Where the heck did the time go? It’s nearly 2013!!

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Carol Ann

I’ve been quite busy over the last 5 months. So much has happened!!

My boyfriend is now my fiance and we celebrated our first anniversary of living together in March.

I celebrated one year at Columbus and the Valley Magazine this month. Yahoo!

My daughter turned 8 in March!

In one week she will graduate from 3rd Grade.

I am thrilled to say that to date she has earned all As on her report cards since 2nd grade AND the ONLY B she ever earned was one in 1st Grade. She is remarkable!!!!

David, Morgan and I found a home we would like to move into. It’s not the best looking INSIDE as it needs a bit of work, but the location is perfect!!!!

I’ll let you know how it goes in the coming weeks. If we get it, it will be after much negotiation on fixing the place up.

I like convenience. I miss the convenience of calling up Peapod or some other Grocery Delivery Service Company to deliver so I don’t have to fight the crowds at the store.

Who am I kidding, I don’t actually grocery shop much. My sweet man tends to take care of it for the family. I think it’s more so he doesn’t have to deal with Morgan asking for things and so I don’t wander off on some ‘wow, I’ve never seen this before’ journey.

It soon turns into a two hour trip which could have been done in 15 minutes.

I started the ‘diet’ again and am 10 lbs down. I have a long way to go, but I will reach my goal!!

I’m using the WW point system but consuming the Pro Cal 100 shakes to help keep me full. They are the shakes used for gastric bypass patients.

Each contains 15 grams of protein. I can consume up to 5 per day at 3 pts a piece AND add lots of fresh fruits and veggies at no additional points.

I have a confession. I am an emotional eater. I was so upset last nite and today about something that I couldn’t contain myself. I over indulged on food. Talk about feeling worse.

Now, I’m not only upset, I’m bloated, ashamed and could go into a diabetic coma at any time.

I ate…brace yourself………….wait for it…..wait for it….

8 Skinny Cow Ice Cream Sandwiches!!! In ONE sitting!!!!!

Who eats 8 Skinny Cow Ice Cream sandwiches?

Here is how it happened. First, it started 5 days ago when I decided to drink on Cinco de Mayo. This lead to eating a few tortilla chips and 3 tostada shells with the healthy food inside.

Then, it was sushi and frozen yogurt! I ate alot. Then, it was Mexican. Then, it was sushi and the Skinny Cows.

Five days of unclean eating triggered by ONE delicious strawberry margarita and a few chips.

I see how it starts. I just CANNOT get off plan. When I take one step off I need to learn to hop right back on. I will NOT fail.

I am glad to post it here so I can attempt to be accountable.

One more thing before I go tonite. Do you watch American Idol? I haven’t since Kelly Clarkson. But I saw a singer who really impressed me.

I absolutely LOVE my man, David Reneau. I know we will be together until death we part.

HOWEVER, if, by some horrible chance something happens too soon, I’ve found my next LOVE. That’s right……I am crazy over Phillip Phillips.

He is AMAZING and HOT! He is a human version of Edward Cullen.

Human Version of Edward Cullen...Phillip Phillips

But, David is still my #1! LOL!!!

When you have a chance, visit our website and vote for the Reader’s Choice Cover Child.

Stay tuned to hear all about Valley Parent and Columbus and the Valley Magazines going digital in July!

We are going to have a HUGE sweepstakes. Be sure to register!!!

Thanks for reading!


Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Why You’re Not Married

Posted on December 8, 2011 by Carol Ann

I have NO idea how nearly 3 months have passed without me writing in my blog. But, between work, the American Red Cross, Festival of Trees and Parenting in Columbus Playgroup as well as having a child, boyfriend, mom and two dogs…well, I’ve just been busy.

I’m STILL busy. I ran across the following article that I HAD to share with you. It’s hysterical.

Why You’re Not Married by Tracy McMillan

You want to get married. It’s taken a while to admit it. Saying it out loud — even in your mind — feels kind of desperate, kind of unfeminist, kind of definitely not you, or at least not any you that you recognize. Because you’re hardly like those girls on TLC saying yes to the dress and you would never compete for a man like those poor actress-wannabes on The Bachelor.

You’ve never dreamt of an aqua-blue ring box.

