My Friends

Me and a few of my friends at a church function. We all wore colors that represented either fruits of the spirit that we were or that we wanted to be. I wore Green (gentleness) and blue (kindness) because those are the fruits I am working toward being like!

Dana & Terronda

Patti & Terronda

Dale & Terronda



Tranae & Terronda

LifeStyle Changes......

It is not where you start, but where you FINISH!

The fact is I have been obese for the past 9 years. I weighed my heaviest of 242 lbs this past April. My knees hurt, my body ached, couldn’t fit ANY of my largest size 20 clothes and felt depressed. I felt trapped by my desire to eat all the time..like an addiction. I still feel the battle and the trap of it but at least now I am fighting. I have lost 30 lbs so far and right now because I have NOT been disciplined I have gone up and down 5 – 6 lbs for the past month and a half. But I still have a victory in that I am LEARNING day by day …sometimes moment by moment to think differently about food! Food is for fuel not for simple pleasure. I eat more for pleasure than for sustenance. What have I been doing to lose my weight you asks?

Exercising 3 to 4 times a week – I do 20 min cardio and then do 20 minutes of weight training, rotating between upper and lower body each day. I JOURNAL! So important to write what I feel. Why I am eating when I eat.

I eat a LOT less! And actually started out doing this special weight loss program that my ENTIRE office is doing. We all have lost about 350 lbs between the 10 of us! I will share more about that program in my next weight loss blog. I plan to take you on this journey with me and have you hold me accountable and ask me how it is going!



Here is to a healthy lifestyle and a reminder that “It is not where you start but where you finish!

She melts my heart

With those puppy dog eyes and warm smile, she melts my heart. Being a mom is an amazing thing but being a grandmommy...oh that beats all. I don't think there is any way to effectively describe it! Having my daughter and grand daughter live with me is a blessing. When they move,I will be a sad Grammy!

See why she gets whatever she wants? Look at those eyes!

Posing for the camera already!

I see you Grandmommy!

Featured Etsyblogger of the month of November - Storybeader

Friendly and Always lending a helping hand to her Etsyblogger team mates – Storybeader is the well deserved featured Etsyblogger of the month! With unique jewelry designs such as the Tipi Treasure Necklace featured below. All of her jewelry and bead work tell an invigorating story. No doubt wearing her creatively designed pieces will be a stepping stone for great conversations and shared stories! Check out Storybeader's blog!



Tipi Treasure Necklace

Tagged TWO DAYS IN A ROW - Butterfly Award

WOW! Tagged two days in a row! I am surely feeling the love! (big Smile) Tagged by the truly encouraging and warm magdalenejewels! I have been passed this blogger's award which in turn I must now pass this "Butterly Award" on to 7 other bloggers. For those of you who don't know Magdalene jewel’s shop, her shop contains a mix of classy and elegant jewelry. No doubt she is talented! Her blog Magdelene Jewels - where you will find some of her very interesting blogs: So here is a little more of me to share about! I have tagged the below 7 to share and pass it on! Sorry having done it two days in a row – it gets hard to do the research to see if have already been tagged for this and even recently!

1. I definitely am not a witch or a psychic but I do know that when I have a VIVID/CLEAR dreams about something/someone, it usually happens very similarly to how I dreamed it. I also have more than my share of “déjà vu” moments. In fact, I had one today and it scared the crap out of me..LOL

2. I love the beach! There is something about the vastness of the ocean, the sound, of the waves and the sands on the seashore that move me to tears whenever I am near it.

3. I have lived in the same city/state all of my life

4. I write poetry and short stories though I haven’t done it in quite a while. Hmmm..maybe I need to post one of my poems and write a few in the near future.

5. I love R&B music – Old school baby! Old school!

6. I went to Aruba last year for my first international vacation! It was paradise! I love clear blue/green waters!

7. I LOVE to smile! It is contagious…(See me smiling?!) I told you it was contagious! PASS IT ON!

You've been tagged my etsyblogger family!
Tulip's Treasure Box
Etsy Mexico
My Favorite Shop
Nature Manipulated
TILTcreations
Home Made Originals
A Keepers Jackpot

Tag – I’m it for the first time!

I was tagged by Lovarevolutionary a member of the awesome Etsybloggers street team to spill the beans and share 7 secreets – hee-hee! Don’t forget to check out her store Lovarevolutionary


So 7 secrets hmmm….let me think!

