Some gave all

Through out the past few years the military has become a part of my
life, thanks to my boyfriend. Things I never thought of before,
recognized, or paid much attention to I now look for. It is not that I
did not have respect for those who put everything on the line for us, or
that I didn't appreciate what they have done and continue to do.
However, in a relatively short amount of time, my entire view has
changed into something more. Something I don't even know how to
describe.



For most people today is a day for fun. To be
with family and friends. For cookouts, fishing, playing baseball or
whatever sport. And that is okay. But I hope at the picnics, barbeques,
and camp outs going on today, that a moment is taken to recognize what
this holiday is really about. Today is about the people who gave all.
Today is about the soldiers who left to defend you and I, and did not
return home. Today is about their families. The loved ones they have
left behind. It is about the soldiers who came home but did not mentally
come home. For those who took their lives after returning to home soil
because of what they had seen, done, and those they had lost. To those people who gave the ultimate sacrifice, thank you. You live on in the hearts of the people you left behind.
In the combat buddies that were by your side and continue to carry your
memory with them. In the families that have lost. In the service
members who are now veterans. In those who are serving now. Your memory
lives on in the heart of America. The United States Of America is a free
country still because of your sacrifice. The words do not do what we
owe to you justice. Thank you.

A healthier tomorrow

Today is one of the 7 days (normally only get 6) off this month. And..... it's raining. Of course! I had some errands I had to do which made it ok that it is extremely soupy outside.

Ok, just one errand, which was to go grocery shopping. I am not one of those people who hates shopping. Actually, I kind of enjoy it. While shopping I am thinking of dinners that I can prepare in the coming nights ahead. I am not the best cook. I will admit it. But, I am LEARNING!! With the help of Pinterest and the Internet, I am getting there. Luckily, my wonderful boyfriend (who did I mention went to culinary school? No pressure!) doesn't ever complain and actually most nights has something wonderful to say about what I prepare. As I'm in the grocery store I am looking for things that (I think) would go together to make meals (or things I want to try from Pinterest) but are also healthy. I know many people who are on health kicks right now, myself included. I've decided that I want to be healthier, not just lose weight. (Really my goal is more toning than losing weight as well as being healthy) I am happy to report that I bought mostly very wholesome foods! While at the grocery store I notice all types of people. All I can say is even though I'm not Betty Crocker, I at least try for healthy meals and not just go for the easy to put in the microwave processed stuff. That's all I'm going to say about that.

In the past I have tried to be healthier, lose weight, look good, blah blah blah. Same old stuff that I tried doing in the past but never really stuck with it. So, I have decided to put my goals on paper, well, in writing. They say that is one of the things that can help you reach your goals. I am hoping that if I make it a regular habit of writing about my fitness journey it will help me keep on track with what my goals actually are. My sister-in-law also has set goals for herself. Around the time she did I also did. My first goal was to lose 4 pounds. I know that might not sound like much but I only weighed 108 at the time. (I am very short so keep that in mind with the numbers and goals I throw out there.) Let me just put in a disclaimer here, I do not think I am overweight. With that being said, I set the date for this goal to be reached by June 7th. (We have a wedding in the family and it was an easy date for both my sister-in-law and myself to have an event in mind.) Well by Easter of this year I had lost 6 lbs! Actually, most of that was due to getting the flu for a week and a half. It was horrible. I weighed myself two weeks after the 6 lb change and had actually lost 4 lbs for real. YAY! I reached my first goal! I called up my sister-in-law to let her know! I did it! Now all I have to do is maintain it! With her help, I decided setting a new goal for myself is the next step on my journey! My new goal is to maintain my new weight, as well as DRINK MORE WATER! I am not a water drinker. I usually only drink (milk) when I eat dinner. That's mostly where my liquid intake for the day is. Not good. I've been taking a fairly large water bottle with me to work and have a mini goal of finishing the bottle before I am done with work. To my surprise I am almost there! I'm not a huge fan of water so I have those packets that you mix into the water so it has some sort of flavor. Mini goal number 2 is to wean myself off those oh so delicious flavored drinks to just plain water. Hopefully, by June 7th I can say I am drinking 2 large bottles of water a day and still at my targeted weight for myself.   
I am looking forward to making new goals for myself as I progress on my journey to a healthier me! If anybody has any tips on helping me with my goals, any healthy (and maybe not so complicated) dinner recipes as well as cooking tips for a newbie chef I'd love to hear them!

Mother knows best..

Today is mothers day! Happy Mother's day to all moms/moms to be! We as children owe so much to you.

I know I do to my mom. She has taught me so much over the years and I am sure the learning is not over on my part. I look forward to the things I still have to learn from her. Somehow, you got all four of us kids grown up without killing each other while being a part time stay at home mom and working part time. You got us to all of our activities (maybe not always on time, but hey, at least we were there) and always supported us in the things we wanted to do (even if it meant more running and work for you.) Thank you mom, for taking care of me when I was an infant and could not fend for myself. Thank you for playing with me, braiding my hair, and teaching me all the wonderful things of the world when I was young. Most of all thank you for putting up with me in the difficult times (I know there have been many), and for not ever giving up on me. Thank you for showing me what tough love is when I need it. Most of all thank you for just being my mom. Love you!

I know I'm not an actual "mom" yet, but I still like to think of myself as a mom in some ways to my dogs and horses. They are my children in a way and I love them. I look forward to the day when it is my time to be "mom". But, for now, I am content with my fur kids.











Thank you to all moms!!! Today is your day and you deserve it!!

My little corner of the internet

Hello there!

This is totally new for me. I was reading some posts in a few blogs and loved reading them! I love reading how people's lives differ from mine, new ideas/takes on things, as well as getting to know people in different places of the world, stages in life ect. So here we go, bear with me...

My name is Elizabeth. I am a 20 something year old who grew up in a small town in Western NY. I have a fairly large family with 3 brothers, 1 sister-in-law, 2 beautiful nieces, and 3 soon to be sister-in-laws. My extended family is very large, mostly on my mother's side (go grandma! 11 kids later still kicking and looking fantastic! I hope I look as good as her at her age!) Anyways, I moved to Northern NY this past December and embarked on my new life adventure! (You will come to know that this is huge for me!) I am dating a wonderful man, who I am sure you will learn very well through the posts. Our two dogs are like our children, napping on the floor beside the bed as I am typing this.

I can't wait to share my hectic and ever changing life with you!

Bye for now.