Well I gave up sugar again, I started last week, I am feeling better physically and yet craving it so very badly. I love sugar, if I could marry sugar I would, but I am staying off until Christmas, then I admit I plan on indulging in homemade sugar cookies and my no bake oatmeal cookies. Then back on the wagon, which will be hard however I know I can do it.
Does anyone else have this issue? A huge addiction to sugar, where you actually have withdrawal symptoms when you cleanse it out of your system? I am irritable, a little shaky, not quite the DT’s, but close, no hallucinations, yet, man, its tough!
Saturday’s show was really good, in case you missed it you can listen on our website, http://www.convosate.com, we are also in ITunes, you can subscribe to the podcast and it will download automatically. We talked about grieving and the holidays that is something I face every holiday and have for a long time. When one is surrounded by older people from a young age you face grieving sooner than you should have to.
There are so many people I miss this time of year, my grandparents, my parents, my son, my great aunt Effie, one of my best friends Sandi, Chewie. I also have a grand daughter who is in heaven; it is a tough time of year. However, I have my memories and I hold them close to me, they comfort me, they sustain me. I have so many memories of Christmases with my cousins at my grandparent’s house, the warmth, the laughter, the food. Those early years the memories are jumbled, but they bring such warmth to my soul, it is almost like I can reach out and touch them.
When I get sad, and I do get sad at times, I think back to all of the happy, fun times I have had with the people I miss and it makes me smile. I also think of where they are now, and the amazing celebration they are having. I know without a doubt they are having the best time, because everyone I know that has passed, they are in heaven. I honestly don’t know how people who don’t believe in a higher power handle grief, where do they think their loved ones are? I know without a doubt I will see my people again, I will have a joyous reunion with them, I will get to hug them, laugh with them and catch them up on all that happened after they left us. They will take me around and introduce me to relatives who went before I was born. I have vivid images of what it will be like, however, I know that I don’t have an imagination vivid enough for how it will really be.
Christmas Romance?
When did Christmas become a romantic holiday? That is the question of the day, everywhere you look the media is telling you that you have to be part of a couple to celebrate the holiday to the fullest. From the commercials to the movies to the songs, everywhere you look, it is romance. This holiday was never meant to be a romantic holiday, it is the time we come together to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, where in that does one get be romantic?
We are inundated with it, even the animated shows, Rudolph gets Clarice in the end, Kris Kringle finds his Mrs. Clause, Frosty even gets a wife in Frosty Returns. All the great Christmas movies are romantic, Holiday Inn, Love Actually, The Holiday, It’s a Wonderful Life and even THE Christmas Story, Mary had Joseph to take care of her.
It is my belief that we need to get away from this, we need to acknowledge this is a season of giving, of ourselves, to others, not focus on romance, or gifts. We need to stop focusing on romance during this time; it should be a time of love, not romantic love, but humanity love. A time to focus our attention on the important things in life, taking care of our fellow man, praising our Savior, celebrating God’s love for us. He loved us so much he gave us his only begotten son. That is what this season is about; He gave go much to us, why are we not giving to others? Not material things, but our time, our attention, our services.
I am going to do something for someone other than myself this season, I don’t know what yet, but that is my vow. I encourage all of you to stop listening to the media, stop looking for romance during this season and really open your hearts and do something for someone that doesn’t require money. Do something that simply requires your time and perhaps a skill you have that someone needs. Cleaning someone’s gutters or raking their leaves, maybe shoveling snow out of their driveway if you live up North.
I would love to hear how you handle all of the romantic images thrown your way during this time, does it affect you or do you really not notice?
My Theory
I have a theory, a theory on why women seem to be behaving badly on a higher level these days. I formed my theory last night, at the annual Christmas shindig of The Ladies that Lunch. We were talking about how enjoyable it was to get together and talk just the girls. One of the women then said that women don’t have an outlet like they used to, in the days before electricity, internet and television, there used to be sewing circles, quilting bees and other gatherings, where the men raised barns or helped with the crops and the women would gather, talk, share experiences, give advice to the younger ones or comfort a grieving widow, mother or sister. Then came the industrial revolution, people moved to the cities, where there were still the sewing circles, the quilting bees and the general feeling of helpfulness. Then came the suburbs, coffee clutches replaced sewing circles, then came WWII, women went to into the workforce like never before. There was no time for coffee clutches, quilting bees or sewing circles, this is when women began to lose close contact with one another.
