Reading Material

I usually have a pile of books to read during Spring Break. Simple, quick, easy reading chick lit. But this break I was totally unprepared with reading materials. Lucky for me two days before leaving for Indiana I received an advance copy of Delivering Happiness by Tony Hsieh. I don't know Tony but he makes me happy. Over the last year or so I've been fascinated with Tony, Zappos, and finding happiness at work.

I work for a great company, first and foremost. However, something is missing in my current role that I am looking to fill from the inside and I'll just leave it at that.

I loved this book. I am actually getting ready to re-read it. It makes me happy to know that my views and opinions on business, companies, recruiting, and pipeline are shared by others. Very validating. It's also really making me ask questions about my view on happiness. What does happiness mean to me?

If  you wonder the same thing, check out Delivering Happiness. If that's not your thing, you're already happy, or you don't want to get that deep do a little shoe shopping Zappos.com . New shoes make everyone happy.

Spring Break - Day 7

With the exception of the excessive amount of gospel/christian/country music options on the radio it was a relatively painless 10 hour drive back to Georgia.
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Spring Break - Day 6

More shopping...local wines and Polish sausage for Mister
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Spring Break - Day 5

Lolly turns 14...and shopping...
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Spring Break - Day 4

Briefly saw snow. Seriously.
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Spring Break - Day 3

Rainy Indiana day spent relaxing on the couch and dogsitting a very tiny long haired daschund
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Spring Break - Day 2

Spent ALL day at the zoo
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Happy Dyngus Day

After going to Easter Mass and spending the morning with Mister, Lolly and I got in the car and drove to Indiana for Spring Break. Who needs Florida and sunshine.

This will be the first time in many, many year that I am home to celebrate Dyngus Day. I plan to drink beer, eat polish sausage and take in a whole lot of polka music just like back in the day.


For your polka dancing pleasure


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Happy Easter

May you feel blessed every minute of this Easter Sunday.

Thank You

Thank you to anyone and everyone who stops here to read my blog. I truly appreciate that you would bother to read what I have to say, look at what I am up to, and spend your time leaving me a comment.

I just wanted to say thank you and let you know I appreciate each one of you!


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Dumbest Man Alive

Somebody please make it stop. Seriously do these  high profile men really think someone isn't going to rat them out.

This guy is going to be forever known as the tool that broke Sandra Bullock's heart. I hope she'll be open to giving her heart to someone else once she heals because she'll definitely come out ahead.

Girls, can we finally pull together and operate under hands off of someone else's man no matter what the situation.

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Just Rollin in the Rolla

and BAM! I tried as hard as I could to avoid the truck but no luck. Thank goodness nobody was hurt. Not the best way to spend the afternoon. A mess, inconvenience, and I feel like I've been hit by a truck but I believe it's going to be a much bigger deal for the young man that walked away with the ticket. 

Fingers crossed that the insurance dealings go without drama...

Laughter is the best medicine

In the light of the impending health care vote...

Basketball Jones

Have you filled out your brackets? Each year the 3 of us fill out our brackets, winner gets dinner of at the restaurant of their choice. Mister usually has an advantage but my tendency to pick Catholic schools and pull against schools that I associate with people I don't like can sometimes put me in the running.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Where Has The Time Gone

This arrived recently in the mail as a reminder that I have hit middle age and that I should get serious about dropping a few pounds.

Busy with a Capital B

Things have been crazy at home and at work this week. This use to be my speciality. The busier the better. It's been slow for so long. I think I lost my mojo. I am hosting pokeno tonight and I am not even ready.
Just a few more hours of craziness and then I can wake up Saturday morning get a cup of coffee and catch up on everyone's blog! I can't wait.

Shred Review

"Lose Up to 20lbs in 30 Days". That's what the box says. I didn't even come close. Maybe 1lb depending on the mood of the scale. 1 spent 10 days at Level 1, 10 days at Level 2, and 3 days at Level 3.

Each workout consists of 3 intervals containing 3 minutes of strength training, 2 minutes of cardio, and 1 minute of abs.

