Taking a Break...

If you haven't guessed, I decided to take a break from blogging. I haven't had as much interest in blogging recently, especially since most of my family and friends are on Facebook, now. We'll see in a few weeks if I have a renewed interest in it. If you'd like to stay in touch, check out Facebook and ask me to be my friend.

Love,
Mona

Christmas was fun

Christmas with the Williams' family was a good time. James and I drove the two hours to his sister's house on Christmas day. We were immediately greeted by the large group of neices and nephews. His sister just had a baby and I spent the first several hours holding her. She is SO tiny. I'm not used to newborns and so I was quite taken by how her hands and feet are so teensy.

We then had a large meal of mashed potatoes, green-bean casserole, ham (I had chicken), and some other sides I can't remember because I was so enthralled with the mashed potatoes and green-bean casserole.

The rest of the time was spent opening gifts, going for a walk, and puzzling together the new trampoline the kids got as a gift. We finally left for home around 8:30 that night. I hope all of you had a good Christmas as well.

Holding down the fort...

Starting Wednesday, the center where I work will be closed. Until then, I am one of the very few who are sticking it out this week. Everyone else is taking PTO. We usually have close to 20 in the center. Today, I am one of four that will be here. It's 8:45 and only two of us are here so far. It's gonna be a loooong, dead last two days. After Tuesday, however, I will be off until January 5th. Yay!

Busy Week

Despite it being the final full week before the holiday break, it has been busy! I have had days full of meetings and consultations. Today I have a consultation, a meeting, a holiday party, an interview to do, then I'm off to the gym. Tomorrow has less on the calendar during the day, but I will be attending the Butler Christmas celebration that evening. Then Friday night I'll be celebrating a friend's birthday. Saturday I am going to Cincinnati. Sunday I will need to finish up my Xmas shopping.

Next week I work Monday and Tuesday....but get the rest of the time off until the 5th. I am the only one on my team going to work that week. I think only three people will be in the office! That should be interesting.

Bought a Dress for New Year's Eve

Saturday was quite girly indeed. Terralyn and I went on a shopping spree. We started at the Fashion Mall stopping off at every store that might possibly have fancy dresses (and, of course, stopped by the Godiva store for a Chocilixir Godvia shake....yum!). I think I tried on about 10 dresses while at that mall. We then went to the Castleton Mall up the street. First stop, JC Penney's. Second stop, Von Maur. It was 8:50....Von Maur closed at 9 and I had 5 dresses to try on. It was time to POWER through all the dresses. First dress....a possibility, but I wasn't excited. Second dress....hell no. Third dress....awesome! Fourth dress.....too revealing. Fifth dress....too short. Still wearing my 5th dress, I pass off dress number three to Terralyn along with my credit card. She takes the goods and runs to get in line.

The transaction was completed and I now have my fancy new dress. It's really pretty and I got it at 50% off!

Annual Physical

I recently had my annual physical. I find my health stats to be fascinating. I received mostly good news.

• I've lost 10 pounds (woohoo!!)
• My blood pressure was 110/70 (I think.....the top number I'm certain of, but I don't exactly remember the bottom number at the moment).
• My bad cholesterol (LDL) was 90 (My doctor prefers it be under 130....so I'm definitly good there).
• My triglycerides were below 100.

The only thing that is border line is my good cholesterol (HDL). Mine is currently 51, which is considered to be an acceptable level, but if it drops a few points, it will be considered low. Last year my cholesterol was 109/54....I dropped in my bad cholesterol this year, but I also dropped in the good. So, I'm going to try to eat some more fish and reduce stress to see if it improves.

Thanksgiving Desserts

James and I will be leaving for my mom's Wednesday afternoon to celebrate Thanksgiving. In addition to the three pies my mom is making (three different versions of pumpkin pie), my aunt is bringing pie, my uncle is bringing pumpkin chocolate chip bread, and I am bringing chocolate cake. Oh, yes....and there will be some turkey, too. :)