When you don’t have the close contact with women friends it is easy to betray them, it is easy to hurt someone faceless. With the internet, text messaging, instant messenger, facebook, twitter and yes myspace, you can behave as badly as you want and no one will find out.
Only that is not the case, someone always finds out and someone always gets hurt. Women need to get back to gathering together. We need the camaraderie, the support of other women, when we lose that we lose a closeness, an accountability, we lose a part of ourselves. I would never dream of purposely hurting another woman, I believe it is because I have close friendships with so many, I meet on a monthly basis with a group of women that give me support, love, acceptance and a place where we all listen to each other and commiserate, celebrate and lift each other up. I wish other women had this, perhaps it is time to bring back the sewing circles, coffee clutches, quilting bees and even the book clubs.
Foggy
I love fog, not the kind that is so thick you can’t see, the kind where it just looks creepy, it reminds me of the old, scary movies that I used to watch as a kid. The ones with Bela Lugosi, Vincent Price and Lon Chaney, I loved those movies, they were in black and white and so creepy. If you have not seen any of those, you really should find them and watch them, they are just greatness.
I grew up watching scary movies, they came on every Saturday afternoon when I was a kid, I have always been fascinated by the idea of Dracula, the Wolfman, Frankenstein’s monster and the Mummy, the thought that you could move things with just a twitch of your nose, or nodding your head and blinking, well the thought is heady indeed.
Please don’t get me wrong, I am no occultist, nor do I believe they really exist, I just enjoy a good story and those beings make good storytelling. I feel the need for a good Buffy Marathon, perhaps when I am off work, after Christmas, which would be a good time, I like watching them when I am alone and can have my popcorn and diet coke. No more milk duds, man I miss those. Maybe I can also watch my favorite Christmas movie, Holiday Inn, I love that movie, I think I shall watch that this weekend.
Well it is my Friday and I am so happy, I do believe I shall enjoy my weekend, recording tomorrow, getting Tess tomorrow after school, and I plan on decorating this weekend. We shall see, I feel rather lazy; however I do enjoy decorating for Christmas, even if it is just for me to enjoy. Having no small children in the home to decorate with, well it is totally different. If you have children still at home, enjoy this time of year, it does not last long. I miss decorating with my children. We all took such delight in decorating, then they would help their dad decorate. They had a double dose of Christmas, I wonder if they miss those days, or if they are happy they are over with.
Christmas Memories
Well Christmas is upon us and it is time for me to do a spreadsheet to keep up with Christmas presents for people and my Christmas budget. Yes, I do that, I keep a spreadsheet; it makes life easier to keep track of what I get for people and the amount of money I spend. I don’t charge anything, I spend cash, this way I don’t owe anything after Christmas, makes for a very stress free January.
This time of year is filled with highs and lows for me, while I love Christmas and I love spending it with my children and Tess, I miss so many people this time of year. I really miss my mom; I keep her memory especially close to me this time of year. I make her dressing recipe, I cook things in her cooking pot I have and I have a couple of her ornaments for my tree. She always delighted in Christmas so much, she was truly a blessed person, she loved opening her home and heart to all, she encouraged her children and grandchildren to invite others to partake in the festivities. I remember she used to buy extra gifts, generic ones for boys and for girls. She didn’t want anyone to feel left out if they arrived unexpectedly, they would have a gift to open along with everyone else. There are so many reasons my mom was loved by everyone who came into contact with her, this small gesture is just one of the reasons, when you walked into my mom and dad’s home you knew you were welcomed.
