I don't usually do this, but....

So, I'm sitting at Coco's having soup with my friend, Kathy, when a man walks in with his wife and 2 little girls.

Our waitress (Kathy's daughter) says "That's Brock (Christopher Rich) from REBA". Then, we heard him talk in that cute Texas accent.

He and his wife were real nice talking to everyone, SOOOOO of course I went over and asked if he'd take a pic with me when he was done with his dinner.... I really DON'T do this to people, NORMALLY.... ESPECIALLY when they are with their families. But by this time the whole restaurant knew who he was, and he was talking to everyone.

Anyway, when he was done, he came to our table and said "Scoot over, let's take a picture!!" Well, it came out great, but stupid me DIDN'T SAVE IT!!! So he took ANOTHER one with me on the way out!! LOL!!



Joann

Horrible Tragedy

I guess most of you have heard on the news that a horrible tragedy has happened in my little community. I've received some e-mails regarding the Christmas Tragedy in Covina, California.

Since I'm off work right now for the season, I haven't heard if these kids belong to my school district, but chances are, they do. There are several kids left without parents, the death toll is up to 10 people killed there... all adults (different news stations say 9 people, I'm not really sure yet, they're still searching.)

Anyway, I wanted to ask that you all please keep the surviving family in your prayers, such a horrible thing to happen on Christmas will, I'm sure, ruin Christmas for these kids for the rest of their lives.

Thank you very much, I appreciate all your well wishes for this family.

God Bless,
Joann

Forgiveness

I like to think that when we get to Heaven, we'll see the opposite sides of all the injustices that have taken place in the world (or at least the ones that affect us in our lives) so that we can forgive completely and live in Heaven with pure and loving hearts.

When I get angry or hurt with someone, and I feel that what they've done is purposeful, I have a hard time forgiving.... SOOOO, I wasn't planning on spending Christmas with my family this year.... but I did, and all went well.

It's the season of forgiveness, right!! A time when you're supposed to put things aside and remember the actual reason for the season. It's hard, I know... but it makes your life so much richer when you can find a way to do that.

I think I talked myself into just letting go of it all, and enjoying Christmas!! I forgave, even when I wasn't asked for forgiveness, or nobody cared if I forgave... I did, because otherwise, it would have ruined Christmas for my son and for me!!

I also forgave the neighbor who was giving me a hard time with the parking situation a few months back.... she got her way so it was easy for her to come bring a Christmas present to us, it was harder for me to accept it, and offer her some tamales I'd made... but I guess it's much easier to live in peace than in anger, huh?!?!

Hey, 'tis the season, right!!

I hope you all had a beautiful Christmas, and will enjoy a blessed New Year!! Be careful and stay safe!!

Joann

Merry Christmas to all

Just wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful, blessed New Year!!! May you enjoy the love of family during the holiday season!!

Always,
Joann

I added a new song to my playlist for the season. I know that you've all heard this song, but just in case you've never really listened to the words of the song..... (as recorded by Stevie Wonder, and many others)

"Someday At Christmas"

Someday at Christmas men won't be boys
Playing with bombs like kids play with toys
One warm December our hearts will see
A world where men are free.

Someday at Christmas there'll be no war
When we have learned what Christmas is for
When we have found what life's really worth
There'll be peace on earth.

Someday all our dreams will come to be
Someday in a world where men are free
Maybe not in time for you and me
But someday at Christmastime.

Someday at Christmas we'll see a land
With no hungry children, no empty hand
One happy morning people will share
A world where people care.

Someday at Christmas there'll be no tears
All men are equal and no men have fears,
For one shining moment my heart ran away
From our world today.

Someday all our dreams will come to be
Someday in a world where men are free
Maybe not in time for you and me
But someday at Christmastime.

Someday at Christmas man will not fail
Hate will be gone and love will prevail
Someday a new world that we can start
With hope in every heart.

Maybe not in time for you and me
But someday at Christmastime,
Someday at Christmastime.

Too Many Friends???

