Rapier's Wit

Hey there! You didn't lose me. We simply changed addresses. For more exciting adventures of Marissa, please go to the new home of MARISSOLOGY!!! We've packed up our gear and taken the goods toWordpress!

This morning came knocking early.  It was exactly 4:17 AM when my body told me to wake up.  After doing what necessitated my way-before-sunrise wakening, sleep was attempted once more. Silly me.  I should know me better than that. At precisely 4:59 AM, reluctantly throwing in the towel for more slumber, I felt around for my cozy sweater and fuzzy slipper socks.  It's astounding what super powers one possesses in the dark. Rather than sit with my coffee perusing the countless paid programming/infomercials available, I decided it was time to put fingers to keyboard and write something.  I'd thought about just slapping up the video I made and posted on youtube yesterday.  This post is really an expansion of what is touched on in the nearly 5 minute video. It's available for viewing after the text. It won't be long and the new year will have been rung in.  For some of you it'll be a fond farewell to a year that didn't deliver what you'd hoped it would....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gu1lBlR1858

As the years have gone by as a single mother, my friends and family have assured me that my son will one day recognize that it is I who've provided for him.  You see, in the past Mancub, when given a writing project at school, would wax poetic about his father ... his absentee father.  Deep down it always hurt me.  I'd do my best to disguise my envy and encouraged him to be open about his feelings. On December 15, 2010 I came home after working a grueling 12 hour day.  The 15th also happened to be the day of my first safety and quality inspection with my BIG boss and her boss. Stress so intense you could slice it with a Ginsu.  In the end, that visit turned out to be amazing, but the day still seemed forever long and never ending.  All I wanted to do after that roller coaster was chillax with my son and put my feet up. It wasn't long after arriving home and shortly after hanging up my coat that Mancub handed me a folded piece of paper.  I asked, " ...

I've expressed more than a couple of times how much eggnog anything just sets my tastebuds aflutter. However, the delightful, typically Christmastime beverage is ridiculously high in calories and fat. *whimper and whine* To the rescue! Chocolate Shakeology.  As if there needed to be more reasons why I'd marry Shakeology if it was a man, thirty days of holiday recipes for both flavors, chocolate and greenberry, was developed.  Included on the chocolate calendar (day 10 if you want me to be specific), is the recipe for Holiday Eggnog. Hellooooo noggy! Yum. Hokey shmokes, Bullwinkle. Naturally, I had to try it. Here's the recipe: 1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology 1 egg white 1/2 tsp of allspice 1 tsp rum extract  1/2 cup skim milk (I used rice milk -- it gives a richer texture and flavor) Wowsers! I admit that when I first began my love affair with Shakeology there was a fear that it would quickly become boring. But here we are 10 months later and still finding new...

When you're a single gal it's not unusual to make purchases around Christmas and declare that since you have no one to buy you gifts, you do it for yourself. Apparently I'm not alone in that frame of thinking because, statistically speaking, 1 in 4 women admit to shopping for themselves when out spending moolah on others. What did I buy? Well, I made my quarterly pilgrimage to Bath and Body Works. Buy 3 get 3 free is a great lure. Of those six items, 3 were for Mancub. So, technically, the other 3 for myself were free. Don't you feel better already about my spending?  Prior to that I'd pre-ordered a book on Amazon.  Any guesses what it might be? ::hint: look to your right:: 2011 I have sworn to myself that I will BRING IT! Tony Horton style and I'm taking my 16 year old son with me.  He and I are starting that amazing muscle confusion, 90 day program known as P90X .  To further my accountability, our journey will be chronicled right here! Every day there w...

I'm simply going to be honest with you. Until around April of 2010, I had issues. Digestive problems. Now, I know that's not very exciting to talk about, but it's the truth. I chalked it up to getting older. Little by little a list, a long one at that, was made of the foods that agreed with me and didn't bode well once consumed. Quite frankly it became a bit unnerving as I love to enjoy food. While my outlook about eating are healthier and less about feeding my emotions, I still love the flavors, textures and aroma of food. Then along comes Shakeology. All I knew at the time of first purchase, March 2010, was that I held on to the hope it would help me lose weight. It didn't phase me to inquire about ingredients. My Team Beachbody Coach John Hays informed me that it wasn't a bunch of fillers, artificial sweeteners, artificial flavors or colors. Nor does it contain its weight in sugar (like Slim-fast and a host of others on the over-the-counter market)....