I tend to be more nostalgic this time of year, I know, I am nostalgic all year long, however this time of year it is magnified, so if you have not experienced that with me before, well, welcome to December. I’d like to be able to promise I won’t go overboard, however, I will not lie to you, it is going to happen. I miss the snow, snow and Christmas just go together, I hate that we only have it here every once in a while. We did not have it last year, but the year before we did, it is not looking good this year for snow; however I am keeping hope alive.
In the country, at my mom and dad’s house, when it snowed, it was amazing, magical, beautiful, especially when the moon was high in the sky. The snow covered trees sparkled like they were covered in silver glitter, glistening, making everything amazing and wondrous. To this day, when I am sad, I close my eyes and conjure the images of days past, when it would snow and make even the starkest of landscapes amazingly beautiful.
I hope everyone has a magical Christmas, and an amazing New Years, that is my prayer for all of my friends this time of year. I would love to hear about some of your favorite memories about the holiday season, what you used to do as a child, the things your parents used to do that you now continue with your children.
Finally Awake!
I am awake now; it only took two days, so here I am folks, ready to rock and roll! I have my coffee and yogurt and took my vitamins, let’s get this party started! First off I want to say after spending the day with Elizabeth Anne in Sherman on Saturday was truly enjoyable, after the optometrist, which was brutal. We rode in her Jeep and listened to her music, I have to say her musical tastes are as eclectic as my own, I am so proud at the range she has. No pigeon hole for her, she goes from Tracy Lawrence to Kiss, so proud.
She hates my beloved Snowman cookie from Starbucks, that I cannot believe; I think she needs to go to a taste bud doctor. I shall see what I can find; to not enjoy something I do is unimaginable! I don’t even know what to think about that. At least we have Taco Bueno!
We are four shows down on Conversations with Shanon J and Angie B, this is fast becoming one of my favorite days of the week. The days I get to record with Shanon, you should hear the stuff that is off the air. I told her we should make a blooper reel, we are really funny, and at times deep, we got into something the other day that we will have to tackle on the air. However, it is just deserving of longer than 15 minutes. By the way, in case you missed our show, you can catch up on http://www.convosate.com and we are on ITunes, this is all thanks to the Irishman. Also you can purchase items with what has become our catchphrase, What are we doing today God? at http://www.shop.convosate.com. Great stocking stuffers to be had. You can also find our email addresses there; we would love to hear from you, tell us what you would like to hear about.
So, Christmas is fast approaching and I have done no decorating, not from lack of wanting to, but lack of time. I will put up the tree this weekend, I promise, I love the twinkling lights so much, I am going to be a decorating fool.
More shopping this weekend with Elizabeth Anne, she is coming to Plano, so we will be shopping till we drop, then crawling.
Discombobulated
Taking the day off. Forgot coffee.
Once and Again
The world is back to normal, today is my Friday, and yes, it included Starbucks, a skinny version of my normal. Plus, no Snowman cookie, it was incredibly hard not to order that thing this morning. Instead I have my skinny mint mocha with my cottage cheese and a fruit cup. I am a sad, sad person this morning; however since it is Friday I am strangely happy as well.
I keep waiting for the snow to come, it always starts off promising at 5:30 when I am leaving the apartment, it is cold and crisp, but then it warms up. Seriously, this needs to end, I need the cold to stay, I need snow this year. We had no snow last year, it was infuriating, I need it this year, I promise if it does not snow I will go insane, completely and thoroughly insane.
If my children are reading this, I need a Christmas list from you, I have Jeffrey’s, Tessa is almost done, so that leaves Elizabeth Anne and Alex, get those in! Oh, wait, Alex told me what he wants, so, that leaves just Elizabeth Anne, she is a little slow this year, usually by now I know exactly what she wants. I know a few things and I have gotten all three a very special gift, which I am so excited to give them, I really hope they love it.
Last night was Arrow, I am really loving that show, they are doing justice to the mythology of the comic. Last night, just for trivia buffs, the guest star was Jeffrey Nordling who was on Once and Again with Susanna Thompson who plays Oliver Queen’s mother. I loved Once and Again, the stars were Sela Ward and Billy Campbell, they played divorced parents who meet in the carpool lane at their children’s school. It gave hope to every single mother sitting in a carpool lane, although very few of us looked like Sela Ward and I guarantee there were no dad’s that looked like Billy Campbell sitting around. However, it was well done, beautifully acted and of course short lived, because truly intelligent television doesn’t last long.
