Snow! (really?)

What a weird season it's been.  For the most part, it's as though winter never really showed up. Until the last couple of weeks.  We had snow last week and snow today.  It was beautiful.  Fluffy flakes that built up and made everything white and pretty.  

I love the sound that walking on fresh snow makes.  It's a squishy sound.  And, everything seems so quiet and muffled.  Snow.  On the last day of March.  Crazy!  

It bent over the daffodils.  Bummer.  But they weren't all in bloom, so we will still have plenty of them left for Easter.  

It snows so rarely here.  I'm excited when it happens.  But, at this point, I'm tired of being cold.  I long to sit on my deck and enjoy sunshine.  I'm ready for spring and even more ready for summer.  Bring on the sunshine!

Girl Day!

I got a gift for my birthday and I decided to treat myself to a pedicure.  But, only if my dear daughter would go with me.  We did this for her birthday too!  Any excuse to spend time with her is good with me!  She had a doctors appointment and we met right after.  

At her doctor's appointment they got another picture of the baby.  Wow.  In my day (I can't believe that I talk like this!)....we didn't even know for sure that we were pregnant at this early stage.  I don't even remember having home pregnancy tests.  But, now, at only 9 weeks, they have a picture of the baby and my son in law even video taped it on his cell phone.  Amazing!  They are so excited. Beyond excited!  

He dropped her off at the salon and she was ALL mine!  We relaxed and talked and just enjoyed each others company.  It seems like we are always busy and finding time to just visit is rare these days. 

I love getting a pedicure.  The place that we go is really pretty and nice.   It has a spa like feeling.

I have to share this funny video about getting a manicure....prepare to laugh!

After our mini spa session, we did another favorite activity.  We went thrift store shopping!  Or as I prefer to call it "treasure hunting".  We have four places that are our favorites.  At the last one, we both found a few things and when we paid they undercharged us.  My daughter tried to point this out (isn't she honest!), and we were informed that it was HALF price day.  What  a great ending to a fun day.  I drove her home to her new mansion (did I tell you about that?).  That's what I call her new house.  It's huge and oh so nice.  Once they are settled I'll take some pictures and share them with you.  

I'm not an artist

My husband can draw anything.  I'm always amazed by this talent.  My kids can all draw also.  Hubby's family are all artists.  But, not me.  I always say that I can't even draw stick people.  Well, that has changed.  Lately I've been drawing a LOT of stick people.  

Last week at my birthday party, we were all sitting around chatting.  One of my kids started talking about this fun game on the Iphone.  Before long, five of us had our Iphones out and were playing this game with each other.  Imagine all of us sitting in my living room glued to our phones and laughing!  That is the modern world folks!  

The object of the game, Drawsomething, is to draw something and the other person guesses what it is.  It can be pretty hilarious!  You can play with people you know or strangers.  

My daughter posted this drawing she made on her Facebook page:

It's a butcher.  I asked her why she would murder a bunny.  She said it was because she couldn't draw a cow.  Lol.  

My son could not get over this drawing.  It was one of my first ones.  I ask you, how does one "draw" a "fart"?  Once you get the word assigned, you have to follow through.  I kept telling him that "I" thought it was obvious!

Once you get going, it's really fun. My son in law drew this one:

Did you guess "sky"?  

I drew this one for him:

Golf cart.  Obvious...right?

I was on the phone with my son and I couldn't figure one out (with a stranger).  He told me to text it to him.  He had to instruct me (of course), to take a picture of it and how to text it.  I learned two new things there! Alas, he could not guess either.  

Yeah.  I could not figure this out.  First of all, where is the "drawing".  We all think words are a last resort (but I would rather use the words than lose the points).  The answer ended up being "glee". 

We are drawing with only our finger.  More points gets you more colors.  What did we all do before having this technology?  Is it a waste of time?  Maybe, but, for me, I love that little connection when one of my kids plays a game with me.  They are so busy with their lives, it just feels nice to know that in that moment....we were connected.  

And, it's made me draw.  I am no better now than I was when I started, but I have learned a little bit more about getting my point across without words.  Yesterday I was explaining a project that I need hubby to help me with.  He asked if I could draw in on a piece of paper.  In the past, this would have caused me trepidation.  Not now, I just whipped out the paper and proceeded to draw it out.  It's not art.  But, he knew what I wanted.  Thank you Draw Something....for making me a reluctant (and not very good) artist. 

Happy Day

Today was a happy day.  For no reason in particular.  I felt like I was whining a couple of days ago.  So I wanted to share with you how great I feel today.  I have gotten myself back on track with eating healthy food and that is the only change I made.  What a difference a couple of days can make.  

Today I feel inspired and happy.  I have so many creative ideas swirling around in my head.  I'm amazed that food can take all that away.  Last week, I wasn't having creative exciting thoughts.  Today, I am back to having so many inspired ideas that I am writing them down in my notebook.  This is how life is supposed to be.  

For a while I have been thinking about 3 decorating ideas for my home office that I have been remodeling, and today, I found the materials that I need for all three of them.  I'm excited to get to work on them and I will share as soon as I have some results. 

Getting back on track was really easy actually.  For only the past two days, I have had two Isagenix shakes and one regular meal.  For snacks, I had a slim cake (an Isagenix fiber cookie....mmm yummy) and an apple with a little peanut butter.  

After last week, where I had pizza, cake, ice cream, chips, wine and more (it was my birthday after all).  Ugh.  Oh, and Starbucks.  So, simply giving those things up have brought me back to happy.  It's totally worth it.  I'm going to go back to one cheat day a week, where I can eat whatever I want (after 4pm).  If you want to buddy with me with healthy eating, send me an email!  

