Isn't it Lovely?

Confessions of a Jewelry Junkie!

These are some of my gemstone necklaces. I really am a jewelry junkie. I even go through phases of must haves. Sometimes I am obsessed with bracelets, rings, necklaces, earrings. It is just whatever inspires me at a given time. I love designers as well as some lesser known jewelry artists.

This is just the gemstone collection. I prefer a more old world look. I also prefer gemstone necklaces that allow me to change the pendant. There are some gemstone necklaces that have a pendant that is an inclusive part of the necklace. This only screams "restrictions" to me. I really like when there is some room in between the beads, so I have room to add a pendant.

I have tried to collect many different gemstones. Right now I am loving my Peruvian Pink Opals. It has been my flavor of the month. I recently purchased lemon quartz and a Golden Rutilated Quartz.

I have always loved jewelry. I don't know any female friends that don't love jewelry. I am drawn to certain stones at different times. It took me a long time to get the Peruvian Pink Opals they are rare, and very costly.

Because I love the Golden Rutilated Quartz so much I had to get a bracelet too. So, I have to know... Are there others out there?

 

What Have I Learned?

One of the Angels that I used in my Project 365. Everyday, take a photo of something. This is on the retaining wall in the backyard. So far this year, I have learned that it is better for me to take several photos in one day and save them for the project. Hmmm, so it is not an honest view of my life, or is it?

I have done really well about exercising and eating right. Honestly, by now I have already cheated or munched my way through something that I know is sooo bad for me. I know that this is really for me. I have been writing to other people on "Spark People" that have some of the same issues that I do. I have found groups that I feel as though I have common traits. I even went to Mass.

So, often I skip Mass. I see the same people Monday through Friday when I go pick up my kids, so for a while I just wanted to have the whole weekend away from everyone except my family. There was a time when I loved going to Mass, but I did not like it when it seemed as though it was more of a chore than time out of my day I felt spiritually closer to God. Oh sure, I used to....but I think a lot of it has been that I have let my fat get in my way. What does that mean? It was an excuse for me. None of my clothes fit me any longer. I just have not felt closer to anyone being rounder.

Yesterday, I did feel good about Mass. I wore an outfit that was not my favorite, but I made the best of it. I even slammed on some war paint. (make up)

I have learned that I can not watch television after I drop off the kids. It is like poison gets inside my body, and I can't move. I can't get up to exercise or do all the other things that I need to do. I think this is going to be my magical blogging time.  I think I miss the sound of a social atmosphere going on in my house. That is what the television provides for me.

I like working out before I have my breakfast.

I call my mom and talk to her on face time as I put away the dishes. I hate holding the phone between my head and my shoulder.

Alright, it is getting close to my "goal" work out time.

Have a super great day.

Have you learned anything new about yourself this year?

Hello, Apple Support.

If you know what this is the chances are you are an Apple person or even an Apple Geek. This is a wall socket for my iPhone 4.

Recently, I sent my dad (60+years old) a Macbook. When we get a new MacBook, MacBook Pro, or anything Apple we like to give our other Apple devices to our family. I think I have all my immediate family covered, and recently one of my favorite Uncle.

Since all these family members have an Apple they call me to get help for their problems.  My dad just got his new (08 Macbook) from me, and I assisted him over the phone on how to set it up. He was telling me before I sent him the Mac that he had an iPhone 3G. I was telling him...Dad, now you can download all your stuff from your iPhone right on your Mac. I asked...Have you got any apps on your iPhone. No, he said I don't have any apps. Well, I don't know how you even use your phone without an ITunes account. I then asked "Are you sure it is an iPhone? Yes, he insisted! It is an iPhone.

I spent an least an hour on the phone telling him that he had to plug his phone into the Mac to get the iPhone to download. He kept telling me "There is no cord!" It came with no cord! Alright, alright, you will have to look in your box. No, it wasn't there. I asked him if maybe there was a chance that he lost it. He insisted "It never came with one!" Ugh! I had to go.

Being so OCD I could not give this up! I called Dad back, and asked "Where did you get the phone Dad?  Did you buy this from some guy off the street? Did you buy this at a reputable dealer? He said he bought it at Radio Shack. Radio Shack? Yes, he said. Don't you have an Apple Store around there? No, he said there is not one in the whole state of WV.

