These Are a Few of my Favorite Things

I thought since the title of my blog is all about my favorite things, I would share some of my favorites. This is by no means a complete list, and they are not in order of importance.

1. A summer rain--it's peaceful, and it smells so good-- then the air feels clean afterwards.
2. A child's laughter
3. Flowers--I love all flowers, but my favorites are Tulips, Lilies, and Roses
4. Sports Cars-- Mustang(I have one) and the new Camaro
5. Along with #4-- Driving fast!
6. Being pampered-- Massages, pedicures, manicures, facials
7. Travel
8. Country music--not all country, but a lot of it.
9. Facebook--especially when I get on and there are lots of messages there for me
10. Good Pictures-- I love to reminisce, and pictures speak a thousand words
11. The beach-- my favorite place!
12. The mountains-- yes I love the mountains, too! Just something about being surrounded by nature
13. A surprise phone call from a good friend
14. Good Surprises that make me feel all fuzzy inside


Like I said-- this is not a complete list-- but I hope to add to it over time :)
Hope all of you are having a wonderful Sunday!

Living in a Dream World

The last two months I have been living in a dream world. At least that's the way it feels. For my entire life, I have longed to find that person that would make me complete. Tonight, I believe I may have found him.

Many times I am very cautious about telling people that I'm dating, because truthfully, dating never goes that well for me. I'm a runner. I tend to run as soon as things start getting a little serious. I'm reminded of the Julia Roberts/Richard Gere movie, "Runaway Bride". Except I never get anywhere near a wedding. I thought this was strange, until tonight, when I was at a singles group with friends, and one of the women said that very same thing. That's she's that way. I told her about me, and she immediately wanted to know how I fixed it. Well, I haven't completely fixed it, but I do know I'm not running this time. My friend, Matt, put it the best way-- it's a fear of being vulnerable that causes some people to run, and thus seals their fate as a single person. Like I said, the running is finally over for me.


Allow me to introduce you to Jeff. Jeff and I were high school sweethearts. We broke up when I was like 20-- and totally lost contact with each other. But now he's back in my life, and I see a bright future...one that I never imagined could happen. I have been careful not to tell people about our relationship-- I was even scared to title it. But yesterday, I decided it would be okay to put a title on it. SO, yes, Jeff is my boyfriend, and he couldn't be happier. I couldn't be happier. And yes, that scares the living daylights out of me. But there comes a time where you have to stop being afraid and trust God that he's leading you in the right direction. I do trust God. I also trust Jeff. He knows me so well, and I really do believe that he's not going anywhere--that he cares for me in a way no one every has.

So, if I'm dreaming-- please let me sleep, because I don't want to wake up.

My Vacation

My cruise to Mexico was AMAZING!!! We cruised out of Mobile, Alabama, on a five day cruise to Cozumel and Calica. Calica is in the Mayan Riviera-- just south of Playa del Carmen. I loved both of these stops so much. And the cruise itself was so great! On the boat, Val and I met two wonderful ladies--We had lots of fun with Amber and Amy.



It was great because they were a lot like us, so Amber went dancing and to parties with me, while Amy hung out with Valerie-- since the two of them weren't into those types if things...That was great because there were several things I would have been doing alone had we not met them!



Cozumel was great-- We spent the morning shopping and the afternoon at the beach. I won a diamond and saffire necklace in a raffle at Cozumel-- it was set up by our cruise... and I still can't believe I won. When I tried to take my good luck to Bingo, it didn't follow. Oh well.



In Cozumel, we ate at a little place called Pancho's... I drank the best Margarita I've ever had there!






At the Calica port, we chose to visit the Mayan Ruins of Tulum-- or Ruines Mayas de Tulum. They were spectacular! And the water there was so blue--much different than the water in Cozumel. So we toured the ruins, then went swimming! And iguanas were everywhere-- just posing for people's cameras!






I truly love cruising and would love to continue this type of travel in the future. It offers so much fun at a very good price. I highly recommend it to anyone. I'm so glad for my cruising buddy, Valerie! Wonder where we'll go next?

Vacation is on the Horizon!

I'm dreaming of crystal blue waters, white sandy beaches, and a big boat sailing into the Caribbean. But I won't be dreaming much longer! Monday, I leave Mobile, Alabama's, port for Cozumel and Playa del Carmen. I'm so excited! I'll give you a full report once I get back, along with pictures. God gave me this cruise, I have no doubt! He saw how much I needed a vacation-- just to get away! I won't be using Internet or phone on my trip...it will be total relaxation. Hasta luego! Voy a la playa! Estoy tan emocionada!