I always considered myself a generally happy person. In spite of life's ups and downs, it wasn't unusual to just keep smiling knowing that a new day would dawn where new opportunities would be presented.  How I viewed myself and presumed others viewed me was slightly skewed from what was deeply felt ... by myself. Not until the last couple of months did it come to my attention that I'd been wearing a mask.  Yours truly was not happy.  Miserable might be pushing it, but needless to say, if I was me I wouldn't want my own company.  That's pretty damned sad. Little by little the layers of yuck have peeled away as the inches of flubber have also been shed.  Without a doubt my weight was allowing me to hide; to be buried.  That's not to say every person who is overweight is congruently unhappy.  My weight was an excuse for not pursuing romance or even attention from the opposite sex. Zoinks! A revelation, it is. Last week something extraordinary occ...

"Things will go wrong at times. You can't always control your attitude, approach, and response. Your options are to complain or to look ahead and figure out how to make the situation better" — Tony Dungy

When I first started recording video to post on this blog I used a webcam.  A cheap one at that. The resolution was awful. In a moment my rosy complexion would turn Yoda green.  Then, I bought a digital camera that also had video capabilities. Unfortunately, natural lighting is required as the flash isn't steady when filming.  Recently, I adopted a Droid.  Sure, I could read the manual from cover to cover and watch the handy dvd that came with it, but why do that when I can sit for hours tinkering with it and getting utterly frustrated. Only at that moment do I consult the manual... or the 22 year old who works for me.  The Droid has a cam-corder app.  Seeing that thrilled me to pieces! Plus, there's lighting! The quality isn't too bad once I figured out how to adjust brightness. Prior to that my face was so illuminated that my nose literally vanished off my face.  Trust me, with my honker that is no small feat.  The problem arose when I tried pos...

Lady Jane -- You will be missed This is dedicated to Maureen, Michael, Justin, Kris, Alisa, Kailey, Andrew and Ryan: Rainbow Bridge Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begi...

All credit given to the above website. Thank you! 2010 is quickly coming to an end.  While holiday parties are still in full swing and gorging yourself is likely part of the festivities, I want you to be a forward thinker. Think ahead to your waistband sinking deeper into your middle.  Consider the buttons on your shirts crying out for mercy.  No one is shrinking your clothes, buttercup. It's time to Decide. Commit. Succeed. Who is going to get you there? YOU! Invite me to be part of your journey whether it is to get leaner or lose 100+ pounds.  I recently did the Shakeology 3-day Cleanse and lost EIGHT POUNDS!. It's gentle (no, you won't be pooping your pants when you sneeze or laugh really hard.) What this cleanse will do is prepare your body for healthier eating and exercise through detoxing yourself of all the buttery cookies, bacon wrapped everything and alcohol consumption it has been subjected to between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve.

Mom at a Barbershop Choir convention My mother is no longer walking amongst in the land of the living.  At age 51, June, 1981 she left us after a battle with cancer. I miss her just as much today as I did then. Probably even more since the anger has departed and now all I have are precious memories of the woman who birthed 8 children and longed for more. However, my birth wasn't the easiest and she made me her caboose.  It's best described as ending with perfection. Smile. Today I wanted to share with you a story of eggnog.  Many people don't care for its texture or flavor. As for me, gimme, gimme, gimme! Let's not trouble ourselves the high fat and calorie content as you walk with me on the path of joyful memories. Please to enjoy, Mama's Christmas Eggnog Ever since I can remember I have loved eggnog. While passing Fannie May Candies I eyed a sign in the window advertising their new item: Cheesecake. Like Homer Simpson spying a donut I muttered, "mmmm...

This card inspired an idea that has always been stumbling around in the back of my mind each year holiday gift giving season rolls around.  I'm a grown up with a big girl job.  If there is something I want, I buy it.  For several years I have not participated in the gift exchange at work. This act has led people to call me a Grinch.  My actions, or lack there of, have nothing to do with my lack of Christmas spirit.  My heart is full of giving and light all year long but especially during this time of  year.  Rather than buying friends and family items that will likely end up on a shelf collecting dust or re-gifted at their work white elephant exchange, my money goes toward donations to less fortunate people.  In years past, I have been a recipient of such gifts that made giving my son a Christmas possible.  Out of the blue I was showered with generosity.  Pay it forward. When this card was posted on my Facebook wall along with the ...