Then, something happened. Another birthday, maybe. A breakup. Your brother’s wedding. His wife-elect asked you to be a bridesmaid, and suddenly there you were, wondering how in hell you came to be 36-years-old, walking down the aisle wearing something halfway decent from J. Crew that you could totally repurpose with a cute pair of boots and a jean jacket. You started to hate the bride — she was so effing happy — and for the first time ever you began to have feelings about the fact that you’re not married. You never really cared that much before. But suddenly (it was so sudden) you found yourself wondering… Deep, deep breath… Why you’re not married.

Well, I know why.

How? It basically comes down to this: I’ve been married three times. Yes, three. To a very nice MBA at 19; a very nice minister’s son at 32 (and pregnant); and at 40, to a very nice liar and cheater who was just like my dad, if my dad had gone to Harvard instead of doing multiple stints in federal prison.

I was, for some reason, born knowing how to get married. Growing up in foster care is a big part of it. The need for security made me look for very specific traits in the men I dated — traits it turns out lead to marriage a surprisingly high percentage of the time. Without really trying to, I’ve become a sort of jailhouse lawyer of relationships — someone who’s had to do so much work on her own case that I can now help you with yours.

But I won’t lie. The problem is not men, it’s you. Sure, there are lame men out there, but they’re not really standing in your way. Because the fact is — if whatever you’re doing right now was going to get you married, you’d already have a ring on it. So without further ado, let’s look at the top six reasons why you’re not married.

1. You’re a Bitch.
Here’s what I mean by bitch. I mean you’re angry. You probably don’t think you’re angry. You think you’re super smart, or if you’ve been to a lot of therapy, that you’re setting boundaries. But the truth is you’re pissed. At your mom. At the military-industrial complex. At Sarah Palin. And it’s scaring men off.

The deal is: most men just want to marry someone who is nice to them. I am the mother of a 13-year-old boy, which is like living with the single-cell protozoa version of a husband. Here’s what my son wants out of life: macaroni and cheese, a video game, and Kim Kardashian. Have you ever seen Kim Kardashian angry? I didn’t think so. You’ve seen Kim Kardashian smile, wiggle, and make a sex tape. Female anger terrifies men. I know it seems unfair that you have to work around a man’s fear and insecurity in order to get married — but actually, it’s perfect, since working around a man’s fear and insecurity is big part of what you’ll be doing as a wife.

2. You’re Shallow.
When it comes to choosing a husband, only one thing really, truly matters: character. So it stands to reason that a man’s character should be at the top of the list of things you are looking for, right? But if you’re not married, I already know it isn’t. Because if you were looking for a man of character, you would have found one by now. Men of character are, by definition, willing to commit.

Instead, you are looking for someone tall. Or rich. Or someone who knows what an Eames chair is. Unfortunately, this is not the thinking of a wife. This is the thinking of a teenaged girl. And men of character do not want to marry teenaged girls. Because teenage girls are never happy. And they never feel like cooking, either.

3. You’re a Slut.
Hooking up with some guy in a hot tub on a rooftop is fine for the ladies of Jersey Shore — but they’re not trying to get married. You are. Which means, unfortunately, that if you’re having sex outside committed relationships, you will have to stop. Why? Because past a certain age, casual sex is like recreational heroin — it doesn’t stay recreational for long.

That’s due in part to this thing called oxytocin — a bonding hormone that is released when a woman a) nurses her baby and b) has an orgasm — that will totally mess up your casual-sex game. It’s why you can be f**k-buddying with some dude who isn’t even all that great and the next thing you know, you’re totally strung out on him. And you have no idea how it happened. Oxytocin, that’s how it happened. And since nature can’t discriminate between marriage material and Charlie Sheen, you’re going to have to start being way more selective than you are right now.

4. You’re a Liar.
It usually goes something like this: you meet a guy who is cute and likes you, but he’s not really available for a relationship. He has some condition that absolutely precludes his availability, like he’s married, or he gets around town on a skateboard. Or maybe he just comes right out and says something cryptic and open to interpretation like, “I’m not really available for a relationship right now.”

You know if you tell him the truth — that you’re ready for marriage — he will stop calling. Usually that day. And you don’t want that. So you just tell him how perfect this is because you only want to have sex for fun! You love having fun sex! And you don’t want to get in a relationship at all! You swear!
About ten minutes later, the oxytocin kicks in. You start wanting more. But you don’t tell him that. That’s your secret — just between you and 22,000 of your closest girlfriends. Instead, you hang around, having sex with him, waiting for him to figure out that he can’t live without you. I have news: he will never “figure” this out. He already knows he can live without you just fine. And so do you. Or you wouldn’t be lying to him in the first place.

