Live 31

Raymond and I started dating when I was 18, and he was 31. Yep, that's a 13 year difference. This guy I worked with saw us exchanging numbers and he came up to me and said "you know he's like 30 and 3 times your size, right?" Sounds like someone didn't want me to go out with him, huh? Well, I didn't have time for his jealousy and totally didn't even think anything of his comments. We didn't find out until our first date how old one another was. At first I was a little taken back, and I'm sure he needed a new pair of britches, badly. But  it's obvious what they say is true, 'age ain't nothin' but a number, baby', and we've been together ever since!

That being said, with such a huge age difference, we each had a lot to learn from one another. While I've never really had a "wild side", I will say that I was definitely in my prime of becoming an adult and experiencing pure freedom. I had a lot of growing as a person, and woman to do.

One thing that I noticed almost immediately, and has become one of the main things I love about Raymond, is the morals he has, and what he expects of a woman, of his woman. Not as in "woman prepare my dinner", but as in "woman respect yourself enough to make others want what we have." I love this quality about him because it let's me know that he respects me as a person, his girlfriend, and expects me to do the same of myself. To be honest, I never really cared what anyone thought about me. I live the way I want to live and that's that. Nobody's opinion of me is going to alter that. Of course, I still slightly believe this, but now, I live with my head held high and my morals even higher.

I do believe that people can change other people and after living/being with/around someone for an amount of time, you start to believe in the things they believe, or else you probably wouldn't get along very well. While I wont say that Raymond has changed me completely, he has definitely taught me and changed me in ways that I am thankful for. And I hope that I am and will always be a woman he is proud to call his.

The point of me telling you all of this, is because the other day I was reading Ruthie's blog and she had done a post on being a Proverbs 31 Woman, which you can check out here. Now, I will be the first person to tell you that I really am not religious at all. I grew up as a child knowing nothing about God other than he is some man in the sky. Haha! My parents never pushed any beliefs on me, whether it be believing in Him or not. That was left up for me to find out and explore on my own if I ever felt the need or want. I am so thankful I was brought up this way, because to me, I don't want to be persuaded by anybody's beliefs other than my own. I want the reason I believe in something to come from my own heart and my own mind rather than my parents telling me it's true 'cause their parents said so. (Not that there is anything wrong with growing up with parents teaching their kiddos that their is or isn't, I just am happy with the way I was raised.) Back to the point, after I read Ruthie's post and watched the video submitted from Live 31, I completely related to it. I felt pulled in and wanted to learn more about it.

Like I said before, I am not in any sort religious. For the past few years now I have worked on myself as a person and woman to become something I believe my family and one-day husband will be proud of. Some times I felt unsure of what was right or wrong, what was good or bad, what was proper or not, but this video has given me some extra light and ensured that I am on the right path with who I want to become in this life.

I challenge you all, believers or not, to just view the video. It really is touching, and meaningful, and could possibly help you realize who you want to become!

Oreo Pee

Sounds yummy, eh? Well, it is... I promise. Just pay attention, mmk?

I really do have the yummiest tastiest deliciousnessiest (say whaa?) recipe for you guys. I found this recipe somewhere online years ago when I was a teenager and it has become a holiday staple with my family. If there is no oreopee, Thanksgiving/Christmas is ruined (not really but close enough).

Before I give you all the key to gates of Heaven, you must know that this stuff is not really called oreopee. The real name is Oreo Pie, and throughout the years, it has somehow conformed into pee. Why? Because my family is really mature. Duh.

Now, enough with all the talking, let's get to the point:

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Oreo Pie

(Adapted from somewhere on this website many moons ago)

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Chill Time: 2 hours

Yeilds: 10-12 servings (5 servings in my family, no joke)

Ingredients:

• Box of brownie mix (& ingredients listed on box)
• Box of JELLO oreo pudding mix (& ingredients listed on box)
• 18 oz. tub Cool Whip
• Oreo Cookies (as few or as many as you want)

Directions

Prepare and bake brownies as directed on package. Cool completely. Scoop out center of brownie with spoon, leaving a 1-inch crust around the edges and a thin layer of brownie on the bottom. SAVE the removed brownie pieces. Prepare pudding mix as directed on package. Stir in almost 3/4 of Cool Whip and almost all remaining brownie pieces. Spoon mixture into brownie crust; top with remaining Cool Whip, brownie pieces and crumbled Oreo cookies. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Store leftover dessert in refrigerator.