As part of a promise to myself and coaching through Beachbody, I partake in daily personal development.  It might be viewing a Joel Osteen clip on youtube, reading The Slight Edge by Jeff Olsen or, more recently, listening to a Dr. Wayne Dyer audio book to and from work in my car. Now, this may not be something any one of you reading this finds interesting.  Some of you may think my choice of authors/orators is bumpkiss and foolishness.  But guess what? I take away with it what is useful to me toward improving myself inside -- the outside will follow suit as I continue on the path of having a love affair with moi. There is one particular passage that has stuck with me as I listened to Wayne Dyer discuss what it is that makes him do what he does in his lectures and seminars.  What persuades him unknowingly to take on projects.  Motivation is an external force while inspiration is an internal force. Motivation is focusing on the external – a goal, an outcome...

LensCrafters Friends and Family Sale Say what!? I've been an associate of Lenscrafters for 14 years. I'm proudly part of the company that made ONE HOUR eyewear a possibility. Even more exciting is that I'm the lab manager at my location. Wave at me and my colleagues as you walk through the mall!  Former clients, we urge you to come back and see what's new. Click the link above and print out the valuable coupon.  Use it between December 12-15. Stop by or call in advance to set up an eye exam. Plan ahead and bring in the family for great savings at America's leading eye care company. Let Lenscrafters be your " trusted partner in helping you to see and look your best. That is what we do, and that's all we do ."

The shelves of Wal-Mart, as I entered the store, were lined with one of the most disgusting canned items known to man (besides peas -- am I right, Angie Bailey?) Yams.  Candied yams to be more precise. First, let me say I question the validity of said claims that the item sloshing around in heavy syrup is, indeed, a yam. Hey! Look at the photo. Underneath the word YAM is the truth. Yams and sweet potatoes are not one in the same.  This product is a mushy, detestable glurp in a can. It was a staple side dish at all the Thanksgivings at casa Rapier. Dump the can of candied yams into a casserole dish; cover with a pound of mini marshmallows and bake until golden brown. Yuck! I suppose it comes from the era when it was all a parent could do to get a kid to eat a vegetable so they'd slather it with cheese food or enough sugar to kill and entire nation (and it is) to make it palatable. You may as well give a kid a king size Hershey bar and call it a veggie. It wasn't until I mov...

Normally, I just read my horoscopes and get a chuckle.  But the past couple have given me exactly what I need to hear.  Quite honestly, deep down I am just a hippie chick who believes the cosmos-really-knows-me-best and delivers it if I keep my eyes open and my mind even opener . Just go with me on this and my mutilation of grammar. Leo (Jul 23 - Aug 22) Your day can be mixed with contradictions because you may intuitively sense that you're on the edge of something big ... and although it's exciting to think that there are no limits to your far-reaching ideas now, you might have to face an unexpected obstacle. A seemingly insignificant social event can set you in a direction that is very advantageous to your career. Combining business with pleasure isn't always a wise idea, but today it may be just what the doctor ordered for your success.

Check out this horoscope!  I can dig it. Yes, please and thank you! Give me a double helping. You are stepping into a fun-filled phase when your life lightens and you want to express yourself in a more playful manner. Even if it's challenging to find everything you're seeking, you are still more willing to move forward with anticipation now, rather than shut down in fear. It's certainly more pleasurable to be with someone you like than spending your time alone wishing for company.

Listen, my brain is a cavalcade of mish-mash lately.  Bear with me as I try to regain my ability to write cohesively (if that is ever possible with me) and form a decent  blog post.  In the meantime, this handy Facebook tag-a-long will be quite useful.  Thank you to my friend Angie Bailey of Catladyland for bestowing this upon me.  It came in the nick of time -- that's what friends are for! These rules apply if you're going to do this on Facebook. I'm not changing things up for the sake of the blog . To do this, go to “notes” under tabs on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your title as "Getting to know each other!", tag 25 people including me (tagging is done in the right hand corner of the app) then click publish. 1. What time did you get up this morning? 5:36  2. How do you like your steak? Rare -- meaning, I rarely eat red meat. It's nothing personal against cows nor is it a moral statement. My bo...

Here I am noshing on a Honeycrisp apple. If you've never eaten one then you're truly missing out on one of nature's most delightful snacks. But that is not what this post is about.  Nope. I just wanted to explain the reason my keyboard is sticky -- an excuse for my typos, by the way. I worked all day and it wasn't until around 4:30 that I was struck with a serious case of the yawns.  My sleepiness can be blamed on staying up later than my usual 10:30 PM bedtime.  I know! Outrageous party animal am I!  It was around 12:30 AM when my phone was going dead for the second time. Obviously the cosmic gods were telling me to go to bed. You see, Saturday night brought some serious catch up with the best friend I've never met.  My house phone battery went belly up -- yes, I'm a weirdo with a land line. Immediately after that I grabbed my cell which had been charging.  I knew my Blondie gal in Cali and I had babbled and laughed for a few hours.  It wasn't unti...