Can anyone really have too many friends?? I LOVE having lots of friends, I love spending time with them and sharing meals with them, and during the holidays people want to spend MORE time together and just enjoy each other's company, and of course, EAT MORE!!!!!

I haven't stopped eating in weeks and I see no end in sight. EVERY NIGHT there's another dinner invitation, EVERY DAY there's a brunch or a lunch, every weekend there's a party!! People EVERYWHERE are offering me baked goodies and even tamales, already!!! I SWEAR I could FEEL my butt growing!!!

I'm so scared!!! I think I'm going to POP soon.... and the END of the Holiday Season is STILL THREE WHOLE WEEKS AWAY!!!!!!

Another friend invited me to dinner tonight, I graciously declined with every intention of going to the gym... well, the intentions were there!! But then i got home, and... well, it's COLD outside... (ok, maybe not the kind of cold YOU are dealing with, it's 54 degrees out, but STILL!!)

Well, tomorrow night I'll hit the gym for sure!! = ) Oh wait, tomorrow night I'm meeting a friend for coffee!! One can never have too many friends!!

Joann

My Thanksgiving weekend

My Thanksgiving was wonderful, spent with family and lots of good food. This is a pic of my mom and me.



I went to the mountains with some girlfriends, four women in a huge cabin for an entire 3 day weekend.... and we had a BLAST (and ALOT of wine!)

We each brought a meal to prepare and share, mine was Saturday morning breakfast. I made scrambled eggs with onion, garlic, red/green bell peppers; bacon; a potato and cheese casserole; diced cantaloupe/honeydew melon; yogurt; cinnamon rolls; OJ, and coffee (with bailey's... LOL!!!) Can you imagine... all that food for just four women... not big women either (well, maybe ONE {she says blushing}). We did have just a bit of leftovers, but not much!

We went on a hike... I actually CLIMBED a pretty good size dirt hill !!!!! We met a beautiful (and VERY FRIENDLY) black cat named Tuna Breath!!

We watched movies and played games like Scrabble and Uno... and mainly just laughed ALOT (and even cried, just a little) all weekend long!!

This was us enjoying the cool mountain air on one of the many deck around the cabin! The girl with the BIG smile on bottom is Roseann, it was her 50th that we were celebrating, her birthday was on Thanksgiving day!!

ADVERTISERS are COMMENTING!!!!!!

WHAT THE HECK....!?!??! ADVERTISERS are posting COMMENTS on my blog!!!!! I can't believe this!!! I don't want to have to read every comment before it's published or have my readers enter in funny letters that make funny words just to leave a comment!!! Grrrr!!!! This is RIDICULOUS!!! I'm not going to delete it, so that you all can see it... it's the last comment on my last post! A comment from 'online casinos'..... Online Casinos, if you are reading this, I want you to know that you are the reason we hate advertisers!!!! You get into everything!!! This is my personal blog for my friends, I will not go private just because of you!! I will, however, in the future, delete all the comments you leave here.... and absolutely BOYCOTT 'ONLINE CASINOS'!!!

Joann

I'd like to request all you wonderful 'spotters' to visit Estela, she'd really like to have some visitors at her blog!!

I went out to celebrate a very close friend of mine's (Roseann) 50th birthday today. Her birthday is actually on Thanksgiving Day, but we celebrated her today!! 14 of her closest friends and family, all women, went to a nice and fun mexican restaurant called La Huasteca. There were mariachi's there, and we all loved our food (which was a good thing, since I picked the restaurant... LOL!!) It was a great time for everyone, and Roseann's mother (whom I've know pretty well for quite awhile) came to me afterward and thanked me for organizing it all for her daughter and for being such a good friend to her... she made me cry!! LOL!! It was 'a moment'... LOL!!

I've decided that I'm going to celebrate my mom's 70th birthday at this same restaurant next year. My mom will LOVE the mariachi's!!! LOL!!

Don't forget to visit Estela... thanks!!

Joann

I didn't realize that I'd won ONE MORE... Congrats to Linda who won this award, and passed it on to me. Thank you so much Linda, you're a sweetie!! Hope you are doing well!!

Take Care, Have a great weekend everyone!!

