Pampered Chef.

In hopes to get some extra money for the house that Herbie and I want, and the wedding; I have started selling Pampered Chef. Which works out really well, because I love to bake and cook and EVERYTHING that makes the job in the kitchen easier!

So in a few weeks you will be able to visit my website, but until then please let me know if you need anything. You can also come to my house on April 19th, 2009 for a kick off party.

It's like Christmas when the boxes come to the house! I wonder what I can make and who will enjoy my creations. I can't wait until Herbie and I get the house... then I would cook all the time.

Long Time Coming

It's been awhile since I last blogged. I apologize, life has this werid thing of getting in the way even when we don't want it to. I promise tonight and tomorrow to sit down and really recap the past few months events! So sit back, relax, and enjoy!

Check out my cuties!

Aren't they adorable?

Stomach Issues

So- for those of you who know me on a personal level- knows I have been dealing with stomach issues since last year.

Last February 14th I got sick out to dinner with my friends. I had to go home crying in tears because my right side was killing me. It was a bad night that started months of pain.

I have come to the conclusion that Doctors don't know what they are talking about! This is why:

From February until May i was in constant pain- in and out of the hospital, visiting this doctor for this - and that doctor for that.... it sucked! Herbie stayed by my side and helped me through it all even when it was 4 in the morning before being released from the ER.

I was tested for everything! The best test was Meckles! (Okay it wasn't the best test, just the most unique "illness".) Blood work, colonoscopy, cat scans upper gi lower gi etc....

What they found was acute appendicitis (some doctors believe there is such a thing some people don't) enlarged colon, possible Crohns, cysts on my ovaries, my uterus sits backwards. The cysts will be there and probably will never bother me- the Crohns however is what they are leaning on is really wrong.

So anyways almost a year later and I am still dealing with the pain, and sickness. If anyone has ever been dealing with Crohns there is a problem with diagnosing it. You have to catch it in a flair up, but by the time you get prep for another colonoscopy you can be fine.

I keep fighting with wanting to get answers and being done with doctors. I don't want to be walking down the aisle next year and in pain, but I am so sick of dealing with it.

I hate waking up in the middle of the night. Will it ever end?

Something for the Ladies!

So remember I said life has been crazy. Here is a perfect example- Herb and I love country. We try to go to all the concerts we can, however, what is now our financial situation we have to pick and choose which concerts we go to.

This last Saturday we were able to see CHUCK WICKS he will be on this season of Dancing with the Stars with his girlfriend with Julianne Hough.

Okay, besides all that he is hott! And I was right there. Above is a picture I was able to take being so close last year when we went to see him. It's the best one(he performed at a country bar in NJ - Prospectors)

Chuck Wicks
 
More CMT Music
 
More CMT Music Videos

& Lent Begins!

So first, let me apologize for the delay in posting any recent blogs. It's been a little crazy around here with work, family, and the other crap! I promise this weekend to catch up and post the craziness that has been my life the past couple of weeks!

So today Lent Begins. Today, Ash Wednesday, you are supposed to give up one of your weaknesses to bring you closer to God. 6 weeks of giving up something you love- ugh it's a challenge.

So I had a few choices of what I was going to give up (here is the list that I had to chose from)

Pasta: I love pasta and I pretty much eat it as much as I can. It's my comfort food

Caffeine: Including Ice Tea and Coffee. Two things I live off of throughout the day.

Sweets: Again, something that is very hard for me to stay away from. I work at a company that every other Wednesday brings in Sweet Breads. Plus all the manufacturers every other day (it seems like) brings in cupcakes, cream puffs, ice cream, smoothies, chocolate, candy, etc. It's hard to say no at 2:00 when you need that last pick me up to get through the last 3 hours.

I decided to give up FAST FOOD/JUNK FOOD another weakness. When I am working and you only have 15 minutes to grab something it's usually unhealthy. This will be another challenge for me. We have trainings over lunch and they bring in Pizza or JUNK that i know better then to eat, but can't resist!

