The journey of friendship

In my life, I've had some good friends. Some were just like me and some were the opposite. Some came in and out without a thought, others stayed forever. This blog is dedicated to one who stayed a forever friend.

Years ago as a teenager I struggled with friendships. Well not really struggled. Let me explain. I have a twin sister so that kind of gives you a sort of built in friend. Outside of that I really never looked to have more friends. I was not a very social person. In fact, my mother tells me when I was little, people would see the "twins" and come and talk with us and I would hide behind her skirt while my sister basked in the attention. So you see having many friends was never a big deal for me. Most of our friends were really her friends and my acquaintances.

Then the teenage years hit. I still didn't long for friends but found one anyway. She actually got along better with me than she did my sister. Of course, as I later found out, we liked the same guy. In the truest sense of teenage immaturity, we took turns liking this hunk of a guy. He was younger than we were but we didn't care. It was only by a couple of years. Anyway, we formed a good friendship despite being each other's 'competition'. After awhile this guy joined our friendship and toward the end of the year he and I became an 'item'. My girlfriend and I still remained good friends throughout. After awhile however I realized that I could not continued dating (that's right I said it!) this guy. Our lives were going in two different directions. I also found that my girlfriend and I were going in different directions. We never fought over him, he was never the problem. Our priorities were just different. After high school she went one way and I went the other. My boyfriend seemed to want to take the same road as she and we broke it off. The problem now, is that I had a group of 'friends' that I had gotten comfortable with. They were people I could hang out with, be myself with. People who like me for me and not because I was a part of a pair. Boy would that change. I was soon to learn the value of true friendship.

After a meeting one night, I saw a tall (I'm only 5'4" so everyone is tall to me!) redheaded girl and her family visiting. I'm usually not the type to go and introduce myself to people. I was way too shy for that. However, I realized that both my friend and boyfriend were not going to be a part of the equation and I needed to start new, so I went up to her and introduced myself. She was nothing like me. She was bubbly, friendly, uninhibited, and LOUD!! I loved her to death from the start! She and her family were visiting Charleston on vacation. We all went out to eat that night and I got to know her and her family. The next day she invited me to the beach house where they were staying. We walked along the beach and played cards and basically set a great foundation for a great friendship. They were only there for a week and so soon Beth was gone. We kept in touch briefly. (No Internet or unlimited long distance back then!) She assured me that they come to Charleston every year so I'd see her again. Of course I figured I'd go back to my boring life and she'd go back to her exciting life and that would be that.

She came back the next summer and a few more after that. As we got older, it was easier to keep in touch since we weren't hindered by the travel plans of our parents. To this day Beth and I remain very good friends. In fact, when I met the true love of my life, she was in my wedding! She soon got married shortly afterward and her husband came down to meet us. We always joked that no matter the distance and time between us, we always managed to pick up our friendship right where we left it. It's funny really. Whenever we get together, it's like no time had been lost.

It's been years since I've talked or communicated with Beth in any way. That was until today. I got an email from her this morning. She said every morning she gets up waiting to read my blog. She says I write it like I'm talking to her. (Thanks sweetie!) I hate to write so that's a big complement to me! She said it felt like old times the way we comfortably fit back into each other's lives. She's right. I smiled and giggled so much when I got her email. I felt like we were back in Charleston and she was coming in for a visit. In an instant, I felt the connection.

My ex-boyfriend ended up marrying a dear friend of mine (I introduced them!). We vacationed together one year with our families (it wasn't as awkward as I thought it would be). They have two boys and so do we. The kids adored each other and we're still friends to this day! My girlfriend from that time... well I've not heard from her in over 18 years and don't think I ever will. That's OK though. Through that experience, I learned to make my own friends.

So now, I'll be blogging with some regularity since Beth's out there waiting to here about what I accomplish all in a day's work!

Until next time,
It's just me!

Wii Active by EA Sports

Hello everyone!!