5. You’re Selfish.
If you’re not married, chances are you think a lot about you. You think about your thighs, your outfits, your naso-labial folds. You think about your career, or if you don’t have one, you think about doing yoga teacher training. Sometimes you think about how marrying a wealthy guy — or at least a guy with a really, really good job — would solve all your problems.

Howevs, a good wife, even a halfway decent one, does not spend most of her day thinking about herself. She has too much s**t to do, especially after having kids. This is why you see a lot of celebrity women getting husbands after they adopt. The kids put the woman on notice: Bitch, hello! It’s not all about you anymore! After a year or two of thinking about someone other than herself, suddenly, Brad Pitt or Harrison Ford comes along and decides to significantly other her. Which is also to say — if what you really want is a baby, go get you one. Your husband will be along shortly. Motherhood has a way of weeding out the lotharios.

6. You’re Not Good Enough.
Oh, I don’t think that. You do. I can tell because you’re not looking for a partner who is your equal. No, you want someone better than you are: better looking, better family, better job.

Here is what you need to know: You are enough right this minute. Period. Not understanding this is a major obstacle to getting married, since women who don’t know their own worth make terrible wives. Why? You can fake it for a while, but ultimately you won’t love your spouse any better than you love yourself. Smart men know this.

I see this at my son’s artsy, progressive school. Of 183 kids, maybe six have moms who are as cute as you’re trying to be. They’re attractive, sure. They’re just not objects. Their husbands (wisely) chose them for their character, not their cup size.

Alright, so that’s the bad news. The good news is that I believe every woman who wants to can find a great partner. You’re just going to need to get rid of the idea that marriage will make you happy. It won’t. Once the initial high wears off, you’ll just be you, except with twice as much laundry.

Because ultimately, marriage is not about getting something — it’s about giving it. Strangely, men understand this more than we do. Probably because for them marriage involves sacrificing their most treasured possession — a free-agent penis — and for us, it’s the culmination of a princess fantasy so universal, it built Disneyland.

The bottom line is that marriage is just a long-term opportunity to practice loving someone even when they don’t deserve it. Because most of the time, your messy, farting, macaroni-and-cheese eating man will not be doing what you want him to. But as you give him love anyway — because you have made up your mind to transform yourself into a person who is practicing being kind, deep, virtuous, truthful, giving, and most of all, accepting of your own dear self — you will find that you will experience the very thing you wanted all along:

Love.

Tracy McMillan is a TV writer whose credits include Mad Men and The United States of Tara. Her memoir I Love You and I’m Leaving You Anyway is now available in paperback from Harper Collins/It Books. She lives in Los Angeles with her 13-year-old son.


Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

When all else fails, laugh.

Posted on September 16, 2011 by Carol Ann

What a fantastic week I have had! Friday afternoon, I met with Keep Columbus Beautiful’s Festival of Trees chairs to discuss advertising.

I had the most wonderful conversation with four amazing women. It was a pleasure to not only meet with them, but to also agree to Chair their Public Relations Committee for this year’s River City Festival of Trees. I look forward to working together.

Friday nite I went out to the Ultimate Ladies Night Out at the FOP Lodge. I walked in and was immediately excited by all of the wonderful vendors, music, smells and opportunities to shop!!

Kristin Hicks from Gold Valley Parties was the event coordinator. There were representatives from all over the valley! So many friends!!!

If you want to sell your gold or silver, call Kristin! She will come out and do a party for you. It’s so much fun!!!!

I have to tell you it did my heart good to see women helping women. That has been something I have supported for as long as I can remember. It could have something to do with my upbringing.

Being the daughter of a Korean mother, I learned early on that the phrase “it takes a village” was never more obvious than in our culture.

We all helped each other. Whether it was in business, with money or relationships or even watching out for the other children….I could always count on having a Korean ujema or halmuni right there to help.

This is why it has always been part of who I am. I like to be surrounded by very successful, powerful, compasionate women. I have learned so much from them.

It takes a great deal to intimidate me. This could also be from my upbringing. Being “half and half” or as Cher sang so beautifully a “half breed” as I was often referred to, I had negativity coming from both sides. Not only were we disowned by my father’s side of the family for marrying out of the Jewish faith AND an Asian, but the Koreans disowned us for marrying an American.