Joann

I am honored to have received the Marie Antoinette award from TWO different bloggers!!! Julie and Missy

I would in turn like to honor 7 other bloggers that I think are wonderful!!

My Thotful Spot

The Fox Diarys

Lurkynat

I'm on a Mission

Grains of Sand

From my front porch

Starting Over previously I'm a Survivor

I was trying to find blogs that I didn't think received the award yet, but if you already did, then you must've deserved it again... = )

Now, pass it on.

Joann

Posting a new entry, mainly, to see if the comments problem still exists!! So I MAY delete this to try something else.

Anyway, just wanted to let you know that we are safe and sound, the fire near us, I BELIEVE is under control now.

Hope you are all doing well, and enjoying your cool weather, can you send some over to me please.... we're still in the 90's here.

thanks,
Joann

The Yorba Linda fire is now into Diamond Bar.

Diamond Bar, California is less than 10 minutes away from me... you can read here about the fires at the link provided. I believe there are pics too.

We are safe, here, but the smell of fire is strong and the air quality is so bad that most of the city was pretty quiet today, because most people are staying indoors. I did see some people walking around with those little paper masks over their nose and mouth. The air is gray and thick.

The firefighters are doing all they can to keep the fires away from homes, and when they lose some, it's personal for them... they are really working hard, and they are exhausted!!

My eyes and lungs are burning just a bit way over here, but I feel it... I can only imagine how they feel!!

Please say a prayer for them, they are working so hard for us!!

Google is getting just as bad as AOL.... AGAIN you can't leave comments, so sorry. Nothing I do in customizing the comment box is working... Grrrr!!!! Well, no worries, just say prayers for the firefighters, that's all I'm asking right now.

Thanks,
Joann

California Fires... again!!

OK, THIS time the fires are a little closer to me... I mean, we're not in any danger, but we sure can smell it, it's smokey outside, the layer of smoke is really visible, and I'll probably have ashes on my car in the morning if the direction of the wind changes. Earlier in the day, when the fire started, we were close enough to see 'orange' smoke over the ridge.... the fires in Yorba Linda and in Brea are the ones closest to me, and I watched them spread very quickly this morning!!

I'll have to pick up an inhaler for Chris tomorrow (he has asthma), just in case the smoke affects him. Of course, we waited until the last minute to replace emergency ones, because he hasn't needed them in SO long... but he has a nebulizer machine if need be, and a hospital right up the street... LOL!!

My prayers are with those who've lost homes and businesses there, there were quite a few this time.

There were at least 5 fires raging this afternoon, possibly more.... keep the victims in your prayers, please!!

Thanks, have a great Sunday!!
Joann

Short work week ahead

Well, my long weekend is over, but I won't be glum, I only have a 3-day work week ahead, so I'm happy.

I did NOT get the things done that I'd hoped this weekend, but it's ok, it'll all get done eventually.

I got a little online Christmas shopping done, and I'm hoping to be ALL done with that before Thanksgiving weekend, so I can go away and relax, guilt-free!! LOL!! I'm heading to a local mountain cabin with some girlfriends for that weekend... Chris will be on his own!! He never minds staying home alone, though!! What 18 year old boy would, right??!?! LOL!!

Yesterday, on the way to my mom's house, I saw an elderly man walking across a busy intersection. He was having trouble getting through the long crosswalks in a hurry for traffic, so I pulled over and met him once he got to the corner, and asked him if he wanted a ride... he was carrying about 4 grocery bags, and I figured he wasn't near any houses, so he probably still had a ways to walk (he was actually just walking to the bus stop).

He accepted the ride, he said that he would have had to take two buses to get home if I hadn't come along, and he thought it would be a great surprise for his wife that he'd be home so early, and get to see her before she left for work. What a sweet man!! We talked on the way to his house, which really wasn't too far in a car, and he told me that he was 81, and that his wife was a few years older than him, but she still worked!!!