A Defeated Spirit

From time to time, I realize that life sucks. I've shared this before...when I was a child, I would say to my mom when she made me do something I didn't want to do... "It's not fair." She would always reply, "Life's not fair." I never realized the truth in her statement, until the last few years. Life's not fair. You work hard, do everything you're supposed to do, and someone else will always be favored more than you. I've had a really hard day today, and I just want to scream, "But it's not fair!!!!!!!!!!" Then I hear my mother's words echoing in my ears...and thank her for telling me that early. People tell me all the time how strong I am. I'm not. I'm just a woman, who tries to be strong, since I'm living this life single. But fear is a real thing for me. It's something that I fight on a daily basis. Always have. Days like today don't help. I feel so defeated today. Maybe I'm taking everything that happened today way out of proportion, I don't know. I do know how angry I've been all day, upset, and heartbroken...two very different issues affecting me two very different ways. All I keep wishing is I wouldn't have had to come home to an empty house tonight. Oh the joys.

I need you, Lord. Very much tonight. You are my refuge, a shelter in whom I trust. Be my fortress. My comforter. My peace. My everything.

An "Extreme Makeover"

I haven't really kept up with my blog over the last week because I have been so busy, and because I haven't felt very good...the crud hit me hard! But I did want to show you a little something that happened here in Chattanooga that is beyond cool! The TV show, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, came to town! Okay, so technically they came to North Georgia (Catoosa County), but that's only about 15 minutes from Chattanooga. Because I am in the media, I spent several days out there, and got to meet several members of the crew! I can't wait to see the episode on Television! Here are a few pictures!


This is me with one of the designers from the show, Ed Sanders.


And this is me with another designer, Eduardo Xol, who announced this would be his last build with the show.


Reporter Antwan Harris, Photographer Tim McCurry, and me during a live broadcast.


Here's the bus and the cool boom camera on reveal day.


Ty Pennington shooting a scene on reveal day.


Fans welcome the Sharrock family home.


The Sharrock Family, with Ty Pennington, after seeing their house for the first time!

The 10 Pound Mark

Week 6 of my diet and exercise regime came and went on Thursday this week, and I got a wonderful surprise! I hit the 10 pound mark, which means I am a third of the way to my goal! Yay! It's amazing how when you really put your mind to something, things happen!

Go Away, Valentines Day!

Ugh! It's my least favorite day of the year. It's a day where (mostly) men spend ungodly amounts of money-- buying their special someone candy, flowers, carriage rides, you name it. Then they get in the car and head to an overly crowded restaurant, where they way for an hour or more to get a table--all in the name of love. Seriously people! Why do you do these things? First of all, Valentines Day is just a commercial holiday. It's made up! Why can't you, instead, go to Wal-mart, and buy those beautiful flowers (which I do love)for a fraction of the price than the florist... and put them in a vase yourself? Why can't you have a nice dinner at home and avoid the crowd? That to me says love a whole lot more!

Secondly, shame on anyone who uses Valentines Day as their only day to gift the person they love. This should be an every week occurance! Flowers should come several times a year, not just Valentines Day.

I am a strong believer that the only good Valentines Day does is brings attention to people who aren't part of a couple that they're single. And that tends to make people very sad, depressed even. I'm over that. It used to affect me that way, but not anymore. I just don't like Valentines Day...I learned this a few years ago, when I actually had a boyfriend. He did everything right for Valentines Day (in the eyes of everyone else). He ordered candy from my favorite store, he had flowers and a teddy bear sitting on my desk when I got to work, and he took me to a fabulous restaurant, where the food was amazing, but pricey. And the evening wrapped up with a carriage ride. Yes--perfect. But I can only imagine how much he spent on all of that--and I had nothing to show for it a week later.

So please...celebrate Valentines Day... but then celebrate "just-because" day in March... and "I love you day" in April. Get the picture?

"A Billion Reasons Why", by Kristin Billerbeck

Katie is a strong-willed, red head, who is determined to live a solid, happy life for God. She's "almost" engaged to a man that she sees as the perfect man for her. There are 'a billion reasons why" she should marry Dexter... mainly because he's safe. Just when she's getting comfortable with the life she's made for herself, a blast from the past comes back into her life. Luc broke her heart years ago, and she's been running from that heartache ever since. Luc, though, isn't going to let her run from her past anymore. Katie is now living in California-- a far cry from her New Orleans roots. Luc convinces Katie to go back to New Orleans for his brother's wedding. Confronting her past is hard. It means confronting her mom, who she hasn't seen in years, dealing with the death of her father, which she's ran from, and with Luc-- and everyone who knows what he did to her. This trip back home causes her to not only confront her past, but it helps her find her future.