I realize that nothing has been posted here since November 16. Five days! In blog days that's like a months.  Sorry. I've been preoccupied with work.  Not to mention there really isn't anything interesting or amusing taking place in the House of 'Riss. I'm working out regularly.  Oh yeah, that's not news.  I paid a visit to Kankakee Natural Foods . It is not nearly as vast as Whole Foods that all my friends seem to be enamored with, but it's a nice little store with all the essentials. It'll be a cold day before this community sees the likes of Whole Foods, me thinks. Wal-Mart is simply no place to find the best in natural or organic foods.  That's not to say I'm a health freak/warrior.  But variety of tofu is not readily available at the mega-mart.  Nor is coconut nectar, coconut juice etc... Now that you've come to my blog aren't you happy I haven't been blogging lately? Seriously, could I be more boring?  When my day off final...

You've seen it. You want it. Don't put it off! Commit and get 25% off retail price. Summer weddings? Graduation? Bikini weather?  It will all be here before you know it.  Do you see your pharmacist as much as you see your kids? Maybe it's time to take control of your health care. Let's do this thing together! It's FREE until the end of 2010.

Ladies, let's face it! Being a woman is difficult in the realm of ... well, nearly everything when compared to men. That's particularly true when it comes to losing weight.  Difficulty goes up when you're a female over 40. Now I'm over 45 (just turned in August) and I read articles about the collection of belly blubber thanks to my ever decreasing estrogen levels.  Seriously, hormones can just suck it!! Hey, at least my libido is decreasing, right? With no applicable suitors hot on my tail, I guess that's a perk. Another downside of trying to lose a lot of weight at my age is that ye olde metabolism is ridiculously slow. Imagine Barney Fife trying to push a stalled Amtrak uphill while wearing stilettos. In the snow. Yes, it's laughable! Working out is my best defense partnered with eating right. It's ever apparent that, unlike my early to mid twenties, that doing 45 minutes of high impact aerobics four times a week and eating 'as usual' will not ...

Kitty cats and video games.  The two things that my son loves. Our cats only give me attention when he's not around. Otherwise, they snub me for his attention.  I don't know what it is, seriously.  They dash away from me and run under beds.  Yet, with Mancub, they willfully go to him.  Silver is especially skittish with me. There's no chance of me holding her in my arms.  She becomes this spastic, skin shredding psycho.  With Mancub she's docile.  She anxiously awaits him each morning.  Every night after he showers she paces for him to emerge. Then, she races to the couch, meows as if commanding him to sit down so she can hop up on him and snuggle.  What really gets to me is the smug look she gives me as she cozies up to Mancub. After posting a few photos of my son with his furry companions, my friend and fellow blogger Angie Bailey asked if Mancub would like to be part of a regular feature on her blog Catladyland : Men Who Love Cats ....

The title of this post is nearly longer than the actual post itself.  When my friend Clark Brooks asked me to guest blog for him earlier this month I thought there was no possible way I could possibly fill in for him.  Clark is unique in his writing style.  That is intended as a form of flattery.  His ability to take what one might consider a mundane observation and turn it into an entire blog entry leaves me awe stricken.  Without a thought of what I'd write about, I sat here at my eight or more year old Dell computer handed down to me by the sister of a good friend when she got all fancy shmancy by upgrading to a Mac.  What transpired is pure gold.  It's as if the spirit of F. Scott Fitzgerald overcame me and my deep seated mental issues became my muse.  Please, go to Clark's blog, aptly titled, Ridiculously Inconsistent Trickle of Consciousness and read my entry.  But do not stop there. Peruse his other mindless ... err, well thought out...

I am that girl who wells up with tears each time our National Anthem, The Star Spangled Banner , is played. While I prefer it being sung clearly and as written without vocal acrobatics, it's the sentiment and what it represents that brings forth a great sense of pride and humility.  There is no possible way my simple words can ever exhibit how grateful I am for those who've served in our great military and forged ahead regardless of the circumstances that lay before them. They've given without thought to self.  They've sacrificed greatly for our freedom.   All I can offer is THANK YOU. 

