make you understand? Am I in this alone? I'm sinking into a dark abyss of depression.  Exhaustion & nausea after surgery If you've ever experienced pain, one of the above statements might have applied to you.  You endure hurt with many questions, that oftentimes never get answered.  The pain could be financial, physical or mental - in some cases, it is all three.  Loneliness, confusion, sadness and anger are some of the emotions felt during times of pain. I catch myself smiling deep within my soul because, through God's grace, I discovered the other side of pain- healing .  When you linger with pain for a certain length of time you start to adapt it as your normal state of being.  This is the danger zone , because healing will eventually come. Don...