So for the next 6 weeks I am going to keep my promise to God to stay away from Fast Food/Junk Food. If Jesus could walk in the desert for 40 days and 40 nights with only bread and water I think I can go with out french fries.

I would love to know what else everyone is giving up. Leave a comment. We can support each other!

Multiple Blessings

Eight children in three years? To some of us this might seem like a crazy idea, to others it's the story of Jon & Kate Gosslin. With in 3 years their family grew from 2 to 4 then to the shock of everyone 10!

I just finished this amazing book, OK well I didn't just finish this book, but it's been a little crazy busy around here.

So anyway, back to my original thought... I just finished this amazing book, of faith, family, love and changing what is impossible to possible. I knew about Jon & Kate through their TV show on TLC - Jon & Kate Plus 8! (One of my must see shows), but reading this book I learned I had no idea!

On the show Jon & Kate open their doors to the world, but there is a lot you don't see; struggles with money, struggles with making everything work in an orderly fashion, and their faith! Their faith in this book has truly struck a chord with me to start to look deeper in my faith.

I have always thought myself to know what faith means to me, but I realize I am only beginning my journey to understand who I am truly supposed to be, and grow as a person. I am beginning on this path of "enlightenment" that so many have journeyed before me.

I put, wholeheartedly, my faith in my Lord to guide me to where I am supposed to be, and what my path will be. Got to have FAITH!

The Back Story

Okay, upon request of Katie and Nik I have started my own blog- not centered around the Wedding. For those who don't know I am an engaged 24 year old planning the wedding of my dreams to the man of my dreams. If you want to read about the wedding and tips and ideas I am picking up along the way go here- this blog is not related. This is me uncut and uncensored!

So back to the blog at hand: The Back Story!

My life has not always been beautiful as my title might make you believe. Before Herb (the Husband-to-Be *HTB) I had a very rocky time.

It all started back Freshman year of high school 1999/2000 to be exact. I decided during the winter months I would start Swimming on my high school swim team(he was the adorable Junior). During one practice- he walked in the door (We fondly refer to him now as Jerkface, but back then I thought he was the one) the rest would change my life forever.

Not to get in to much detail- he went away to camp he cheated on me; when he went on his senior trip he cheated on me (or the rumors said) I took him back both times, but it never ended. For 7 years it was on again off again- lies, let downs, cheating, fighting, abuse (mental). My parents never liked him. Every time we would end it- I always had hope he would change, and he would when we would start trying to mend our relationship- but then it was right back to the chaos that surrounded us.

Don't get me wrong. He taught me a lot about myself, and what I wanted, and most importantly needed in my life. I would never take any of those lessons back because EVERYTHING happens for a reason (good and bad).

When it was officially over for good-I spiraled out of control by my standards. I didn't want to go to school, didn't care. I worked in a bar at the time so I would wake up, go to work, work a double or whatever shift for the day, go home get a shower, get dressed, go out until 4 or 5 in the morning and drink...wake up and do it again.

That year was a blur trying to escape the past and confused about the future. To me there was no future with out "him" in it. I was trying to hide the pain, my life was figured out and ripped right out of my hands and disappeared. It was almost like it wasn't happening to me, but it was and I couldn't escape it.

To this day my family doesn't let me live that year down. They need to forget it and move on it's not my life anymore. I don't need to hear about how I was before Herb anymore. I needed to live those moments to grow!

I finally learned about what I needed and started to slowly pull myself out of this hole. First was to quit bartending job and cutting off all those people. They were my enablers- and I needed to cut my ties.

I stayed close to my family and leaned on Sami(cousin) and the people that surrounded her to help me move on. We were both going through difficult situations, and leaned on each other for support.

Then there was that night when my life started down a new and wonderful path. St. Patrick's Day I was debating all night if I was going to go out (this was a Saturday) and I wasn't sure I was up to it. I promised Sami I would go, and I would be DD. That night my life began. I met Herb, and unknown at the time, he was the man of my dreams. I knew the second time meeting him that this was my future husband.

I am here today, planning a wedding, buying and house hunting, and getting ready for what will be a wonderful life.