1. My first online business was selling on Ebay! I used to go to yard sales, find neat items and sell them! The items I sold and made the most money from was a large box of college medical books that I paid $5 for (yes the whole box of about 15 books was only $5) and I made about $1,000 off of all of those books I sold! Oh the days of profit on Ebay!

2. My favorite color is Red. I generally love all bright colors but red is my absolute favorite because it is bright, bold and vibrant and representative of my personality.

3. I was born breech. BUTT first in fact with my right leg flipped up and over my left shoulder and my arms wrapped around that leg. My mom has over 100 stitches giving birth to me! Poor mommy!

4. I am the single mother of two young adults ages 21 and 19 and the grandmother of a beautiful granddaughter 13 months old!

5. I love to play games – Spades, Phase 10, Monopoly (my all time favorite)!

6. My dream was to graduate high school, become a Broad Cast Journalist and move to California! Never happened but I dreamed anyway..LOL

7. My favorite shows are CSI, Forensic Files, Dr. G Medical Examiner and HGTV with HGTV being my all time favorite!


Now spill more beans cuz tag YOU are it! I've tagged you to spill the beans and share secrets! Share 7 secrets and tag 7 bloggers to share 7 of their secrets!

CRAFTYCHEFGRAPHICS
PALLEIKO
BARBARABEADS
HBIC
SPIRITMAMA
CARAPACE
DEVINEDESIGNSJEWELRY

Humor

After twelve years of therapy my psychiatrist said something that brought tears to my eyes. He said, "No hablo ingles."

Here is your Payment! :)

OK OK! So here is the payment for ALL of you who complimented me on my family pic! Now NO fighting over it..Let's all share! LOL!

Family Affair

Here is a pic of me and my 19 year old daughter Brittany. We were at my sister's baby shower this past weekend!ttany! We were at my sisters baby shower!

Quick Wit

He who laughs last didn't get it.....

Blog Carnival - Veterans Day Plans

You know normally I would say that I would be SHOPPING on Veterans day but since I just unexpectedly put almost a $1,000 down to fix one car and I still have to pay $1,000 to fix the other car that my daughter recently wrecked…I won’t be. I will definitely take some time out to pray for those Veterans that gave their lives for us and those that have served us and are still in some capacity serving us. But the truth of the matter is, I will simply be sleeping in late on Veterans Day and then creating some new pieces. Perhaps I will create a piece in Red, White and Blue in honor of Veterans! That’s an idea!

H. Palleiko Designs offers "HOPE" in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women, except for skin cancers. It is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, exceeded only by lung cancer. The chance that breast cancer will be responsible for a woman's death is about 1 in 35 (about 3%). In 2008, about 40,480 women will die from breast cancer in the United States.
In honor of Breast cancer awareness month, H. Palleiko Designs( an exceptionally talented Etsian Artist) is donating a one of a kind necklace titled "Hope" to the Avon Breast Cancer foundation Auction.


Hand crafted from sterling silver, the multicolored glass focal piece was created by glass artist Patty Lakinsmith. Large teal chalcedony faceted stones grace each side of the neck. The spiral design is borrowed from ancient Egyptian, Greek and Celtic motifs and symbolism. Spiral motfis span many cultures and symbolize rebirth and life ever unfolding. To find out more about this designer and her work, please check out her blog http://hpalleikodesigns.blogspot.com/2008/10/avon-breast-cancer-foundation-auction.html and her Etsy site http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5524144

Wordless Wednesday

I WON!!!!

I WON!!!

So the sweet glorybe1024 http://glorybe1024.blogspot.com/ tells us on the etsybloggers forum that her close friend Vicky from http://2sistersandme.blogspot.com/ is holding a contest in honor of her own birthday and I think well I don’t usually win but hey I definitely want to wish her a happy birthday! Well go figure just got the message last night that I won the below! YIPPEE! I feel so special and it made my morning because I woke up feeling a bit down today!

Laughter is food for the soul.....

Men are like parking spots, the good ones are taken and the free ones are handicapped.

A Little Humor

When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car.

Providing Excellent Customer Service

I was looking at a stream of communication among some Etsians to discuss what is good customer service. Is it important to quickly respond when a buyer makes a purchase from your shop? How much follow up? When? To be honest I was a bit alarmed by some of the responses. Some said "Well customers on Etsy understand that most Etsians work full time jobs and do this on a part time basis so its ok to not send a quick follow up to say. "Got your order and will get it shipped by xxx date" NOT!

Communication is a major KEY to excellent customer service! It really bothers me when I get no communication acknowledging my order and then a week later I get my item in the mail and no follow up whatsoever afterward. All I want to say on the feed back is "Thanks" or "Item as described". I state very specifically in my shop policies my standards for Customer service and my goal to the customer. Below is the process I follow when someone buys from me.