When we got to his house, he wanted me to come in and meet his wife. What an amazing woman!! She was smartly dressed for work, honestly, the lady looked beautiful. She was a bit frail, but she dressed herself in a beautiful gray tweed pair of pants, a soft white blouse, and even a gray silk scarf to match!!! She had on earrings, just a little make-up, and her hair was done up... MAN, I want to look like HER when I'm her age!!!

Apparently, their sons live far enough away to not be able to help them get groceries and such... so we exchanged phone numbers and I told them that I'd be in touch again. It's such a good feeling to be able to help someone... I'm glad that I was lead to them.

Have a wonderful week, everyone!!

Joann

Comment Responses & 6 things about me

I am enjoying the most BEAUTIFUL BLUSTERY day we've had in a LONG time!!!

I want to first say that I don't know how to respond to the comments left here, except to e-mail you... and that could take forever!! So here's my responses to the comments on my last post:

Sugar: Thanks for letting me know I'm NOT the only one totally lost here... there ARE others. And I LOVE the song we BOTH have on our playlist.

Estela & Traci: Was thinking of you both when I put my playlist at the top of the page... = )

Lynne: I AM blessed, thank you. And I think your blogs are beautiful!!

Friedmsw: Thanks so much for the compliment.. you're wonderful!!

Gem: Thanks for stopping by and for your wonderful words of encouragement!

Missy: Thanks for tagging me, I FINALLY thought of 6 things... that posts is below!

JosephAnn: Thank you!

Jimmie: Thanks, Jimmie... I love the songs on your playlist too, especially, have always loved Europa!!

Linda: Welcome Home!! Thanks for the beautiful Card!!

Lisita: I finally had my son put my playlist on for me, he did it so fast, I didn't see how he did it.... but if he can help you, let me know.

*************************************************

Now for the 6 things about me (tagged by Missy)


1) I hate shopping (at the mall), football, and hip hop!!

2) I love yard sales, windy days, and football pools!! LOL!!!

3) I hate to paint, I have to paint a couple of rooms in my mom's house and I'd really rather just hire someone to do it, but don't have time, because the cabinet installers with be here this week.

4) I gave up COFFEE, one of my favorite drinks in the whole world, because Jesus told me to!!

5) I almost NEVER follow a recipe... it's VERY RARE that I do. I'll usually glance at the ingredients and decide for myself what I'll actually put into it. And I'll almost never go to the store for something I don't have for it, I'll make do with whatever I have, often substituting ingredients... LOL!! It usually works out just fine!!

6) (thinking... thinking... still thinking) I am on a FOUR day weekend... I'm off tomorrow and Tuesday!! LOL!!! HOWEVER, I'll most likely be PAINTING... UGH!!

Love you all,
Joann

OK, Thanks to Beth and my son for helping get my playlist onto my blog!! I'm sure I'll be changing the songs from time to time. I put the playlist at the top, so that you can easily stop the music if you don't want to hear it, I know not EVERYONE wants to hear MY music... = )

I still think my blog needs work, it's too plain, but I can't figure out how to get ANYTHING across the top of the blog.... you guys are getting bored with me, huh?!?! LOL!!

Well, I hope you all have a wonderful week ahead, with beautiful weather, and lots of leftovers from Halloween... LOL!!!

Joann

I need help again....

Can anyone tell me how to put a playlist on my blog?!?! I got my playlist together, but can't get the correct code to put it on my blog. I love checking out everyone's playlist and decided I'd like to have one too... I hope I can do it!! I really don't know WHAT I'd do without you all!!

And thanks to Ma, and all the others who offered a link to Dad's Tomatoe Garden Journal.

Thanks,
Joann

Does anyone have Dad's journal link?? Dad's Tomatoe Garden???

Can you please e-mail me or leave it in a comment??

Thanks,
Joann

My Halloween

I'm just so excited about learning new things here, that I wanted to post another entry... LOL!!! I have the journals that I'm following listed, if yours isn't there, please let me know.

I really didn't do anything for Halloween, I dressed in the 80's for work. But at night, I worked the football game, which was homecoming so not too many showed up because it was Halloween!!! DUH!! Oh well!!