I'm having a great morning so far. Today is one of those days when I have a ton of things to do in a short amount of time. My energy levels are usually pretty low, but lately I've been taking a fish oil supplement and a chromium picolinate supplement and have been feeling like I can take on the world!

Yesterday I bought the Wii Active game and I LOVE it! It's so much fun! I really felt like I got a real workout. I'm trying to start working out more but in the past with my energy levels being at zero, I never felt like doing it. After taking the supplements, I felt like I could take it on and after doing it just once yesterday I really feel a difference. I went to bed last night anticipating working out again this morning! I actually got up early to get it done and again, I really felt motivated through the workout. When I was finished, I felt energized. I usually don't like working out in the morning but it really does give me a sense of accomplishment for the rest of the day. I rarely spend time doing things for myself, so when I get this done first thing in the morning when no one is asking something of me, I feel like I put myself first. Otherwise as the day goes on, I get put further on the back burner.

I love the way it tells you how many calories you want to shoot to burn during a workout. So far I've always surpass mine. At the end of the workout, the trainer really compliments you and the things you did well but also on some things you may need to work on. I find that I'm having a difficult time with the running. I guess I just don't have the stamina for it. My trainer constantly encourages me to continue though, and I know that by the end of my 30 day challenge I will have built up my endurance enough to do it with ease. I also find that my knees are kind of sore after the lunges. I've never been good at doing those. I'm hoping I can work through that also. I'm not sure if they are supposed to hurt or not though.

Like the other Wii games, you can create your Mii. I wish you can put your measurements in to create a more realistic Mii. My Mii looks a lot better than I do, though I suppose they want you to visualize what you want to look like rather than what you actually look like. I'm a realist though. It would be more motivating for me to put in my measurements and then see myself shrink every week (or not) as I plug in my new measurements. Anyway, it's a really fun game and I think worth getting. This is especially so if you are new to working out. I found the intensity stimulating but I'm out of shape, so for someone who is more fit, I'm not sure how intense it would be. It does have a variety a intensities to choose from, so I'm not sure. I know if you get it from Wal-mart they'll take it back if you have a problem with it. I think it's worth a try though. Living well is all in a day's work!

Until next time,
It's just me!

Facial product review

I have to tell you about this new product I came across. It's by a company called Petal Fresh Pure Botanicals. The products I tried were the Aloe & Apricot Facial Scrub and the Aloe & Pomegranate Clay Facial Masque with Green Tea.

First of all I got both of these from Big Lots for $2.00 a piece. The store is about 30 minutes from my house so when I couldn't find what I went there for I kind of made it a consolation purchase. I had been planning to buy a scrub and masque for awhile but just never found anything I wanted to spend money on. (I did consider making some up myself.) I just picked these up and a few other stuff and went home.

So about 2 weeks go by and yesterday while washing my hair I decided to take advantage of my time in the shower to use this facial scrub and masque. (I hate doing it over the sink.) Well first of all the scrub was amazing. The granules were large enough to get the job done, but small enough to not tear my skin apart. The smell was also very nice. After rinsing, my skin felt great. Then I put on the masque.....wow! Just putting it on was like a spa experience! I was expecting it to be thick and stiff but it was thick and smooth and luxurious. I just kept rubbing it on my face. It felt sooo good! After rinsing that off and patting my skin dry, I thought I would immediately have to put some moisturizer on to keep it from getting that tight dry feeling. I didn't have that problem at all guys. I mean, my face felt like all the impurities and dirt were removed (I had just gotten through cutting grass) and my pores felt and looked smaller, but my skin felt fresh and soft. I probably could have finished my routine right there but something told me to go for the moisturizer since my skin isn't as resillient as it used to be when I was twenty. Of course, then my skin felt a little on the oily side. I have combination skin so these products did a great job of balancing my skin's needs. I would definitely give it 4.5 stars out of 5. The price made this a perfect discovery. I'm going back up to Big Lot's to see if they have anymore. I'm almost sure they don't since it's been a couple of weeks. If you guys can find it somewhere near you, run and get it quick, fast, and a hurry!