My Online Neighborhood

It's raining.  again.  We really need it, we've hardly even had a winter at all. When it's raining, I just want to stay inside where it's warm and dry.  And, I can do that.  I have the luxury of working from home.  I've got my morning cuppa (not coffee...it's a shake), and my internet.  What more do I need?

I am so happy that I do not have to get up and go to an office.  But, I am a people person, and there is no one here but hubby (who also works from home).  My "watercooler" is the internet.  When you work in an office, you can talk to your co-workers.  When you work from home, you can go on Facebook and see what everyone is up to. 

Can you really make friends on line?  I say YES!  In fact, one of my dearest friends found me through my blog, and now we are in business together.  How fun is that?   

I think of the internet as my neighborhood.  Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, blogging, I enjoy interacting with people in all of these areas!  I like reading about their lives and what they like and don't like.  The internet is a wonderful place indeed.  My daughter even met her wonderful husband on the internet (Match).  

If you are new to Lulus Cottage, please feel free to look around.  And, I would love it if you would leave a comment, I would like to come visit you too!

That damn wagon!

I have fallen off the wagon....again.  What is it about that wagon that makes it so slippery?  I'm talking about food.  I have been eating all the wrong foods for a few weeks, and it's taking it's toll.  Am I addicted to food?  It's possible. I read a study (click here to read it ) that measured the brain activity and the result is that food addiction has brain reactions that they see in drug addicts.  Uh oh.  

I have to say that the more unhealthy food I eat... THE MORE I WANT!   And, the more I eat, the more I feel my control and will power slipping away.  

I've even had some (gasp) fast food!  I've had pizza, chips, cookies, cake, wine, fried foods, goodies (I'm getting hungry again!).

Here is what I have noticed over the past few weeks.  It's way more than those pounds that have shown up or that my clothes feel tight......

*The more I eat the hungrier I get.  Right now, I'm hungry ALL the time. Even when I'm full.  

*The more I eat (unhealthy) the more susceptible I am to suggestion, tv commercials, invites to eat out etc.

*I have lost my "mojo", I don't have the energy I'm used to, and I don't even care.

*I don't have my "happy".  I miss feeling really happy and excited about life.  Now that I am living off the wagon, I don't have that anymore.

*My sleep is not as restful anymore.  I wake up tired.

*My food doesn't taste good.  But, that doesn't stop me from eating it! 

The one saving grace I have kept up with having my protein shake (Isagenix) every morning.  I can't imagine where I would be without it. 

NEWSFLASH!  As I was typing this, hubby came in and invited me to brunch.  I felt like saying yes.  But, I just can't do it anymore.  I need to get back to feeling good.  So, NO it is.  He looked disappointed, but we both need to get back on track.  Life is so much better when we feel good.

I think about how many people never eat healthy.  Somebody is eating all that fast food.  And, people in general, are getting heavier and heavier (and sicker and sicker)...(and tired-er and tired-er).  I wonder if they even know what it is to really feel good.  To feel excited about life.  To have energy and happiness.  I'm sad to think that they are missing these feelings and don't even know it.  This is way more than what size a person is or how much they weigh.  It's about having a zest for life and preventing illness.  Being healthy.

I'm lucky to have tasted that good life and I know that it's worth the discipline that someone like me has to employ to get there.  My daughter teased me and said I need to go to "rehab".  I know that there are many people who can't relate to what I'm saying.  Food has no hold on them.  But, it does on me.  Always has.  

So, now that I told hubby "no" to eating out,  I feel like I've taken that first step back to normal.  Plus, I told YOU about it, so that should keep me honest, right?  Thankfully, I have the Nutritional Cleansing Program that is Isagenix at my fingertips and I can bounce back quickly.  It's such a blessing.  I can remember when I didn't have this healthy simple solution to fall back on.  Those feelings of frustration are still fresh in my memory even now 8 years later (read about it here).  So, Isagenix to the rescue!  Whew.   Isagenix is my wagon and I want back on!

P.S.   Two (Isalean) shakes today and 30 minutes on the treadmill....and I'm feeling sooo much better!  Ah.

Being a Grandma

Today is the last day of "Grammy Camp" and on both sides there is a mixture of "Boo Hoo" and "YAY".  It was just the right amount of time.  Any longer and they would be very homesick.

Being a Grandma is....lots of things.  I was going to say hard.  I kind of envy those women that seem so natural at being a Grandma (and Mom).  They seem to have all the patience in the world.  I wasn't born with the Grandma (Mom) gene.  I'm sure of it.  I have literally zero patience.  I think back to all those years as a Mom and all the times that I completely lost my cool.  I'm much more in control as a Grandma.  I'm nice (or at least I try!)  But, for me being nice is soooo much work.  

I'm used to my quiet little life.  Just having people around 24/7 is an adjustment.  When they are my own granddgirls....it's exhausting!  As they get older, it gets much easier.  But, I feel the need to keep them totally occupied.  I worry about making memories and wonder if they are having fun.  Is washing the dog fun?  Or a chore?  After seeing them dress him up, I'm thinking it was a good call.  

As for the sewing project for my oldest Granddaughter, I hope that I was able to show her something useful.  I think I sort of took the project over and she just ended up watching me make her dress.  It turned out great and she was super happy about it.  But, I imagined having her do a lot more of it herself.  There was that lack of patience again.  Sigh.

It's hard to find the balance between doing too much and not doing enough.  In the end, it just is what it is I suppose.  Still, what would it be like to be a "natural" grandma?  Someone with endless patience and love and caring?

I remember when my kids were little and my son was being a real challenge (putting it nicely) at about the age of 10.  I was telling my good friend that I didn't think I was a good Mother.  She looked at me and wisely said that a bad Mother wouldn't even wonder about it.  With that said, maybe I'm not so bad at being a Grandma after all.  They seem to think I'm pretty wonderful.   Hope I can continue to keep them fooled!