It was the strangest thing. In Japan I found comfort from the kindness of the people living on a Military base. But, the trip we took to Korea was horrible!! The vendors on the street were so mean!

I even had one man hold up a frog, lean down to me and cut its legs off and then laugh. I learned later it wasn’t because he didn’t like ME it was because I was half American and considered a “street kid”.

Then, we move to America and what happens??? “Gook, slant eye, Jap..” you name it, I was called it.

I have been told numerous times to go back to my own country. Now to look at me you would NEVER guess something like that would happen. Not here in America!

Oy vey, the stories I could tell. But, that’s not the reason I began this post!!

Today I was reminded of something I went through years and years ago as I began my career in sales. I was working with mostly women. One in particular really disliked me and she didn’t even KNOW me. She just hated me.

I tried every route I could think of to figure it out (as I wanted to move up in management and knew that how I handled this would seriously affect the pace). Finally, I just looked at her and laughed. I laughed and laughed and laughed.

She turned a beet red and asked me what I was laughing about. I said let me ask you a question. Do you really believe that all the negative things you are saying about me to other employees is making you look better? Don’t you think that the people you are speaking with are intelligent enough to see the truth? They are laughing at you!

With that she began to cry. So, I asked her why she hated me so much. Why did she feel compelled to try and make me look bad?

Her response astounded me. “Well, you look like the woman my dad had an affair with”. WHAT????????????????????????? SHE hated ME because I LOOKED like someone else? That’s the most ridiculous thing I had ever heard!!!

The way I handled it was to kindly explain to her that I was sorry that her father had hurt her family so much but that I would never do such a thing to anyone.

Oddly enough that is all it took to change her attitude toward me. Strange, huh? Just laughing opened the door to ending this unnecessary war.

Back to Friday nite. After the Ultimate Ladies Nite Out, I went to Houlihan’s to meetup with some Baker High School buddies! Oh what fun we had. I laughed and laughed. I was sitting with Tammy Segura (from Statefarm) and Lisa Ramsey (from Lisa Ramsey Printing). It was the most fun I’ve had in such a very long time.

After dinner, David (my honey) and I went out dancing. It was a perfect nite.

Today I weighed in for my 3rd time and am happy to report that I am now 8lbs lighter than when I started WW 3 weeks ago. I am slowly but surely losing each week AND I’m learning how to make better food choices.

So, is Morgan sleeping alone yet? No! Robin Crawford (a dear friend from high school) suggested a White Noise machine. We’ll try that, but I’m not holding my breath!

We are still raising funds for the Heroes for the American Red Cross. We have our annual Celebrity Spaghetti Cookoff on Monday, September 26th!! I am selling tickets to this event which will get you not only in the door to all the fun, but also a plate full of amazing pastas along with salad and bread. Even more fun….wine tastings!!!

You can leave a message here or email me, call me, send up smoke signals…just do it soon! If you would like to purchase a ticket but cannot attend, we will give it to a Wounded Warrior from Ft. Benning.

Click HERE to donate online to the Heroes for the American Red Cross.

If you prefer, you may also write a check to the American Red Cross:

Carol Ann Kaplan
CoChair HEROES for the American Red Cross
West Central GA Chapter
3940 Rosemont Drive
Columbus, GA 31904

I will share more with you about the wonderful River City Festival of Trees soon. It’s going to be a festive fun event which EVERYONE should attend!! It will be held at the River Center!! We will be raffling off two uniquely decorated trees and auctioning off the rest!

Thank you to my new wonderful friends….I’m looking forward to getting to know you all better!!

Congratulations to the Dinner Divas, Rachel and Lori, on their Grand Opening today!

A quick shout out to the Parenting in Columbus Playgroup‘s Organizer Team!!! Thank you for all you are doing to bring to fruition our annual Trunk or Treating event AND so many Fall kids events!!!

Mike Venable and Jill Tigner, I hope you are enjoying your mini vaca. God knows you two deserve it!!!

Thanks for reading!!!


Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Perception…Reality?

Posted on September 8, 2011 by Carol Ann

I'm doing the happy dance.

First let me start off by saying hello AND by giving you an update on my Weight Watchers progress.

Today I completed my 2nd week on WW and am down 6.2 pounds. I am flabbergasted. It has been so very easy!! It’s not a strict diet. It is literally eating normal food and lots of it.