This is it! Once again this girl is on her way to improved health and fitness!! Aren't you just thrilled for me? I could use some back up to hold me accountable through the holidays.  The tab labeled "join my team" is calling out to you. Anyway, back in the swing of things with my workouts. On Team Beachbody there's a schedule for the workout program that I am using --  TURBO FIRE.  When I log into the WOWY Supergym, it tells me which dvd to use.  The rest is up to me.  Plus, each time I log into WOWY I'm entered for a chance to win cash or prizes.  No longer am I doggin' it and taking the easy way out.  My mind tells me I can jump and tuck so my feet and legs do it. Kind of. I mean, I'm not four feet off the ground with my knees under my chin, but I DO leave the ground. Today is the renewal of eating well.  That is harder than a marathon series of sumo burpees.  Focus is my champion right now.  To further motivate me I'm turning t...

It's rather cliche' to say that I'm a work in progress.  Aren't we all? Sure, yours truly needs a lot more work than the average gal.  At least when I look in the mirror that is the resounding affirmation.  It's not my appearance, though that is part of it.  It's what goes on beneath my thinning mix of gray and brown locks.  The other day I posed a question on my Facebook wall about online dating site. So, who out there has found a decent human being to date through an online dating service? My curiosity is for .. uh, research. Yeah, that's it. If you're a long time reader of this blog then you know of the dating woes I've experienced at the hand of Match.com and eHarmony, as well as, meeting men the traditional way.  What came of that question in the thread was an unraveling of Marissa.  What was even more surprising (to me) was an outpouring of compassion, reassurance and thoughtfulness.  What I learned is that I don't see in myself what o...

The other night I awoke from a dream.  It wasn't like any other dream that disturbed my slumber.  Awaking wasn't due to something shocking or upsetting.  However, it was rather curious.  For the past couple of days I've been thinking about it.  Seeking consult from websites that give hidden meaning to the symbols in dreams left me with few answers.  That is why I'm writing about it.  I'm hoping someone reading this will give me some insight. It's not uncommon for a parent to dream of protecting her child.  In my dream, Mancub is in tow at his current age and size.  I'm leading him as we venture through snowy terrain -- a mountain.  Along this journey we encounter treacherous caverns that are wide, but we will never make our destination (unknown at this time) if we don't leap over them.  The one in particular that I remember was daunting.  I look down and see nothing but darkness.  But my stride is long and I make it acro...

It was a rule in the household that no one -- at least the girls -- was allowed to date before turning sixteen.  Oh sure, of the five girls in our family I know at least one caused an uproar to change that law. Another may have dated but did so quietly under parental radar.  As for me, I usually adhered to rules rather than cause a ruckus or question authority.  Being the youngest afforded me many lessons learned by proxy. As a youngin' I always had friends who were male.  That's not an uncommon situation.  Once in junior high school boys became less appealing for friendship and moreso for 'going with'.  Naturally, the family rule of 16 kept me from openly pursuing a boy to date.  I developed crushes.  These would be big crushes on boys who possibly didn't know I was alive let alone like me in return.  But, I'd spend each morning primping in hopes that I'd catch the object of my affections glance.  Even if effective it would have been...

Everyone knows that when you are on a quest for improved health and, more specifically weight loss, you must reduce or totally eliminate empty calories.  Alcohol is a ginormous cavern of pointless consumption in regards to fueling the body.  On a side note, if you have not given up the booze, even a couple drinks a week, that could be stunting your endeavors to see smaller numbers on the scale and waist band size. With all of that being said, I bought a candy apple red martini shaker last year when Target had their holiday merchandise marked down to nearly nothing.  I couldn't resist it.  Like a beacon it beckoned to me.  Impulse buying at its finest and the justification that it cost as little as a 2-litre bottle of Diet Coke.  Since that purchase it has resided in a cupboard.  That is until recently.  After a super intense workout like Turbo Fire, it's necessary for me to refuel and hydrate.  Beachbody offers a great product called P90X R...

For no apparent reason my mid back aches, snakes up to my head and ears; turns south and makes my belly ache just ever so slightly. I'm not getting sick. However, I am tense for reasons unbeknownst to me and I can't help but feel something is amiss. It's going to be one of those days. You know what I'm talking about. Unless you're one of those people who claims they never ever feel like crap or just get the sensation that it's going to be a struggle.  Yeah, yeah. You can save the mind over matter speech.  Today, I am not buying it.  My Rissy senses are tingling and it's not due residual feelings brought on by seeing the UPS guy bending over yesterday. That's a welcome biochemical/physiological woooo dawgy! mind and body experience.  No, this is something all together different.  Today is a day of Murphy's Law. It's going to be rough out there, kids.  I will tread lightly.  It is truly a shame I do not possess Harry Potter's invisibility ...