I live in CA. They are like Starbucks, everywhere out here. S

Finally, I said...Dad, I am going to send you some photos of what the cord, plug, and USB connector look like. This is what you should have.

I called back the next day. he even took all his stuff to my Uncles house so he could see too. I asked my Uncle...Does Dad have any of the power cords or USB cord? No, my Uncle told me. I asked him to give the phone to my dad. I asked again "Dad, are you sure that is an iPhone?" Yes, it is! It is an iPhone! Dad, turn the phone over and read to me what it says on the back...it says SAMSUNG.

What The Hell! Dad, it is not an iPhone! He defended his side...It is just like an iPhone. OMG!

Cart Wheels In My Yard

So, I said once the children go back to school that I was going to be doing cartwheels in the front yard. Well, I exaggerated a little.

Not only did I exercise finished loads of laundry, I even had time for a facial. This is mud from Italy! Swanky!

I am so not kidding about living it up, right now in fact I am drinking a cup of Chamomile while I write this to you. Almost forgot to tell you...I even practiced my Italian on Rosetta Stone, and got an 88%.

If you are trying to transform your life you may want to take a listen to the podcast of Renee Stephenson. She is the author of Inside Out Weight Loss. I just love listening to her while I fold clothes or make beds or do any of the other glamourous jobs that I encounter throughout the day.  Spark People is another great place to start to make changes, you have to want it though.

All of you have a great day! If you have any tips on transforming our lives in a positive manner. Please share!

Pulling Up My Big Girl Panties

First, I need to find my Big Girl Panties. I was poking around the web yesterday, and ran across Scary Mommy she is one of my friends on Twitter. I read her blog post, and she had a lot of great information about blogging. I have contemplated having a blog on word press before I read her post. When I took a look before it all seemed so daunting. Was I talented enough for word press? kept running through my head. Well, I thought I did meet my husband on line before it was the cool thing to do. Hubby and I created an education site before there was Google. I had webrings, and I bet not a lot of people even know what those are. When we had MIMAnet.com my husband had to write all the HTML for me. Since I have a Mac these days I am going to utilize my "One to One" membership and learn how to use the domain name I have Terra Del Sole D'Oro (Land of the Golden Sun) and create my own website with a blog from word press. This is a great time since I lost all my followers from moving from my old name Terra Del Sole to my new name Terra Del Sole D'Oro I will have to write to each one of the old followers to ask them to rejoin me as a follower. I may as well do this as a Big Girl, so I am going to be pulling those things up soon. Right now, I just may as well be naked. I can do this! *chanting to myself over and over* In the mean time please "like" my face book page.

No Resolution, but an Evolution

No resolution for me this year. This year it is an Evolution of my body, mind and spirit. I have always been a big fan of Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle...once again in my life I find myself needing to break out of this ho hum, feeling of drop my leaves and start fresh.

I have been exercising for four days, and today is the 5th. I am not going to push myself into a punishment or crisis mode. I am going to simply eat better. Exercise 20 mins a day. Twenty minutes is not that much time. I can do this. I have caught myself looking at the clock...has it been 20 minutes yet? I know it takes time to develop a habit. I can give myself at least 20 mins. each day. I used to love exercise, but somewhere it became a monster that lived in the closet.

I fed the monster. Exercise equipment, DVD's, and recently apps have all helped to keep the monster in the closet. Now, the monster takes up the whole damn closet. There is not more room for coats or others things, just a big ball, pilates machine, weights of various sizes, bands that stretch, DVD's.

Once this exercise (or I exorcise out my fat demon) takes hold into becoming a habit I will be healthy again. This year though it is not just about being healthy through exercise, but learning something new. Utilizing the Rosetta Stone I have installed on my Mac.

What about my spirit? I am Catholic! I really need to get to Mass. I enjoy going, but again...somewhere along the journey...going to Mass became a chore. Just like a child reluctant to do chores I hid. I want to enjoy life as I used to...I know that exercise can help! I studied Physical Education...I know all these things, but I have not utilized my knowledge in the best way I can.

This year for me it is about evolving into ME! Being the best person I can be. Not rushing out to buy more exercise equipment, DVD's or apps. I already have all I need I just have to pull it out of the closet and use it.

This is my testament...Better me this year!