I keep thinking there has got to be NO way I will have lost. But, when I step onto the scale there it is.

So, now I am 50.2 lbs away from my goal. Sounds like a lot (and I’m sure it looks that way, too) but I can do it. Slowly. Surely. Not because I’m dieting but because I’m more aware of what I am putting INTO my mouth.

I must have seriously been eating some blind extra calories without even noticing!

What has helped tremendously in learning to eat well is eating at home (which was suggested repeatedly to me by my Aunt Phyllis).

We are now a crockpot family! There is no turning back now. We are in it for the long haul. This is as big a step as a promise ring!!

Every other nite or so, we chop up lots of veggies and create what I call David’s Crock Pot WW Friendly Veggie Delight. It is mmm,mmm, good!!!

This past month I have had to deal with so much drama. I am absolutely SHOCKED by how much of it is actually going on around me which I tried to stay oblivious to.

Guess what???? I opened my eyes and realized that in some of the cases I’m dealing with that I, Carol Ann, am to blame for it!! Good grief. I had NO idea.

I am taking a look at myself through other people’s eyes to better understand why some people think what they do about me.

With help from friends and family and honest perceptions I am learning to “round my corners” so as not to come across so abrasive.

It is not easy to do, but I hear that perception is their reality. So, I want to change their perception so they do not think so little of me and my true intentions.

I’m sure that some of you reading this will assume it is about you. But seriously, the issues I’m facing are far greater than what you think. I am far more concerned about how those who MATTER to me see me and very little about the others.

We cannot please everyone. I can spend my entire life trying to live up to someone else’s expectations, but the reality, MY reality, is that I must be true to myself.

There’s an old quotation from the famous advice columnist Ann Landers which has stuck with me for years: “If you knew how little people thought of you, you wouldn’t worry how little people think of you.” This is really a mantra I’ll have to adopt for myself.

I received a copy of my Last Will and Testament today. What an eye opener it is to SEE a glimpse of life when you are gone.

Today Morgan asked me if I was going to be cremated. I said yes baby. You can carry me around in a bag with you. She said, “Oh now nice. Can I cut off your ears first?” I’ll have to ask her more about that when the shock has worn off.

I did tell her that she could carry me around and drop me all different pretty places she thought I would enjoy. She went on to explain to me that it is merely my body; my soul will be in Heaven. Gotta love 7 year old minds!!

Our cute baby, Zody.

Want more news??? Zody, our poodle puppy had her first period. I’m sure that’s not what it is called. I was completely unprepared. Fortunately David made a diaper run. I honestly thought I was done with diaper duty!! Fortunately Morgan has taken over the caring. I do NOT want to be on diaper duty ever again. I couldn’t even get the doggy diaper on properly.

For some odd reason the doctor who cut Zody’s tail when she was a puppy cut it so short it’s hardly a tail. She has no way to hold the diaper in place.

I will take her to the vet straight away to ensure we don’t have a repeat whenever it is that dogs are supposed to repeat it.

I’ve spent a great deal of my time saving great pictures to Pinterest. I don’t know what it is about saving images I like in one place, but it is fun!!

I’m not sure if this link will work, but here is the link to mine: http://pinterest.com/carolannkaplan2/

If you have a moment visit the Quotes and Funny Pictures Board. It’s hysterical!!!

Well, that’s it for now. Let me know how YOU are doing!!


Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Weight Watchers, Auto Correct and Pinterest! Whatta Week!

Posted on September 1, 2011 by Carol Ann

Drum roll please! Today I weighed in after my first week on Weight Watchers. I am doing the online version. I am allowed 29 PTS daily with 49 to use over a week for additional consumption.

It is easy enough to follow. If you are anywhere near a computer, have and iPhone or iPad, you cannot miss keeping track of what you are eating.

I have noticed that I have cut out many of the bad foods. No more brownies, ice cream, candy, potato chips, sweet teas, diet sodas, bread….I haven’t really noticed that they are gone. I just know that I haven’t seen them in front of me.

I am in this for the long haul, too. Even my child and honey are helping! David is actually counting HIS points, too. I am still giving myself one full year to get down to and maintain my goal weight. I think it is fair.

Today I weighed in 3.4 lbs less!! That sounds so little and at the same time it sounds like alot. I realize the beginning is always easier. But, a loss is a loss no matter what it is!!

Here’s what 3lbs looks like if you haven’t seen it before:

"One pound of fat!"