My son went to a party with friends, and is going to another one tonight. He was/is a vampire, (Lost Boys type of vampire). He bought these really cool fangs that mold onto your teeth so they look real.

Today the weather is BEAUTIFUL!! It's gray and raining... WOO HOO!!! NOW I KNOW summer is over... LOL!!!

I have new neighbors, not the most considerate people in the world, hopefully things will get better. There are parking problems, noise problems (at 3:00 a.m.), UGH!!

Hope you all have a wonderful Saturday evening, and a great Sunday!!

Joann

I revamped my blogspot a bit!! Let me know what you think... I went in looking for the pretty little ribbons I've seen on some journals, but saw the lighthouse and fell in LOVE with it. I resized the font, is it too big?! I couldn't find where to change the color of the blog description font, but I'm sure I will in time.

Thanks to Ken (Bucko) who led me to the place where I could make these changes, I had been there before, but guess I didn't scroll down far enough or something, who knows?! It doesn't take too much to confuse me.

And thanks to Beth for helping me change the font size on the individual posts. That was helpful, too.

One day, I'll understand all this stuff, it took me awhile with the AOL journal too, but I'll get by with a little help from my friends.

Thanks,
Joann

Although my old e-mail is still good, you can also find me at PreciousOne77@hotmail.com which I'll eventually be using more often, now that AOL is slowly kicking us out.

I'm thinking that maybe AOL won't be around too much longer. Now they're getting rid of AOL Pictures. So save your pics onto photobucket or whatever other program you use.

Joann

YES, I CAN!!!!!

One thing I've looked for and haven't found here, is how to make the font bigger. I'd like everyone to read my blog comfortably without eyestrain... LOL!! Besides bigger is just better, it's expressive, like me!! = )

Well, I'm in my 12th day of the 14-day Phase 1 of the South Beach eating plan. I've done very well, have lost 10 pounds at last check (yesterday morning). And am very encouraged to go on to Phase 2, to keep the control I've gained over my snacking.

One change I will make though, is sugar. I know that's the main key here, but I really am not convinced that any of the artificial sweeteners out there are good for you. So I will continue to have sugar free gelatin snacks (and SF pudding snacks in phase 2) but I will allow myself a very small amount of sugar when I absolutely must (i.e., in coffee - I love the flavored creamers, but not the artificially sweetened ones.), however I am very determined to opt for NO sugar at all in most things. I think I've learned to do ok without any sweetener at all.

Phase 2 allows fruit, so I'm sure that I can substitute an apple or some melon for that fantastic looking chocolate cake someone will SURELY take into work next week, and that will take care of the sweet for me. I CAN BE STRONG!!

Phase 2 is designed to keep me on track until I reach my goal weight, which I think is quite possible, now... if I start falling again, I will start the 14 days of Phase 1 again, to gain the control.

I'm pretty comfortable that this is the plan that will work for me, because sugar is my weakness.... I do eat well, I mean, my main meals are healthful foods. I don't eat fried foods normally, and I don't put salad dressing on my salads, and I never use gravies, thick sauces, or sweets on my food.

It's the snacking and junk food that cause me grief. If I could just stay strong enough to ignore all the goodies around me like I have the last two weeks, I'd be ok... and I CAN!!

I HAVE to have that control... Have to just say NO!! Phase 1 of South Beach has helped me with that these past two weeks, and (say prayers that) I'll be just as successful on Phase 2 which is for an unspecified amount of time.... but it's ok, I CAN DO THIS!!!

I know the holidays will be harder, but I CAN DO IT!!

Today, I met a friend for and early morning walk and breakfast, I did very well.

This evening I'm going to a friend's birthday party... I know I'll have a glass of wine, but not sure what will be served yet, but I will stay in control... because I CAN!!!

Tomorrow, I'm going to a Tea, but I will fill up on soup, salad, and quiche (without the crust), and leave the goodies alone.... because I CAN!!!

Thanks for all the encouragement I've been getting from you... and know that YOU CAN TOO!!!!

Joann

Right on track!!

I'm really trying to get around to some blogs, if I haven't made it to yours in the next few days, send me a link, please!?? I may have lost it.