I had heard terrible stories of the pain Jillian inflects through the Shred. I expected it to be a little tough since I hadn't worked out since I became an injured runner in October but I am tough.  I've trained with tough trainers before. All I can say is I didn't know 3 minutes could last so long. Pain. 3 minutes of pain. Seriously an hour after the first workout sI till thought I was going to throw up.

I really felt like I should have seen more progress because I worked out hard for 30 days. I did see a little improvement in my biceps. My eating wasn't great but it wasn't bad. I am working on cleaning out what little processed food is left in my diet, kicking the diet pop again, and cutting back/out caffeine, and eliminating sugar. Maybe the next 30 day rotation will see better results. Call me crazy but I think I am going to do another 30 days.

Completed

I am not even in the neighborhood of being shredded nor am I really any lighter but I made it through the complete 30 days, straight.

Lack of Sugar and Pop

has kicked my cynicism into over drive today.

Let Lent Begin

I always know when I have a great Mardi Gras because I feel like garbage the next day. As with any year, there’s been a lot of talk around the House of Fowler about what each one of us is giving up. For many outside and few within Catholicism, Lent is just known as a time when people give up pop, candy, fried food etc. The focus becomes about the “stuff” and not what Lent is really about at all.

Lent is a time of prayer, fasting, and alms giving all designed to bring you closer to God. Mister hates to hear when I am going to give up sugar and/or diet pop because he knows he may have to weather some cranky times. These things are hard for me because they have a hold on me. I crave them daily, numerous times throughout the day. When these cravings take over I use the opportunity to remind me to turn to God, say a pray, ask for help, or just give thanks for something, then in turn increasing my prayer life. Much needed.

For 40 days I will be fasting from pop, sugar, and complaining about work, as well as practicing general periods of fasting. And because I really want this to be a period of growth for me I am plan to fast from unnecessary spending and stuff. As luck would have it I ran across this idea, 40 Bags in 40 days yesterday on  Faith and Family Live. Fits perfect with my decluttering resolution. I plan to use bags of various sizes depending on the day and time available to dedicate to the task.

Anybody else giving up anything or have any special ways you spend Lent?

Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler

Happy Mardi Gras! Indulge!

Valentine Updates

Here are the pictures of Lolly's room. Ignore the mess, if you can. She was impressed with the homemade felt garland. The  floor is covered in balloons (and mess)

We had a really nice weekend. Lolly and I spent Valentines Day shopping, lunching, and then went to Sips n Strokes. I still have a ways to go with relaxing and not stressing about the end result. But I think I am making progress with my pictures. As you can see my tree trunk is way too wide. Tree trunk is harder than it sounds. Here's the inspiration

Here's how mine turned out...

Happy Valentines Day

From

Strange Coincidence

Lately, I’ve been od’ing on craft blogs. Tons of great craft blogs. While scrolling through them I’ve found a common thread on many of them…The Book of Mormon. Don’t laugh, seriously. I mean this in all sincerity what is the connection to being Mormon and a killer crafter?

If I have time I’ll have to come back and link to the many, many, many blogs I’ve viewed over the last few weeks.

Torn Between To Loves

It's a tough one. My favorite place, the place where I feel the most relaxed and at ease is here.

How could it not be fun to pull for the Saints.
However, home is forever Indiana so I'll have to pull for my home State team.

3rd Times a Charm or 3 Strikes You're Out

I reserved spots for Lolly and I to paint this on Valentine's Day. The Funky Love Tree.

This will be my 4th time sippin and strokin, my 3rd time trying a "funky" painting. I promised myself after my last attempt at a Funky Tree, which strangely ended up resembling an octopuss, I'd give myself a break on the "Funky" but I was takin in by those dang little hearts.Those free form branches not as easy as they look or it could be I am just not funky enough. I hope I don't come home with a painting that looks like should be titled Uptight Love Tree to add to my collection becaue I already have Uptight Funky Tree and Uptight Funky Vase.