Multiply this by 3 and it is 3lbs!!! Can you imagine?

"A three pound gummy brain!"

This is actually a 3 lb gummy brain. Wow!!

So, I am going to do a happy dance because I lost!!

Speaking of happy!! I have been laughing to the point of crying since discovering a website called damnyouautocorrect.com For those of you who have smart phones, you will totally understand the meanings. Here’s just one example:

www.damnyouautocorrect.com

There are sooooooo many funny ones. They are not suitable for kids, though. So, be sure you don’t look at it while they are in the room. Let me know your thoughts after you have visited the site.


Another great way I have been spending my time is on Pinterest.

Pinterest is a Virtual Pinboard.

Pinterest lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes.

Best of all, you can browse pinboards created by other people. Browsing pinboards is a fun way to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests. To get started, request an invite and I’ll send it to you.

Example of a Board on Pinterest

Okay, I must go back to work!!! We are closing out October’s issue of Valley Parent magazine and working hard on the Fall issue of Columbus and the Valley.

How fun!!!

How was YOUR week????


Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Just remember, it’s not how many times we fall, it’s how many times we GET BACK up!

Posted on August 29, 2011 by Carol Ann

Last Thursday, August 25th, I decided enough was enough. I have had it with this whining and complaining and horribly uncomfortable feeling of being FAT!!!

I joined Weight Watchers Online. I weighed in at a whopping 186.4. That’s right, it’s not a typo. I, Carol Ann Kaplan, am considered obese. I’m not sure if it said MORBIDLY, but it did say OBESE. How can this be???

This is how I see myself at my current weight!

This is how I see myself at my current weight!


I realize that I’m only 5′ 3″ (okay, okay, 5′ 2 1/4″). I’ve promised myself these things:

1. I will NOT weigh myself every day. I will ONLY weigh myself once a week.

2. I will not become obsessed with counting points. I have seen what this has done to people in the past. It’s scary!!! I will not torture others with my PTS!

3. I will slowly and healthily lose 56 lbs. I am giving myself ONE YEAR!

4. When I hit 50 years of age (and it’s coming soon), I will be at my goal weight and able to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

This is how I see myself at my goal weight.

This is how I see myself at my goal weight.


So, there you have it. I’m afraid to look back on this blog to see if I’ve said these words before. It doesn’t matter, does it? Today is a new day and it is true, it really isn’t how many times you fall; it’s the getting up that is something to be proud of.

I will NOT let this be who I am anymore. I will gain control over what I consume.

I am fortunate to be surrounded by many supportive people. The only people who upset me about being overweight are my immediate family. One because she thinks fat means lazy and she lives in fear that I will wind up unhealthy like my dad.

The other because he told me to “lose weight you fat disgusting pig”. True. Painful, huh? What an ass he is. In any case. I recently saw him and he was looking quite OLD.

I have to admit, for my age, I’m looking pretty darn good. I’m a firm believer that the ugly INSIDE eventually makes its way OUTSIDE. So, I choose to be beautiful inside.

I will keep you posted on my weightloss progress. So, far, Weight Watchers has been the easiest plan to follow. You just punch in what you eat on your computer, iPad or iPhone and it helps keep you on track.

I am learning to think about what I am about to put into my mouth. This has been quite interesting. I didn’t realize the snacks I was adding into my day!! One poptart here, a brownie edge there, a few slices of pizza, chips with my sandwich….

With WW you are allowed to eat as many fresh fruits and veggies as you want. This is AMAZING!!! I’ve found that food tends to taste so much nicer without all the sauces and dips.

My honey, David, is also coming on this journey with me. How fortunate am I to have a man who supports all of my ventures. He even cooks for me!!! We went grocery shopping and he thought about MY needs (as I do not eat land animals) and purchased fish and lots of my favorite fruits and veggies.

David Reneau…..I love you!!!! I can’t imagine my life without you in it!!! Thank you for loving me the way you do…not just with words, but through your actions every day.

Honestly, I could write all day if allowed. I have so much I want to share with you. I just don’t know how interested anyone could really be in me. But, thank you for reading!!

Healthy Tips

Healthy Tips

An update on Mike Venable. He is home and growing stronger every day. Please continue to pray. He has a long road ahead of him. But, he has allot of company with him to help make it more bearable.

Have a great Monday!!!

Easy Guide


Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Where oh where have I been? Summer is OVER!