It's really nice when you can find great products at a great price all in a day's work!

Until next time,
It's just me!

Why I'm so happy!

I'm really happy because my husband finally fixed my car!! He's really quite brilliant actually. He can fix almost anything! He takes care of all of our oil changes, brake work, and just about anything else.

Once, as I came to a stoplight the car just shut off. I was terrified. The boys were little and I didn't want them out of the car but I didn't want to leave them in the car. Two men came and pushed it to the side for me so I wouldn't hinder traffic. I called my husband at work and he came right out to see what the problem was. As soon as he looked at it, he said it was the alternator. He pulled the old one off, (right there on the side of the road!)took it to the parts store and purchase another one, and then put the new one on kissed me and went back to work! MY HERO!! I don't know why that impressed me that much but it did! He was my knight in shining armor! I think it took him all of an hour and a half.

What I also like is that he knows what he can and cannot do. We have a truck that needed an engine, so he called our very best mechanic, Mr. Greene and had it priced. But since he knows alot about cars, he's also able to tell when someone is trying to get over. (That's not a problem with Mr. Greene, though. He's as honest as they come.)

My Kia just had some problems that we thought originated with the alternator, but it turned out to be the crankshaft pulley. Well Mr. Wonderful just looked up the part, had it overnighted to the house and put it on in about an hour and did it with a fever and runny nose! My sweet baby!! He's amazing, just amazing! Of course, it wore him out and he's been in bed all day. Pobrecito!

OK so I'll get off here and go make some chicken broth! For him and me...it's all in a day's work!

Until next time,
Just me!

Clinique's Black Honey Almost Lipstick Re-Review

OK, OK, OK!! I admit it. I really like Clinique's Black Honey Almost Lipstick!!



I didn't like it at first but as I tried it more with my lip liner I really got into it. It is by far a staple for me. I shouldn't have come to such a quick conclusion about it. It just took me some time. I'm not really a makeup person, so I find when I do get something new, I have to kind of play with it a little. As you saw on my previous blog, my time can get chewed up pretty easily so it's hard to find time to 'play makeup'. I've been learning alot from ladies on youtube like yasjencon, ateyaaa, sogirlgems, buildable beauty, usvi84 and many more. I also should tell you about the Even Better Makeup. I can see some changes already, though I think in the future I'll probably go for the one without color. When I wear it though I get great coverage that feels light and actually I don't feel like I have it on. When I check the mirror though, it looks almost flawless and with the lipstick it really gives me a finished, polished look. So now I have to give it 4.5 stars out of 5. (I can't give it a five, nothing is perfect!!)

It's all in a day's work to find things that work for you!!

Until next time,
It's just me!

Things I Know for Sure

It's been awhile since I've been able to blog. I did get many things on my list done. Over the past couple of months I've come to a realization of sorts which leads to the title of today's blog.

1. Everything changes. No matter how much you relish something, expect it to change.

2. Only time will tell you who people really are.

3. People are only who they really are; no matter how much you want them to be something else. Fortunately for some, #1 is a help, for others, it's a hindrance.

4. A house should only have one woman in it, unless she is a minor child. :)

5. If you don't know who you really are, there will be hundreds of people trying to dictate to you who you are.

6. What a person is or what he has, is not nearly as telling as who he is.

7. With regard to gossip, my mom would say... "If a dog will take a bone, he'll carry one." Don't forget it.

8. Contrary to popular belief, money is not power. It may be haughty , but it is not power.

9. All things are naked and openly exposed in God's sight. Nothing goes unnoticed or unhandled.

10. With regard to the above, my mom would also say, "If it doesn't come out in the wash, it'll come out in the rinse."

Well I think that will be all for Things I Know for Sure today. I'll try to make it a weekly installment. I know many of these things are well known to most people. I just wish as it relates to people I know (or thought I knew)some of it weren't true. I'm still green and think that most people mean well most of the time. I guess it's just something that you learn all in a day's work!

Until next time!
Just me