Mother's Day, Shopping, and Style Differences, Oh My!

My daughters and I went on our annual shopping trip.  This year we chose the Orlando Premium Outlet Malls on both Vineland and International Drive.  First we stopped at Carrabbas for lunch. The food was delicious as usual.  Once we finished, we head to our first stop.  Premium Outlet on Vineland.  

Courtesy of Orlando Premium Outlets - Vineland Avenue (Nov 2012)

Provided by management

We proceeded first to one of my favorite shops, Banana Republic.  I truly believe I could live in here.  The clearance was 40%, and I was able to find three cute tops, which my daughters didn't care too much for, but there is a 20 and 21 year age difference between us.  

We proceeded to a few shops the girls like including Vera Bradley.  I was proud of myself that I didn't spend any money there.  To end our shopping at this mall, I stopped in at my other favorite store Ann Taylor!  There, I was able to find two more shirts that I liked on clearance for 70% off.

We then proceeded to the Prime Outlets on International Drive.  Our main goal here was to go to Victoria Secret.  I believe we spent an hour and a half in there.  This was interesting for me because it was the first time I have ever been fitted for a bra.  I will just say it was an interesting experience.

  

Courtesy of Orlando Premium Outlets® - International Drive

We also went to a few children stores as well since we have been blessed with Ashton as well as his half-sister who will be here in a week visiting us for the summer.

If you are ever in Central Florida, you need to visit the outlet malls.

We had Ashton with us for our shopping extravaganza, and he was a trooper.  He kept up with us for the almost 9 hour shopping marathon!

I hope everyone had a blessed Mother's Day!

What did you do to celebrate?

Positive thoughts for Friday

What a beautiful day it is here in sunny central Florida!

Life is finally settling down in the Bougher household. This is the first time in 18 years that my husband and I have lived together just the two of us. We are in enjoying it. It seems like we have become more social and are going out more instead of staying home and watching tv.

Last, Sunday we celebrated Easter by having dinner with both daughters at our oldest's house. This was Ashton's first Easter.

Words can't begin to describe how much I love my family!

On Wednesday, I headed to Salvation Army with my good friend Marsha.  Wednesday is their half-off day on clothes and linens.  I got a few scrubs for work, a pair of shoes, three shirts, and I got Ashton seven outfits.

That afternoon I got to watch Ashton as his normal sitter had to have oral surgery.

He slept as I worked from home!

I hope everyone is having a blessed week.

Be blessed! 

Busy Week

This is a busy week in the Bougher household as we are moving into an apartment.  In all the years my husband and I have been married, this will be the first time we will actually live together just the two of us.  We are both actually excited about this! I would love to do some post on spring fashion, but everything at this time is boxed up and ready to be moved.  This week is also my last week of college for my AA degree.  I will officially graduate in June, that is if I decide to walk.  I haven't made up my mind yet on that.  

I hope this post finds everyone well!  I look forward to being settled in and life slowing down so I can post more about things I like and enjoy.  I will leave you with this picture of our moving process.

Blessings,

Donna 

Gone from blogging for too long!

Goodness!  Has it really been almost three months since I posted?  I guess I have just been so busy with trying to get my last semester of college done, my externship, and we are moving yet again.

I have just two weeks as of tomorrow left of school, then I graduate in June.  I haven't made up my mine as to whether I am going to walk for graduation or not.  My externship went well.  I got hired on at the doctor's office that I was doing my externship at, so now I am working two jobs.

Also, in two weeks, my husband and I are moving (just 10 minutes away) to an apartment.  This will be the first time in our married life that we have lived together by ourselves.  I am so excited.  Also, I am excited about having a walk-in closet so my clothes can finally come out of boxes.

In just 2-1/2 months, our grandson will be turning 1.  It is so hard to believe that it has been almost a years since the accident.  He is doing well for being born so early.  Also, he is now above average for his height and weight.  He has truly opened my eyes to what is important in life.

I have missed everyone, and I plan on writing at least once a week if not more.

Blessings,

Donna

What are my New Year's Resolutions?

Well as I have mentioned in my previous post my new year's resolutions are health and exercise. With 2013, coming and going so quickly, I have had a chance to look back over the last year. 

So far I have discovered fruit smoothies in order to get my daily intake of fruits. Personally, I am not a fan of fruits, mainly because of the texture.  I do enjoy the smells of most fruit though.  I add a whole banana to my smoothies to make sure I get my potassium, as low potassium seems to be an issue for me.

As far as exercising is going, I try to walk everyday for at least 30 minutes to an hour. I have been doing my workout dvds at least 3 times a week.

Why focus on these two areas? Well, as I mentioned previously I was admitted to the hospital August 2013. It was during this visit that the cardiologist informed me my heart was under stress.  He had recommended a heart catheterization; however, I declined.  I want to be healthy so that I can enjoy time with my husband, daughters and grandson. 

My goal is to get healthy.  I want to get my BMI down as well as lowering my cholesterol.  My goal is not to lose weight to become a size 3 (Now that I am 41 I am not worried about size 3).  I am trying to lose weight to become healthy.  My ideal size would be an 8 or 10.

I hope you follow me along on my journey.

Blessings,

Donna

A New Year, new resolutions!

I have thought about about my blog for the last week or so, and thinking of what direction I would like to take it in 2014.  For me, my resolution is about getting healthy, everything from eating right to exercising, also showing some new outfits that I have as well.

In August 2013, I was admitted to the hospital for heart issues, low potassium and low magnesium, and a possible bacterial infection. During this stay, I realized there was a lot in my life that was going to have to change from giving up my favorite drink of Coca Cola to giving up sweets.  I am not a fruit and vegetable person so this would have to change as well.  While in the hospital the cardiologist talk with about doing a heart catheterization.  As I laid there listening to him explain the tests and the catheterization, I thought I am only 40, why would I need this.  I did go through with the noninvasive testing but declined the catheterization.

Since being out of the hospital, I have taking up walking daily, using my workout dvds more often, and working on eating healthy.

I have decided to bring you all along on my journey! I look forward to any comments you may have as input is greatly appreciated.

This is one of my prime reasons for trying to live healthier.  I want to be around to enjoy my family.

Feeling Accomplished yet Overwhelmed!

I am at the end of long road that started roughly 22 years ago. I am graduating from college this spring with my A.A. degree. I am excited knowing that I am almost to the finish line, one more semester to go. However, I am feeling extremely overwhelmed by what this upcoming semester holds for me.

For starters, I have to finish 16-credit hours (which is four classes). On top of this, I have to complete my externship (which they informed me is 40 hours a week). I already work two jobs, both from home though as a medical transcriptionist, as well as taking care of home.

The thought of things to come was weighing heavily on me over the weekend. Then, my dear husband said the sweetest thing, "Let me know what I can do to help you." That was music to my ears. Normally, I don't accept help in fear that what I need to get done will be pushed to the side. However, this time I told him for those 12 weeks he needed to take over the finances including the checkbook register. I even told him I would put together a list of when things are do and the websites and passwords to what I take care of online.

I did give him this disclaimer though that I would probably still be overwhelmed and a little short-tempered during this time.