T.G.I.F!!!!

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!!!

What I'm Reading This Week....

So I finished Bethenny Frankel's book Skinnydipping---it was a very fun read.  I loved the main character, Faith Brightstone.  The book also had a great flow and kept me totally interested all the way through.  If you want a "light" read, check it out...

If you followed most of the nation and read Fifty Shades of Gray trilogy, well then you might like my latest read.  It's called Bared to You:  A Crossfire Novel by Sylvia Day.  A friend of mine at work told me about and said it was very good.  And very similar To Fifty Shades.  So I figured I would give it a try.  I'll let you know if its worth the download after a few chapters...

To view either of the books at Amazon, just click on the links....

What I'm Reading Now.....

Most all of my friends know that my reading taste is all over the place.  I can be reading about the Amish one minute, then flip over to Erotica the next.  Or some gripping true story or page turning murder mystery.  I will read just about anything.  I normally find my books either from "word of mouth" or just going to Amazon and looking at the latest books they recommend I read.  If I had to pick one author that stays with me and I can bank on her books being good---it would be Diane Chamberlain.  You just can't go wrong with her books.

The book I'm currently reading, however, has really proven to be very good and quite funny.  But I kind of expected that just from seeing her on her TV show.  It's Bethenny Frankel and she is FUNNY..  The book is called Skinnydipping.  It follows Faith Brightstone after she graduates from college and enters the "adult" working world.  In Los Angles.  Bethenny really makes the character very witty and funny, with a tang of smart ass tied in.  I love her...  There has not been a dull moment with this book.  If you liked her on Bravo, check out the book....

Click here to visit Amazon and read more about it...

New Blog Alert....

I found this through one of the books I'm reading, and loved it.  So much so I now follow her on Facebook and Twitter!!  I have added a link to it on my right sidebar.   The blog is called The Single Woman.....

The book I was talking about is called The Single Woman's Sassy Survival Guide by Mandy Hale.
Very good read..  Single ladies everywhere should read it!!!

Motivational Monday....

Sunday's Faith...

Hope everyone has a great day...

Iron Bowl Baby!!!!

I'm finally off work for an Alabama versus Auburn football game!!  Better know as the Iron Bowl...
We all know who I want to win...  So ROLL TIDE!!!

But remember it's still just a game....  We all have to get up the next morning and go about our NORMAL lives...   I just want a good game and no injuries!!!

Black Friday!!!

I purposely make sure I work this day just about every year!  Saves me a fortune and my sanity from all the craziness...  I remember driving by Best Buy last year when I got off and their were people sleeping in tents to get certain items.  And the crazy thing is these stores are only given like 5 of the item!  Craziness!!!
Well if you are venturing out today---have fun and mind your southern manners!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving.  I'm so blessed to have such a wonderful family and friends that I'm so thankful for..  I will be spending the day with my work family---but they are loved just as much too!!

Internet and Dating???

Did I ever think I would be saying those words as they pertained to ME??  Well, not at all.  However, I'm saying them now as I re-enter the dating world at 44.  Crazy Scary!  The dating world has changed so much since I left it over 18 years ago.  We met dates back then through work or a friend.  And or the occasional date we met in the bars.  So at least you had an actual "visual" of what you were attempting to date.

Today, it all revolves around a cell phone or the internet.  Period.  Most all of your friends are married and have been for a long time.  So their "single friend" quota is pretty low for you to meet someone through them.  Now you can look into church groups as an option, and I haven't ruled that out.  I just like to work extra on the weekends if I do----which leaves me watching my DVR of Joel Osteen...  And single men in my area don't flash on the bottom screen advertising they are ready to date...  So, it turns you to the internet.  And there lies a HUGE adventure.

Well, you can make it an adventure or you can do what I should have done the day I created that user name.  GET INFORMED!!  Trying to meet someone online takes research.  Yes, they may have a cute picture and their profile may describe the "fairy tale" you have been looking for your whole life.  But stop your self right then and there---and read this book.  The Rules for Online Dating:  Capturing the Heart of Mr. Right in Cyberspace by Ellen Fein and Sherrie Schneider.  This book really clarified just how do get started and what to do when you get that first response back from your "ad" as the book calls it.  After reading this, I guess you can say my expectations are higher for the men that I do talk to.  It has also made me much more aware of things that I need to change.  It's not going to be easy starting over at 44, but that doesn't mean I have to settle or lose "myself" in a man. Patience is key in this playing field I have learned.  So, while you are waiting for the infamous "You've Got Mail" notification---think about your standards and what you want out of a man.  You may want to give him that "date zero," but you will know from our "intuition" we have if he gets to go on Date One and so on.

Another great book out there which has also been made into a movie is by Steve Harvey called Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man.   I read the book and bought the movie.  Loved them both.  And he is spot on with everything he says. This book also reminds you of how a man is supposed to treat a lady.  Kinda "old fashioned, old school" you will see when you start reading it.  I  also recommend doing the exercises that both books talk about.  This way you have an idea of what you are looking for and those little "flags" can go off when you don't get it.  Then be polite, but move on.  Like I keep saying, I'm 44 years old---I don't have to do something I don't want to do, and why waste your time or his.  I'm not looking to remarry, just someone who makes me laugh and enjoys a nice dinner or night out.  So, look at what you want and aspire to get that.

But read these books!!!

Favorite Things #2

I love Christmas time... And I absolutely love Yankee Candle's Sparkling Snow candle....

Right now they are running a special buy one, get the other one half off... 

Motivational Monday....

Sunday's Faith...

ROLL TIDE!!!

TGIF!!!!

Cool Idea

I just found this on Pinterest---a favorite place of mine...  I have got to find one of these for Mac's room.  Such a good idea!!!