Snowman Cookie Deprived
Welcome to Wide Awake Wednesday, it is the time for dancing and celebrating, you made it to another middle of the week! Why yes, I have had coffee, so nice of you to ask, and no, it is not too much. It is just enough of the sweet nectar of the gods to provide much needed energy. Let us all recognize that this is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. I love that song!
Well I am day three and no sugar, well, no cookies and candy, I am having fruit, so I guess that is natural sugar. So day three with no Starbucks snowman cookie, I am grieving at saying goodbye to my friend the snowman, he and I had a good run. I looked him up on the Weight Watcher points; he alone is 11 points, that is like 2 meals! In one little, harmless looking cookie! That man is pure evil; he is sweet, sugary, amazing evil. I miss him.
As you all might know I have a love/hate relationship with food, I love food, I am not a foodie, I have the dietary tastes of a 10 year old. I love things like puffy Cheetos and snowmen cookies, mini tacos from 7-Eleven, it is really sad. I wish I were one of those food snobs, who like only the best ingredients and makes things from scratch. But no, I like only things that are bad for me, things that create a wondrous party in my mouth. Like the snowman cookie, that first bite, first the hat, the cookie itself melts in your mouth, the icing is just a perfect blend of sugar and cream cheese. When you bite into it and allow the taste to settle into your tongue, it is just perfection.
Contentious, that is my relationship with food; I seriously wish I could eat anything I wanted and never gain an ounce. My BFF, Tammi, is like that, always skinny, always able to eat what she wants, when she wants. I am so jealous! But not in a bad way, in a good way, a way that makes me work hard and stay half way decent looking.
I will be eating on Christmas, no point counting, no looking, just eating, sugar cookies, no bake cookies, honey baked ham, dressing, green bean casserole, the whole nine yards. Oh and don’t forget deviled eggs, love those things!
Back on the Wagon
So I have stepped back onto the wagon after a huge falling off, I cannot believe I allowed things to spiral out of control like I did. But I am back on, watching every bite that goes into my mouth and I will let you know at the end of the week how it is going. So far, one day down, it is going good. Although I really want a Santa cookie from Starbucks, however I am resisting. I will have to see how many points it will cost me to eat it, that may cure me of any lingering desires.
The past week was a blur, it was busy and non-stop, first off I worked 5 days last week, and I know what you are thinking, well, Angie I work five days a week every week. For me it was 3 10 hour days followed by 2 eight hour days. Then it was waking up and going into the studio to record with Shanon on Saturday, we had such a great conversation! Then there were technical difficulties and our new show did not air Saturday evening. But that’s ok, I told Shanon perhaps God knew better than us and someone out there needed to hear that one again, or for the first time. So a new show will be on this coming Saturday, I hope you all will listen. After the studio was the grocery store, which I loathed, I hate grocery shopping, but I did it and then home to my pajamas and laundry.
I have had Jeffrey’s dog while the kids were out of town, and he called Saturday and asked if I wanted to bring Russ back on Sunday. I told him that made me happy because I was already in my pajamas. He said that I could also help him and Tess decorate their Christmas tree on Sunday. A good time was had by all, we decorated and laughed and had a good time. Back home for more laundry, ugh, it never ends.
I did it again people, I watched The Walking Dead before trying to fall asleep on Sunday night, I don’t know why I did it. Spoiler alert, if you have not watched it, stop reading, Carl was so sweet when he named the baby. He chose his third grade teachers name, Judith, that is a good name, a strong name, that baby is going to need a strong name. How creepy is that Governor, man, I would not want to meet up with him, on a dark street, a lit street or any street. He has so many creepy things going on in that town; I can’t wait till he and Rick meet up. He made a major mistake taking Glen and Maggie, and what did he do to Maggie? He is in for it! I can hardly wait for next week.
Angie World 