As we head into a new year, I like many out there make new year resolutions. I really hate the word resolution! It is almost like setting yourself up for failure from the beginning. So this year I am setting up goals that are attainable for me.

I have struggled with my weight for many years. I have had times where I have lost, only to gain it right back. I signed up for SparkPeople about two years ago and have had some success, only to fail because I don't stick with it. I start feeling guilty about being on the computer and think that I could be doing something else. The thing is, I enjoy being on the computer!

I had a job at one time that had me around people all the time. Since I have become a stay-at-home mom, I do not have the "people" time that I used to. We only have one car and my old friends still have their jobs and lives and not time to socialize with me much anymore. Our interests have parted ways. I now have as what I like to call, internet friends and I have found it odd that friendships can develop so nicely when you communicate on line. Odd isn't it!

I used to be one who thought that people who spent alot of time online needed to get a life. The old adage not to judge others until you walk a mile in their shoes has proven true to me in this case. I love t be on the computer and love the connections that I have made!!

I guess what I am getting at is that I am going to turn to the computer for help with my new year goals.

I have 100 pounds to lose to be at a weight that is recommended for my body type. My goal is to lose just 50 pounds of that total this year. That is just about one pound a week for the whole year. I think that I can do that! I think that setting a goal that is truly attainable is important. And not to mention that most "experts" say that the slower you lose the weight the more likely that it is to stay off! I am going to use this blog as well as Sparks to assist me with this endeavor. I plan to write on this one at least weekly and my Sparks blog daily. If you want to join me on Sparks I am the user iwanttolose100. Check it out!!

I have not finalized the exact terms for the other goals for the next year. I will update readers as they are figured out. Who says that they all have t start on January 1st!

Been Awhile

It has been awhile since my last post. Not much has been happening that I really had a need to spout out about.

the political issue has gone from bad to worse. Now we could be facing a war that I really don't think that we should even consider. Yes, I am referring to Russia. We are now telling them that they need to get out of Georgia or else. Or else what? I agree that Russia should get out of Georgia, but can this nation afford to get into another heated battle? It will be interesting to see what happens in the next few days.

Off of the subject of politics for now. If I continue on it will just end up into an endless rant and rave about something that not to many people realize is important.

I have continued on the plot of starting my own business. I have made a lot of product. I even made my first sales!!! I was so happy! I was trying to sell on Ebay, but I think the market place for homemade crafts is not big to that site.

I was watching Good Morning America one day and heard about this great site called Etsy.com. It deals only with homemade and vintage goods. It was wonderful!!! I loved it. Not only for posting items for sale, but also for buying. I can not wait to try the buying bit. I love home made items.

The site is easy to sign up for, it is easy to post your adds, they give you a store, and have many other affordable helps to get the word out about you homemade goods. I am really excited about this site. Check it out!!!!!

What now?

I don't know how many people actually read this blog,but I am going to keep writing it.

As those of you who do read know, I have been a stay at home mom for a couple of years now. But that is getting ready to change. I am going to continue to work on starting my own business but I am going to have to find work outside the home. I retired my nursing license and do not want to return to that hectic job, so I am applying to stuff like walmart and the such. I am hoping that I will find work soon.

The financial challenges are great in this day and age. Families cannot be families because of the money it takes to make it. Even with cutting down to the basics, as we have, it is hard to make ends meet. We do not go out to eat, out to the movies, or anything much else. We did manage to get in a small vacation, but even that caused a little financial hardship. Once a month McDonalds has become a big treat.

I know that there are people in the world in worse shape than we are in the United States, but for being one of the most powerful nations, we are poor. Watching the news last night, here in Kentucky they were talking about the cut backs in education funding. They are talking about cutting after school tutoring and special education programs. We are cutting funding for the most important assets that this country has, our children!! We are as a nation going to fall further and further behind other nations if we do not take proper care of our children!!! I am in fear and worry about the nation that my children are going to grow up in. We have a lot of talk and no action!!

The press is also talking about how we, by using less gas, have cut the budget for road repairs. Isn't that what the call has been for? We have been told to cut back on the consumption of gas by environmentalist and economist. Now we are going to pay the price for listening and doing what we have been told we should do if we care about our nation. I am so sick and tired of this rhetoric!!!

I do not want the government to have to much control or say over things like there is in other countries, but we elect our representatives to serve us and our needs as people of the Untied States!! How much in tax dollars were wasted on investigations to drug use in professional sports! Why in congress getting involved in this, it is a judicial issue and that is where it should stay. How many millions of dollars have been wasted in this supposed investigation of the oil companies? How many of these politicians have stakes in these oil companies. Many Americans also have stake in these companies in the the form of retirement accounts, and may not even realize it. Yeah, that's right, make the oil companies pay big time and people may lose the hard earned money they have put away in their retirement accounts. No matter which way you look at it we the people lose!!!

I am tired of all the words that are spoken by the representatives of this country!!! I want action!