Food Blog Junkie

I'm addicted! I tell you it is very bad. I have become a food blog junkie! It all started when my sister turned me on to The Pioneer Woman. I find myself checking her blog every day to see what else she is cooking. The fact that she loves photography and takes step by step pictures of what she is doing makes it all that much more interesting. Then one day a guest host was added and being the curious person that I am I followed the link back to that guest's blog and became enamored of her site as well. It snowballed from there...Now I have five or six "Foodie" blogs that I check regularly and enjoy the "cooking show". Even if it is some dish that doesn't particularly strike my fancy I read to the end to find out how it's done. One in particular really makes me happy...it's called "How to Cook Like Your Grandmother". All those old fashioned recipes that are really good and not a bit good for you!

There, now I've confessed I feel better.

Connected....

After much grief from my loving children and family I have conceded and joined the "connected" world. My children have graciously allowed me to join their "family plan" at Verizon and I am now the proud owner of a cell phone with $5 worth of text messaging per month.

I am not a backward person (i.e. I use a computer to make my living and carry a Nextel radio/phone for my job) therefore it wasn't the skill I lacked to operate such a handy device but the expense. I could not rationalize spending the money when I already have a work-phone that I can use for emergencies or very short local conversations. I'm home alot and I have a landline phone there so I never had a problem.

Then a few weeks ago, as usually happens when things are going smoothly, Murphy came to visit. Thank goodness the damage wasn't permanent or expensive, but for a few weeks my landline would not function. During that time my children increased the pressure for me to get a cell phone (for their peace of mind) and offered to let me go on their plan for a pittance per month. I gave in....

Long story shortened...I have been enjoying the new gadget very much. Watch out for grammatically correct text messaging coming your way...he he. (We'll see how long that lasts)

Whew!

I have resurfaced! I am back among the land of the living. Last week was a long hard week, 32 regular hours, 13 overtime hours and .5 hour doubletime by Thursday afternoon! The work was steady and I have a sore wrist to prove it. Carpal tunnel here I come. If it wasn't for the fact that I have a huge wall-window in my office I don't think I would have seen daylight several of those days last week. By Friday I was exhausted, but the year was closed in our billing department.

The best part? I have a fantastic boss. At 11am on Friday he came in and thanked me for all my hard work and told me to go home at noon with pay for the rest of the day. Yahoo!

I went home and ate my lunch and relaxed until about 2:45 when I went (for the first time in three weeks) to pick up my nephew from school. He was really glad to see me....or was it that chocolate shake from McDonalds he was glad to see? Either way we went home and he entertained himself while I took a 2 hour nap. Thank goodness he's 13 and can entertain himself. Thank goodness he's almost 14 and hopefully over being 13! (If he was listening he would say to me...Shu up!)

I spent the weekend recouperating...funny, the computer held no appeal for me..lol. I don't think I spent more than an hour or two at the computer all weekend. I'm back among you now and ready for whatever comes next! I think that's a wedding....but that will be another blog.

Sunday Night

Okay, the Holidays are officically over. All my company has gone home, to stay this time I think...I enjoyed them so much while they were here and welcome them to come again anytime.

I had a great time over the past few weeks. I haven't been blogging much because I've been having so much fun. And eating too much...oh my....way too much. The See's candy is gone. It's time to get back to the basics. And now it's Sunday night....tomorrow starts the year end crunch...I will be working long hours and hopefully making boucoup bucks in the process...a great way to start my year of saving and giving. So I will likely be silent on my blog for awhile. See you after the crunch!

The Holidays have come and are almost gone. I'm sitting here at home on New Year's Day reflecting on the wonderful times we've had over the last few days...the family, the fun, the friends, the freezing weather, the food...are you noticing a trend here?...and the financial freedom that has made this the best Holiday Season I have enjoyed for a while. I believe my 'season' was virtually stress-free! I was able to do a few nice things that I have wanted to do in years past but was unable to because of the financial strain. I hope my family feels blessed. I do.

I resolve to do even better this year. To save more, to watch my pennies more and to give more than I ever have before. And to share with anyone who will listen the reason I feel more successful in financial areas than I ever have before and how they, too, can feel more financially successful.

So, Happy New Year! May all your debts get paid off and your savings accounts swell. May you enjoy giving to the charities of your choice. May you be blessed in ways you never thought of.