Kristin Billerbeck is one of my favorite authors. I have read several of her books, and I love that she can make me laugh and cry all in the same book. It's like I'm watching a movie, as vivid as she makes the story. This book was no different. I found myself in Katie in several spots of this book, and it made me laugh with her and cry with her. It also spoke to me, as I related to Katie in so many ways. It takes a special book to get some of these reactions out of me.

There was something I really didn't like about this book as well. Billerbeck used a lot of pop culture items in this book. For example, she made reference to "The Bachelor" several times. Pop culture is good, but I don't think it belongs in a book. I love books, and what I really love is their ability to transcend time. If you include pop culture, then people reading these books in 20, 30 years may not understand the reference. So, you must be careful using pop culture when writing a book. I do, however recommend this book to the readers of today, because you will understand the references, and it's just a must-read for any lovers of chick-lits.

I was provided a free copy of this book by BookSneeze, for my honest review.

Week 5 Weigh-In

Another pound gone from my body! Thursday was weigh-in day, and I'm down 7 1/2 pounds now! Can't wait until I get to my goal of 33 pounds lost! I'm hoping to be down 5 more pounds before heading to Cozumel, so please pray that I can achieve that! That would make me a third of the way to my goal, and would make my trip a good reward.

The more I try to lose this weight, the more I hate myself for putting it on! I know my issues. I hate to cook. That's the bottom line. It's not that I eat all the wrong things, because I really haven't sacrificed what I like that much on this "diet". I just don't like to cook, so I eat out way too much. That piece of chicken you buy at a restaurant has a lot more fat and calories in it than the chicken you make at home. I still hate to cook, but I'm making myself do it nearly everyday. If I fail, that will be why. But I am working very hard. I haven't exercised in two days because of illness, but I plan to get back on the "horse" tomorrow.

Hope all of you are doing well this week.

God Cares About Me!

It just goes to show you that God cares about every little aspect of our lives.
I didn't get enough money on my taxes to go on a nice vacation, but my job did surprise me with a nice bonus! I praise God for that! It came at just the right time! So, can you guess where I'm going? I'm going on a cruise to the Western Caribbean! Cozumel and Calica, Mexico! I leave in four weeks, so my goal is to be at least five pounds lighter by that time, and in much better shape. That will help me as I "play" on this trip. I plan to make myself start every morning of that cruise in the gym--so I can eat all the wonderful food. The best thing about a cruise is the food and I'm gonna eat. My goal that week will be not to gain any--not to lose. So workouts will be part of it, but it will still be fun!!!

The Lord doesn't always give me all the desires of my heart, but sometimes, He surprises me. This is huge to me. Vacations are very important. I don't feel anyone can get totally refreshed, without leaving everything you know for a few days...including cell phones and computers. That's what I like about traveling out of the country. No one can contact me and I can't contact anyone else. It costs too much! I'd rather spend the money on the trip. So, tonight, I'm thanking God for thinking enough of me to give me this desire of my heart--to go on another cruise.

Well, it's weigh-in day, and I have to say I didn't do as well this week as I did last week. I haven't been working out with the intensity that I should be. I have, however, stuck to my calorie goals all week. So , it's gotta be the exercise. I've been at this for 4 weeks now, and today, for week 4, the scale said I lost 0.4 pounds. No, not even a pound. But at least I "lost" and didn't "gain"! So, I'm down nearly 6.5 pounds in the last 4 weeks. Just got to keep going! And because the Super Bowl party I was planning to attend got cancelled, I guess I don't have to worry about eating bad on Sunday! I was, however, looking forward to the time with friends. Oh well. Have a good Thursday, everyone!

Sadness

I'm dreaming of a warm beach... sand to sink my toes into...warm, salty, blue water....a week away from work...and time with a good friend. I was really hoping to take a cruise next month. It was all riding on my income tax return. It doesn't look like I'm going to have enough to go, and that's made me very sad. I'm really hoping to be able to scrape together the rest of the money, but it's not looking promising. I hate living paycheck to paycheck. Just enough for the necessities in life, and no extra for any fun. Sometimes I wish people would have explained this to me in high school-- I so would have picked a different career path.