1. When someone orders from me, I respond with the below standard statement within 48 hours of the order (usually it is the same day) My subject is "Your Order" I am not specific in stating the item ordered. Use the customers real first name! It is more personal and shows your customer you have taken time to at least review the details of their Invoice/order:

**************Order Received Acknowledgment and statement of process!**************

Hi ______,

Your item will be shipped within 5 days. Once you receive your item, please leave positive feed back. I pride myself in having great customer service and a feedback rating that shows it! If for some reason you are not satisfied with your purchase, please contact me before leaving neutral or negative feedback so I may rectify the problem. And hey–thanks for choosing to shop with Uniquecommodities! :)

****When I ship the item I put "Tracking number - 9101 XX XX XXXXX in the subject line****

Hi______

Your item has been shipped! Once you receive your item, please leave positive feed back. I pride myself in having great customer service and a feedback rating that shows it! If for some reason you are not satisfied with your purchase, please contact me before leaving neutral or negative feedback so I may rectify the problem. And hey–thanks again for choosing to shop with Uniquecommodities! :)

**********Follow up if no feed back is left within 7 days of verified receipt of item**********

Hi ____I see that you received your item on _____! I hope it was to your satisfaction. If so, please leave positive feed back. If for some reason you are not satisfied with your purchase, please contact me before leaving neutral or negative feedback so I may rectify the problem. Take care!

After this I leave it alone and Notice that I have feed back for almost EVERY item I have sold (about 98%)..because I follow up and not in a nagging way. I have never had a complaint and I believe it is because I state my focus and intent from the start and follow through accordingly!

REMEMBER...EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE BREEDS REPEAT CUSTOMERS AND REFERRALS!

Blog Carnival - Party Cheese Wreath Recipe

1. Ingredients

2 (8 ounce) packages PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1 (8 ounce) package KRAFT Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
1 tablespoon finely chopped onions
1 tablespoon chopped red bell peppers
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 dash ground red pepper (cayenne)

2. Cooking Directions
Beat cream cheese and Cheddar cheese in small bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended.
Add remaining ingredients; mix well. Cover. Refrigerate several hours or overnight.
Place drinking glass in center of serving platter. Drop rounded tablespoonfuls of cheese mixture around glass, just touching outer edge of glass to form ring; smooth with spatula. Remove glass. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and additional red bell pepper, if desired. Serve with assorted NABISCO Crackers and breadsticks.
Yield: 24 servings

Nutrition Info
Per Serving
Calories: 105 kcal
Carbohydrates: 1 g
Dietary Fiber: 0 g
Fat: 9 g
Protein: 3 g
Sugars: 0 g

3. Still Hungry?
Notes:
Substitute
Prepare as directed, using PHILADELPHIA Neufchatel Cheese, 1/3 Less Fat than Cream Cheese and KRAFT 2% Milk Shredded Reduced Fat Cheddar Cheese.
Mini Cheeseballs
Shape cream cheese mixture into 1-inch balls. Roll in soft, light rye or dark pumpernickel bread

RELAX, Relate and Rejoice

Relax! Relate! Rejoice!

They say laughter is the best medicine and helps to relieve stress! There is nothing that makes me smile and laugh more than my beautiful grandbaby Zionna! She is hilarious! I come home from a stressful day at work and she greets me at the door with a hug and blows me a kiss. Looking at her reminds me there is not much more important in life than spending quality time with those you love! Relaxing, Relating and Rejoicing that I have been blessed by my daughter with such a beautiful gift! I love you Zionna!

Look at her hard at work!

And after all of that fun! Time to go beddy by! What a way to end the night! Smiling and relaxing

Zionna is ONE!

Being a grandmommy has been a most exciting experience! My how time does fly! My grand daughter Zionna turned one this past Sunday! She brings us so much joy! Her laugh, her puppy dog eyes! The way she says "hi" and "bye". She keeps us laughing and on the go! She turned one on October 5th and I tell you she has a loved little girl! She had about 15 people at her birthday celebration and she got more gifts than any one year old would know what to do with. More than that though she was surrounded by the people who love and adore her the most. Her grand parents on her dad's side, her parents, gammy (me), her God parents, aunties, baby sitter and a host of other friends and family. Her grandmother made her TWO cakes and might I add they were both DELICIOUS! LOL!

I thank God daily for the joy she brings to our lives! I love you Zi!