Posted on August 23, 2011 by Carol Ann


It’s already the end of August. Summer is OVER in my World. This means BACK TO SCHOOL!!

My goodness. I started my new job in May and my life became a whirlwind of excitement. I love it!!!

Valley Parent and Columbus and the Valley magazines are simply the best magazines in the city AND I am representing them.

I am grateful to Callie, Mike and Jill for giving me this opportunity. It seems I haven’t completely lost my marketing touch; even after being out of the industry for 10 years!


Let’s talk about what I have done to my poor child. That’s right. I did it to her. She is 7 years old and cannot sleep in her own bed.

Shocking isn’t it? I am being very open now when I confess to you that I am actually writing this blog entry from HER computer in HER room after spending the last hour trying to convince her that she is okay and will be able to sleep on her own. I’m not 4 feet away from her but she had a complete meltdown.

This comes from many mistakes I made along the way. Well, perhaps they were not mistakes as much as they were well…no, they were mistakes.

1. I breastfed for 4 years.
2. I co slept for okay, well, we are here so that would mean 7 years.
3. I never let Morgan out of my site for more than a few seconds without calling back to her to ask if she is okay. Even today, I’ll be in the living room watching a bit of television while she plays in her room. I call out to her asking if she is okay. “I’m okay, Mom”!

When she showers or bathes not a few moments pass before I ask her if she is okay. “I’m okay, Mom”!

Recently we were at Kohl’s Department Store (my favorite btw) and she was only 3 rows away from me in the children’s section but STILL I asked her if she was okay. “I’m OKAY Mom. I’m right here, three rows away. I’m still here. Here I am. I’m okay”.

I saw a mom and daughter laugh at me. It’s okay. This is how I do it. At least she wasn’t wearing a leash!!

So, I have done my child a great injustice by not allowing her to grow into an independent 7 year old. I can give you every reason in the book, too.

1. I was afraid that if she slept in her own room someone would break in through the window and kidnap her.
2. I was afraid she would fall out of the bed and break her neck.
3. I was afraid someone might break in and do horrible things to her.
4. I was afraid…..well, this could go on and on and on.

Rational? Doubtful. But that is how I felt at the time. I’m certain in retrospect that I was suffering from some type of PPD. I know it was difficult for me to feel bonded with her.

I kept waiting and waiting for the feeling to come over me where you hear the angels singing and everything becomes softened and you feel this incredible love for your baby as you gaze down into their face.

It just didn’t show up. So, I kept plugging along. Doing everything the “book” said to do. Breastfeed, cloth diaper (that didn’t last long), don’t feed solids for 6 months, interact with them early in the morning when their brains are most active, use flashcards…it goes on and on.

I did it all by the book in hopes of one day experiencing “that moment”.

But, alas, it never came. At least not in the way I had imagined. It came slowly and over a great deal of time. It was the moments when I would look at her while she was sleeping and the overwhelming guilt came over me that I was not a good mother and that she was just a sweet girl who wanted to be loved.

Finally, one night my love was tested. I’m not sure if I’ve shared this here and quite honestly I’m on a roll so I don’t want to stop to look it up. But, when we owned the liquor store my mother was attacked in our front yard by two gunmen.

It happened so quickly. Morgan and I leaned out of the side door to greet my mom coming home. She waved at me and suddenly out of NO WHERE two men grabbed her.

My first instinct was to throw my child in the house and lock the door. I started yelling 911. 911. I called the police, but kept the door locked and prayed that my mother would still be alive when they reached us.

I was hysterical. I ran to the front of the house and looked out of the window to see them pulling her this way and that. They were literally trying to tear her apart.

I didn’t know what to do. Do I go out there and try to save her? No, I can’t do that, if they get into the house, they will hurt Morgan. Do I get the gun and shoot through the window? No, I may hit my mom.

The police were taking FOREVER!! Finally I hear banging at the door. My mother freed herself and ran to the door. I let her in and she asked me to get the gun. I ran to get it and she said shoot, shoot.

I couldn’t do it. I could SEE them outside of our window (they had actually left and come back to find their gun) thinking how odd it is that so much time has passed and still no police.

I couldn’t shoot them. I just couldn’t pull the trigger through the window.

They ran off and finally the police showed up. It took me a few days to build up the courage to ask my mother if she was waiting for me to come and save her.