It is the subject of a lot of yapping on Facebook: Glee's version of the Rocky Horror Picture Show.  If you read my post yesterday (of course you did), you're aware that I was disappointed in the casting of the show within the show. I'd given the writers a break by assuming it could have been due to a sub-plot story about censorship or decency.  If you watched the program then you know imposing a safety net on my judgment was correct.  There is no denying that letting a diva-esque girl fill the platforms of Tim Curry as Dr. Frank-N-Furter was a stretch.  My son, who has never seen the original, enjoyed the vocals.  He said he could have done without the ensemble of the patent leather bustier and knee high boots.  I'm still peeved that Magenta's solo in "The Time Warp" went to Quinn (Dianna Agron) rather than the more salacious Santana (Naya Rivera). Hands down she could have given the tune the deviant edge it requires.  Milquetoast has no place in Rock...

It's my day off and I have intentions of doing very little beyond my daily work out and viewing movies on Netflix.  Dinner is being made via the Crock Pot.  Man, what a lovely invention. Thank you Rival company!! Set on low is a pork loin with red potatoes and carrots.  With a little help from low-sodium/low-fat mushroom soup and a sprinkling of various seasoning, I hope for a nutritious and delightful meal by the time GLEE comes on tonight.  It's the Halloween episode where they reinvent "Rocky Horror Picture Show."  I'm a tad hesitant due to the previews that have circulated the Internet.  Quinn as Magenta bothers me.  Her rendition of "Time Warp" is so white bread that it is oozing Hellman's Mayonnaise.  Apparently, the sultry Santana also plays Magenta. They should have left that song up to her. I know! You're gasping that I've criticized my not-so-guilty pleasure show.  My favorite program in the last decade is under fire of my own cri...

The stories you see late at night while your hand infiltrates the confines of the Cheetos bag are true.  The results are genuine.  They come from hard work and dedication.  The subjects in the success stories are accessible. The trainers are available for real time chats.  BEACHBODY is the real deal, y'all.  How do I know? I'm one of those success stories (in the making). The people you see on the dvds are my social network friends.  The coaches who support members of Team Beachbody are also my support squadron. What can I do to help you become the next Beachbody success story? Beachbody Fitness sampler video

Once again it's all about me. Here's the link for the video down yonder just in case the embed doesn't work. Sorry if it feels like you're on a bumpy road while viewing this vlog entry.  Still without a tripod, I just extend my arm out and shoot.  Hey, at least I'm not making the infamous "duck face" then entire time.

I have been working too much.  That fact became glaringly obvious yesterday evening.  It's ridiculous that my son has suffered the consequences of the shortcomings of my work place and I have to fix it.  Tuesday brought me a day off. Finally.  I'd worked 8 days straight with the majority of those days keeping me away from home due to working until closing (9 PM). Mancub and I haven't spent much quantity or quality time together.  He sees that I am stressing.  He's not a selfish boy. He's compassionate and due to that, he has spared me any additional stress. Or so he thinks that is what he's doing.  But last night all that he's bottled up came to a head and he let out how much he hates his school and the kids that inhabit it.  He's a big kid, but a gentle giant. He's easily upset by rude remarks.  They know it and pick at him.  His efforts to ignore it are often futile.  The beasts know if they keep at him he will eventually displa...

Back in June 2010 you witnessed me blubbering over my weight loss success due to P90, Turbo Jam and Shakeology.  I'm back on track and it feels good.  What's better about it is that others are inspired by me.  Take a deep breath and swallow hard -- ME? An inspiration? A motivator? How freakin' awesome is that, huh?  And those comments fuel me to work hard to reach my goal of another 60 pounds off my body. Other than being a parent to a truly amazing child, helping others reach their goals is my passion! You won't hear me say this often, but get passionate with me!! bwahahahaha *snort* Seriously, now is a perfect time for anyone who has wanted to try Shakeology or P90x, Insanity or Turbo Fire and a variety of other dynamic and effective Beachbody products, but considered the price too steep. As a coach you get a phenomenal 25% discount.  Hit me up at Team Beachbody Coach MissRiss or just email me directly at wildhair65@gmail.com .Wait! It gets even gr...