Dear Diary,

    This is a tough time of the year for me.  I just can't seem to help myself in vocalizing my deeply held political opinions.  I at least feel confident in why I stand for what I do, staying abreast the current election topics and who stands for what..  I mean it seems like NO BRAINER to me...  I still feel like one of the FEW in my area that feel this way.  So, what I wonder is, am i fracturing relationships by FB posting about it?  The flip side is, I know many people are impressionable. Many people around here don't watch the news or the debates and only know what their friends or family say. With so many people in TN pro Trump, I feel many need to see some of the information I am putting out there.. Plus, I know there are other Hillary fans out there.  I don't want them to think they are alone.   I don't want to lose the election and look back and think I should have tried to help..  I am with her.  I know politics aren't going to help me drum up business, but that's where I stand.   I'm not saying she is perfect.  But if we are going to make a list and put Hillary on one side and Trump on the other..  well..  it's going to be PRETTY hefty on Trump's side for reasons he would not make a good President.  Of course, all of this, is in my humble opinion.  

Currently renovating this blog, not even sure if I want to delete all of my former posts, but they certainly won't be relevant to the future posts..   If there was a way to simply de-activate them... If someone knows please let me know!!  Thanks...

NEW JOB

Hi friends, it's been a while!  I have been slammed busy at work.  I have found a new job, that is more closely aligned with my career goals!  I am going to be a sales rep at Delirium Wine and Spirits.  My route is local.  I have 50 accounts.   I'm excited and nervous!  I'm either going to love or hate it.

Goodbye Direct Insurance!  I will miss some of you. 

Decorating Ideas

I have began the process of planning our how we will decorate and furnish our new townhouse (YES, that means we found a place to live!).  First off, the townhouse is 3 bedrooms and near Lenox Village.  I wanted to be in this area because it's pretty close to everything and in a great area.  It's also close to a lot of my friends.   My colors of choice are gray, white, bright lime, bright yellow, and blue.. a light shade and a bright shade.  And birds.  I love birds!  Here are some of the types of items I am loving:

I love Morroccan and Chevron prints

This is the gray sofa and tables we bought for our family room:

I am wanting to buy this area rug from etsy.com

I think I am going to make my own headboard for our new KING size mattress we bought.  Jonathan is going to make the platform bottom part of the bed.  I will for sure let you know what that turns out like! :)

The sites I have been using ALL THE TIME now in my free time (forget about Facebook!)

http://www.houzz.com/   <---this is where you can see ideabooks, get professionals advice, and shop all sorts of home furnishings from many sites all at this site (think Kayak.com or Polyvore.com)

http://www.jossandmain.com/  (high end fashionable furnishings for lower prices for short period "events"-sales)

http://www.pinterest.com/  - if you don't know by now, it's the best source for DIY projects and recipes

http://www.polyvore.com%3c---/ You can design outfits and buy the clothes from their individual websites

Homeless?

Currently we are in search of a place to live, temporarily, until we buy a house or move out of state.  I like townhouses, Jonathan likes apartments.  It's begining to be very frustrating.  I hope we can come to some agreement.  I feel like the walls are closing in on me inside apartments.  I hate that only one wall has windows.  I also don't particularly like have a lot of neighbors.  Not sure why..  since at Lenox Village I did like that.  I know I want to be by the interstate and I want it to be somewhat easy to get to my parents house in Smyrna too.  I just want to get a place ASAP honestly.  I'll probably give up before he does so.. we'll see where we end up!

Portraits

I stumbled across some beautiful portraits and wanted to post for inspiration so here goes:

Dieting

I have worked out every day this week!  A special thank you to my work-out partner, Dana.  Also, I have been dieting quite a bit!  I'm very proud of myself, as you can tell.  I may have only lost 2 lbs so far, but that is awesome news for me, since I had pretty much plateaued.  The diet has a few aspects to it. 

• eat every 3 hours (to help raise metabolism)
• lower calorie intake
• lower carb intake
• work out daily
• try to get plenty of sleep
• drinking water NON-STOP
• taking vitamins
• taking fiber chewable tablets (helps curb food cravings)

The foods I have been consuming are:

• EAS low-carb protein shakes (100 calories!)
• plain rice cakes with a wedge of spreadable laughing cow cheese on top (YUMMY)
• turkey slices wrapped around a wedge of laughing cow cheese (even yummier)
• homemade fruit and spinach smoothie (made of apple, strawberries, spinach, grapes, ice and water)
• grilled chicken

I'll let you know if I lose all the weight I need to by Memorial Day.  That is our vacation to Cali!