Enjoy, and try not to eat the entire pan in one sitting. Not like I've ever done that or anything, it's just some advice.

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Mop Head

This crap sucks.

I'm all about using as many "natural" products as possible, when and if they are in my budget. I used to use Tresemme brand for the longest time, until I came across Pantene's Naturals line. Now that stuff works great, and I absolutely love the scent. Well, last time I was at the grocery store, I came across that stuff up there ^^ and it is much cheaper than Pantene. Being a frugal Franny like I am, I was thrilled.

Raymond used it before me and the next morning he woke up with what he calls dandruff. Now, I'm no expert or anything, but I've never heard of someone developing dandruff from a moisturizing shampoo. Maybe that is how it happens? Either way, I chalked it up to the change in weather and said he's a looney toon.

I used the stuff for the first time the other morning. My thoughts:

- Oh this smells goooooood!

- Crap I didn't use enough conditioner

- Dang, still not enough conditioner

- Okay, for real? Third time trying to detangle this mane

- I give up, I'll just comb it out

***HAIR DRIES***

- Dang I need to wash my hair

- Wait, I washed it this morning, didn't I?

- Did I rinse out the conditioner?

- Yeah, 4 times

- This crap sucks

I ended up using a pound of conditioner and then it left my head looking like a wet greasy mop. Stupid.

Do you use any natural products? What kind?

Don't Be Yourself

With the New Year quickly approaching (seriously, where did 2011 go?), I figured it's time I start thinking about all of the resolutions that I will break within .257 minutes of the clock striking 12. Hey, at least I can say I tried, right?

I feel like every year I make a list of crap that I know I'll never do. I write things down that I know I won't ever want to do, just for the sake of feeling like I'm changing myself for the better. Well, not this year. I am who I am and my low standards of myself aren't gonna change, dangit! With that being said, here is my amazing list:

- SAVE money
- Pay off every cent of debt
- Make enough dough in my skin care business to support myself
- Stop cursing & speak more like a lady
- Go on a vacation (like a real one, with planes and stuff)
- Run more, maybe possibly even a race?

I think that's it? For now, at least. The first 3 are really more of a "has to happen" sort of thing, since the boys will be going to school in August. So yeah, there goes my income. No biggie, I'll just have my sugar daddy Raymond support me.

 

What are your New Year's Resolutions??

All the other kids...

...with the pumped up kicks, better run, better run..

Okay, sorry. I absolutely loathe that song but ever since I bought new running shoes this afternoon, I can't stop singing it. Ugh.

For the last 6 months I have been on a major excersize kick and find myself waking up at 6:30am M-F to head to the gym. I got sick about a month ago and decided it would be in my best interest to take a few days off. Well, those few days turned into the entire week. That week then turned into only going 2 times a week. And last week, I didn't go a single day. I lost my motivation somewhere and am searching rather profusely to find it.

I've been a mad woman when it comes to searching the web (aka pinterest) to find some new workouts. If anybody has any awesome workouts, please share!

I also think I found a little motivation when I bought my new shoes today. In the past year I've become totally frugal and find it really hard to spend money on myself, even when I really need something. Luckily, Raymond I won a $50 gift card to Academy last weekend and knew exactly what it was going towards. I think when the rubber starts peeling from the bottom of the shoe, it's time to give in and get new ones.

Pretty spiffy, eh? I love Nike and have been eyeing these light-weight tennies for quite some time now. They weigh a few grams, are SO comfortable, and not to mention... they are PURPLE! I'm in love. They were originally $90, on sale for $80, and I had the gift card. Once everything was said and done, with tax I ended up paying $36 and change. I'll take that deal any day of the week! And to be honest, I'm really excited to get my toosh into the gym on Monday morning.

Moral of the story, when you're lacking motivation, go buy yourself something! Just kidding. Kind of.

Have any great workouts??

Testing 1-2.

Here we are. After a short-ish hiatus, I've decided to return to the blog world. I just couldn't stay away. I'm super excited to get started making moves! Check back soon for a real post! Woo-hoo!