I'm doing very well on South Beach, I'm finishing up my 7th day today!! I haven't cheated ONCE, not ONCE... although, I HAVE forgotten a few times... the first night (Monday) I drank a cup of Kool-Aid that my son made and served me, I downed it without thinking. Then Friday at the football game, someone gave me a bite sized 3 musketeers, so I opened it and took ONE bite and swallowed it before it clicked (actually someone reminded me)... I threw the rest away. I also went to a mexican restaurant over this past weekend in San Diego, THAT WAS HARD!!!! The ladies hand make the tortillas right in front of you... BUT I did NOT even taste one, however, I was SO focused on that and what I was going to order, that I instictively grabbed a chip loaded it with salsa and threw it in my mouth without thinking... oh well... it was the only one that got into my mouth... my order: a Chicken fajita salad... it's exactly what it sounds like... chicken fajitas, grilled onion, bell peppers, and mushrooms, thrown onto a bed of lettuce... it was really pretty good, too!! I WAS thinking for a short minute to share a margarita with a friend, but didn't. I did however, have a glass of wine later that evening.... darn, I guess I DID cheat... that one was totally intentional!! Well, it's the only time the whole week.

This past week was sure not easy... at work, people brought in a total of FOUR pies; a tub of cookies; bagels; muffins and danishes; and brownies!! Can you believe that... that's just ONE week!! NO WONDER it's so hard for me to lose!!

This week will be better, and after this week, I will have completed phase 1 of the South Beach eating plan... and on to phase 2.

However, I have to say life is very BLAND right now... NOTHING to look forward to... LOL!!!

Take Care,and Have a great week!!

Joann

I'll be back!!

Hey all, sorry I haven't been around much, but don't give up on me... I'll be back soon!! I miss reading all your journals... hope to catch up real soon. Lots going on... working two jobs again (seasonal), and getting my mom's kitchen remodeled, and trying to keep spirits up for an elderly friend whose getting put into a convalescent home... very sad!! Wish I could take him in.

We were away this weekend house and dog sitting.... we love dogs.

Anyway, don't think I mentioned that my mom was ripped off from the first person she got to remodel her kitchen... the pig took off with her $$, we're suing of course, but had trouble finding him... THINK WE HAVE, NOW, THOUGH!!! WOO HOO!! Wish us luck!! Now, it's not just small claims though, we're pressing CRIMINAL charges, as he INTENDED to rip her off with all the fake info he gave us!! It's a really long story, but it'll all turn out ok.

See you soon,

Joann

I met LINDA, today!!!!

Linda and I spent a nice afternoon talking over an In-N-Out burger and a nice breeze.

I got to know alot more about who this beautiful lady is!! I also got to meet Bob and his daughter, very nice people, too. I have pics to share, but don't know how to do that here yet and the 'other place' isn't cooperating.

The first thing I noticed about Linda is her friendly smile... she's very warm, and we talked comfortably about our lives, past and present.

I think I forgot to tell Linda how beautiful both hers and Bob's eyes were.... eyes are not usually among the first things I notice, but it's hard NOT to see that they both have very nice smiling blue eyes.

I look forward to meeting her again soon... maybe after her cruise.

Joann

I'm still having a REAL hard time.... I know, it's pretty simple... but I'm not used to it yet, I can not even find my new e-mail box to read my e-mail.... LOL!!!

Anyway, I'm hoping to get to meet Linda from Washington, tomorrow.... I just spoke to her on the phone.

Well, hope you are all having a great weekend.... and if you get the chance, there's a new movie out for a very limited time at theaters called "Fireproof".... please go watch it, it's a FANTASTIC Christian movie, all engaged and married couples should watch it!!!

Joann

I THINK I DID IT!!!

OK, I'm STILL not confident this is going to work, it kinda seemed too easy to be true. I created a new e-mail, because I'm not trusting AOL a whole lot right now.... so I'll keep that one for the time being, but I also have PreciousOne77@hotmail.com

Thanks to everyone for sending me your links... I'll soon send you mine too, but I have to make sure this all works.

Joann