Lipstick and pigs

I LOVE, love lipstick. I always have...it's sort of my thing and you'll rarely catch me without something on lips. I'm really into Clinque, Lancome and M.A.C. colors. And if it looks like I'm not wearing a color, rest assured I'm either wearing Burt's Bee or my Kool-Aid flavored Lip Smacker!

And pigs are alright. I like bacon and pork chops. I used to really like ham, but not so much anymore.

I'm pretty stressed out. I just really hope things work out with our country. Bail-out/no bail-out? Are we headed for another Great Depression? Will I have any money left in my 401k to retire? What is with the new dollar coins? Are they really that big of a deal? Can we please elect our next president now? I'm done with our current one. I've been done for like eight years.

Apple Brandy. That's the color I'm wearing right now. I bought it when things weren't so dire...before we had a 700 billion debt to repay.

Got God?

My daughter said she wants to believe in God. This new found interest sort of came out of left field (or so I thought). She "knows" about God and religion. I've shared with her stories of my Catholic upbringing and my stance on religion and why I chose not to baptize her or her brother. She's been aware and sensitive to her best friend's belief in God, but she's never expressed a personal interest until now. She said wants to believe in God now, so she can pray for her uncle who is very sick. She said her best friend told her if she didn't believe in God, then her thoughts and prayers would not be answered. We talked a lot about the power of prayer and I told her she didn't need to direct it to one person (or God from this matter). I also had to remind her that even if she was already religious and if God was listening everyday to her, the bottom line is he is going to die. That is the terrible and tragic fact. But my super left-brained daughter wasn't having any of it. So, I asked her if she wanted me to take her to church. She said no. I asked her she wanted to speak with a priest. She said no. I asked her if she wanted me to teach her the in's and out's of what I was taught. She said no, she'd like to be Christian, not Catholic! Then I realized I was dealing with something larger. She needs something to cling to during this trying time. Something more than facts, friends or even I can offer. Religion offers "answers" and comfort when life really throws a curve ball. The unknown is just so deep and dark. Maybe she'll go to church one day. Maybe she won't. I told her when she was ready to talk about it again, I was ready to listen. Then her friend came over and they went to a football game.

Pull-ups! Finally!

Ok, I think it's official since Recreate Fitness posted a pic of me on their blog site....I finally got my first pull-up at the gym on Saturday morning! I actually did three, but I don't want to brag. This is a big deal for me. Fitness has been a strange thing with me. When I was younger I was extremely active and played sports, but when I was out of high school I sort of just stopped. And since I was "naturally" thin, I didn't really worry too much about my weight or appearance. That is until I hit 3-0. Wow, things really do catch up with you! So, I started doing yoga on a regular basis and felt great and started becoming strong and tone again. But then our yoga studio was bought and went way too corporate and I just didn't have the heart to continue. When I found myself inside a gym again, it had been two and half years since I had done any sort of fitness routine. I was a bit mushy and in my opinion about ten pounds overweight. In March of this year, I started my weekly work-outs at Recreate. I have really enjoyed the people, vibe and the work-outs are crazy. Basically, I've been sore for about six months, but on Saturday it all came together. The extra ten pounds are hanging on for dear life, but my clothes fit better, I feel better and I'm not really mushy anymore. I think I deserve a cookie or something!

Ugh

Today I want to be on a tropical island surrounded by coconut trees, sipping on a fruity (strong) drink, lounging with Nick and being showered with warmth and sunshine....and for my kids to be on a completely separate island.