Weigh in Day--Week 3

This week has been a little more difficult when it comes to my weight loss goals. I had cravings for the first time since starting the diet... and my body feels tired from all the exercise, so my daily exercise routing has been a bit more challenging. Because I had managed my calories so well, the days I had cravings, I just went ahead and got the food. And I was able to stay close to my calorie goals. Yes, I did go over those days, but I think deprivation is the worst, because if you don't feed your craving, you will totally splurge eventually and knock yourself way off your goals. I have exercised every day this week, but I think my body is telling me I need to rest. So today, I took a slow stroll with the dog to the front of my apartment complex and back. it took all of about 10-15 minutes, but I think that's all the exercise I will do today. Oh, and the good news is--I lost 2 1/2 more pounds! So that's a total of 6 in the last 3 weeks! Slow and steady wins the race! I have a very good friend who is a nutritionist, and she's helping me with my goals, so I thank her very much for that. She knows me, understands me, and is not going to make me eat anything I don't like! That's important! I'm hoping to keep up the momentum! If I keep it up, then in another 4 weeks, I will be halfway to my goal! Yay me!

I will all of you luck in your goals! If I can do it, anyone can!

Where in the World?

So, I got to thinking, and just wondering--where do the people who read my blog live? So, do me a favor. I just want to know you stopped by! Please reply to this post with where you live in this grand world. I just would like to know how far this blog reaches. I know that I've had readers from places like Argentina and Australia. So, please leave me a note! And thank you for stopping by my little corner! God Bless You!

New Facebook page

I started a facebook page to show off my photography... Check it out here: Serendipitous Moments Photography .
Eventually I will start a photography blog too!

Weigh In Day

Well, I only lost one pound this week. But, according to the scale, I lost 3 the first week...so that's 4 in two weeks. Not bad! I really hope I can keep at this momentum and not give up. I've got 29 more pounds to lose!

I'm tired of being overweight. I'm tired of not feeling good. I'm tired of being uncomfortable. I want to look in the mirror and feel "Hot"! I want someone to ask me on a date because he is attracted to the way I look, not my personality!! So, I will be working hard on this!

I haven't even wanted anything fattening! I think that's a good thing. No cravings...yet! But I'm sure they're coming. I do allow myself one "cheat" per week. Not cheat day, but cheat meal. And this week's will come on Saturday night. I am so looking forward to that pizza!

You'll notice I have a new header. Thanks to my friend, and fellow blogger, Natalie for the tutorial...Check out her blog here. Anyway, let me know what you think!

I don't really have much to say today...I'm on a hard quest to lose some weight and get healthy...I'm hoping the scale shows me great things this Thursday(week 2). I have been eating healthy, trying to hit 1500 calories or less a day. Haven't quite hit it everyday, but I've come very close, so that should be reflected. I am also trying to exercise everyday for 30 minutes. I bought the Dirty Dancing workout video. Dirty Dancing is my favorite movie, and I love to dance, so it seemed like a perfect fit. And it is! I have so much fun with it, but it does it's job...makes me sweat!

Anyway...
Please hold me accountable. I will try and remember to post my results each Thursday on my blog. I would appreciate any encouragement because it's not easy, and I really want to lose 30 pounds! I have been unsuccessful in the past, but I'm dedicated this time!

Thanks for stopping by my little corner on the Internet!

Amy Inspired, By Bethany Pierce

I seem to be sticking to a theme in my reading lately, and it's not intentional. The book I just finished is called "Amy Inspired". It's about a 30 year old woman, who's looking for inspiration for her writing as well as in her life. Amy is a writer, but to support her dream, she also teaches college classes. She doesn't think she's very good at her "day" job, but you learn, she really is a good teacher. You see this in the story in the way she interacts with her students. Amy is a single woman, who seems to always fall for the wrong guy...we meet her as she ends things with one of these men... and throughout the book, she wants to make sure she's turning the page on this, and headed down the right path. After all, she is 30 and still single. It seems when she finally just stops trying so hard, all her dreams begin to come true...

This was a good book... It took me a while to get into...the first few chapters were pretty slow. But I did enjoy it. I would recommend this book to any 20 or 30 something woman who's still single and trying to find your place in this life.

Bethany House provided me a free copy of Amy Inspired for my honest review.

Prayers Please

Right now, I'm going through something spiritually and emotionally...and I really don't know what's going on. I just feel disconnected from everyone...and I've cried a lot. I've got a lot going on in my head, and I've been praying that God will show me exactly what's going on. So, I'm asking you, my fellow bloggers from all over the world, to please say a prayer for me today. Pray that I will be able to make sense of all of this. Pray that whatever it is, I will become a stronger, better person on the other side. Pray for peace.