Its a toothpick holder but used for Q Tips!!!

Awesome!!!

Fingers Crossed....

I'm so excited!!!  I may get to take a "mommy weekend" in December..  The ex may come back for a visit with Mac!!  If he does, I think I just might head to the mountains for the weekend.  Merry Christmas to myself!!  It will only be two days, but it's better than nothing...  Fingers crossed...

Christmas Favorite Thing #1...

Can you believe it is almost Christmas?!?!?!?  Where has this year gone?  Mac and my family are always asking me what they can get me for Christmas around this time of the year.   I've decided to just list a few of my "Favorite Things" so they will have some ideas.  Now Oprah's list also helps me out!  She finds the coolest things!!

Here is my first one..  Mac and I both can use it---Multi---Functional!!!  It is a Jawbone Jambox Wireless Bluetooth Speaker.  I love this!!!  Just sync it with your Iphone music and listen anywhere...
Love it!!

Motivational Monday...

Sunday's Faith....

TIDE TIME!!!!

ROLL TIDE!!!!

TGIF!!!!

Are you ready for the weekend?!?!?!?!

Have a great one friends!!!

This Months Books.....

I'm a huge fan of Joel Osteen.  I believe he is a wonderful speaker and motivator.  When I have days that I feel like "Debbie Downer"---I turn to one of his Sunday sermon's and am guaranteed to feel better by the end of it.  His web site provides a lot of testimonials on what this fabulous book, I Declare,  has done for other people in their lives.  I have started reading it as the last thing I do before I close my eyes in bed.  Last night I even went to bed before my ambian kicked in so I would "remember" what I was reading!!!
I actually bought the book on this one, but if you want it via Amazon---just click here for the link.

Ok, Joel is my bedside book---my daytime new read is another book by Steve Harvey called Straight Talk, No Chaser.  His first book Act Like a Lady Think Like a Man (the movie was great by the way) had me rolling on the floor but also thinking how correct HE was!!  Not many, if any of my friends are re-entering the dating world so I'm on my own on this new venture.  Plus things have drastically changed since I was single---so I need all the help and advice I can get!!  And if it makes me laugh along the way---even better!!!

Now I know these books are two TOTALLY different extremes...  But I think they balance each other out...

Let me know what you are reading.....

Game Time Snack Food.....

Getting closer and closer to the Alabama/Auburn game.  And this year I'm finally off and can enjoy the game with my friends.  So I've been looking for "football food" and came across this recipe on food.com.  I love love love Pretzels so I will for sure be trying this one...

1/4 lb small pretzels---some used the 1lb bag and it was fine.
1/4 cup crisco begetable oil
1 package Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix
1 tsp garlic salt
t tsp cayenne pepper---I will use more here as I like it spicy!!!

Put pretzels in a roaster pan (cookie sheet for me)
Mix all other ingredients and poor over the pretzels.
Toss thoroughly!!
Bake at 200 degrees for 1-2 hours with stirring every 20 minutes....

Enjoy them as Alabama takes down Auburn!!!

Getting ready to go VOTE!!!

Beer and Crockpot!!!

This might be the only way I will have a beer!!  Just not a beer fan, but now cooking with it---I can do that..
I found this recipe on Pinterest via Laa Loosh blog.  There are so many perks to it...  Weight Watchers friendly, crockpot and not many ingredients!!  Doesn't get much better than that!!!

2 lbs. skinless, boneless chicken breasts (this person used 8 breast, 4oz each)
1 bottle or can of your favorite beer----Guinness is what most are using
1 tsp salt
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tbsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp black pepper

Place all ingredients in the crock pot and cook on high for 4-5 hours or low for 6-8 hours.


Now in reading the comments from this recipe, several people used more beer if they were cooking it longer.   I always like to tell everyone to read the comments of how other followers have tweaked the recipe.  That way you can get me best of the best!!!

Check it out----LaaLoosh blog...

Motivational Monday

Sunday's Faith

THIS IS ALABAMA FOOTBALL!!!!

Please Alabama beat LSU!!!  I so do not like Les Miles!!!!

ROLL TIDE!!!!

ps:  this is an old picture but I loved the determined look of both players!!

TGIF!!!!

I hope everyone has a great weekend!!!!

Chili Time....

Finally, cold weather is upon us!!  I hope it is here to stay!!  There is nothing better in the winter then those crock-pots full of chili.  I love it so much!!  I was on Pinterest and came across a recipe for Creamy White Chicken Chili on Moore-Recipes blog.  I have never fixed a white chili before, nor have I used chicken.  I like turkey in mine.  However, I'm all about trying new things now since Pinterest has come along.   I think I may make this one for our Alabama/LSU party at my sister-in-laws....  Perfect---chili and ROLL TIDE!!!

1 lb chicken breast cut into 1/2 inch cubes.  If pushed for time, you can use a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store and just pull the meat off.
1 medium onion, chopped
2 red potatoes, peeled and diced
1/2 cup celery
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp vegetable oil
2 (15oz) cans great northern beans, rinsed and drained
1 (14oz) can chicken broth
2 (4oz) cans diced green chilies
1/4 tsp ground cumin, rounded
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp pepper
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper ----I might add a little more here---I'm a spicy girl!!!
1 cup sour cream
1/2 whipping cream

In a large sauce pan, saute chicken, potatoes, celery, onion, and garlic powder in oil until chicken is no longer pink.  Add beans, broth chilies and seasonings.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat; simmer uncovered for 30 minutes.  Remove heat; stir in sour cream and whipping cream.


Serve immediately.   If you already have cooked the chicken, just add it right before you add the creams so it can get it warm...

Check out Moore- Recipes for lots of other tasty recipes!!!