I felt tremendous guilt. My mother had always been my priority. But, in a moment of trial, I chose Morgan. I chose my baby over my mother. That was a changing moment in my life and relationship with her. I realized then that I WAS going to be okay. Morgan may not have the most affectionate mom, but I was going to protect her.

Now, back to the issue at hand. Protecting her got me to where we are today.

By the way, she has passed out from the sound of the keyboard clicking. I’m thinking she will be well on her way to sleeping alone within a week.

I surely could use Super Nanny. In any case, I just wanted to share with you what I was going through at the moment. I was panicking and trying desperately not to get up and spank her for being so scared. That wouldn’t have helped.

With medication (yes, you guessed it; Prozac is my best friend), I have worked through most of the anxieties I have about being a mother.

I am a much happier, calm woman, mother, daughter, friend and girlfriend.

While I have your attention, I would like to ask for you to add Mike Venable and Jill Tigner to your prayers. They are the publishers of Columbus and the Valley and Valley Parent magazines.

They are more than that…they are wonderful people. Mike has cancer. It is not the first battle he has had to fight. Hopefully it will be his last. You can find his blog on Columbus and the Valley. I encourage you to read it. It’s humorous, insightful and just plain good!

Mike and Jill are going through a really tough time right now. So pray. Start prayer chains. Do what you can to make God hear us and heal Mike.

Okay, now I’m sleepy. I hope you enjoyed this very unorganized post. I’m feeling so much better having written it down.


Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Did YOU Know?

Posted on June 9, 2011 by Carol Ann

 

Red Cross Turns Heartbreak Into Hope!

Our community needs you. We touch more than 100,000 people in our area ever year. Families who have lost everything in a fire look to Red Cross for a warm meal, clean clothes, safe shelter and a helping hand. For those who need us now and in the future, please Be a HERO!

Contact me at 770.363.8161

carolannkaplan@att.net

or Mitzi Oxford at mitzisays@msn.com!!



With your help Red Cross will be ready to Save the Day
for disaster victims or military families at any hour, every day.

$1,000 will provide 45 soldiers and their families with emergency messaging services. The Chapter provides an average of 900 crisis connections for soldiers and their families each year.

$1,000 will provide 100 teddy bears for the mental/emotional recovery of children who are impacted by disasters.

$1,000 will provide 570 comfort kits full of personal care items for disaster victims who have lost their homes.

$1,000 will provide 198 blankets or 37 cots for disaster victims who must spend the night in a shelter.

$1,000 will provide groceries for 8 families who have lost their homes to fires or natural disasters.

$1,000 will provide shoes and clothing for 2 families of four who have lost their homes to fires.

$1,000 will provide hotel lodging for 6 families who have lost their homes to fires, tornadoes or other natural disasters.

$1,000 will provide 11,750 disaster preparedness brochures so local community members can be ready by creating a family disaster plan and building a disaster supply kit.

$1,000 will provide materials to train 200 disaster volunteers to be ready to respond to local and national emergencies.

$1,000 will provide CPR and First Aid training for 29 disaster volunteers.

$1,000 will provide 1 disaster nursing kit filled with items needed to provide disaster health services to shelter occupants or for families involved in a large scale disaster.

Red Cross services to help people prevent, prepare for, and cope with disaster, are FREE.

They are part of our promise to be there for people whenever and wherever real or potential emergencies strike.

The Red Cross relies on the compassion, generosity, and trust of our local community for financial support to get the job done.

Right now, the American Red Cross is providing a hot meal and safe shelter for families devastated by tornadoes and flooding in 25 states.

Half a world away, Red Cross continues to support those whoselives were forever changed by a catastrophic earthquake a month ago in Japan.

Every day, right here in our community, Red Cross saves the day for families in crisis and provides an incredible support systemfor military families.

I am asking you to join us in being a HERO for our local Red Cross.

The success of the HEROES campaign is crucial to our local Chapter and the many families in our area who benefit from Red Cross services.

I am committed to doing everything I can to ensurethe success of this campaign and I ask for your help by serving as a SPONSOR HERO.

In this capacity, you would be providing financial support to offset campaign expenses and, in turn, your sponsorship will be showcased in our community.

For 95 years, the West Central Georgia Chapter has served as a HERO to families who lose their home and everything in it to fires and other disasters, military families who rely on the Red Cross 24/7 in times of emergencies, and teaching lifesaving skills, such as CPR, which may give your neighbor a second chance at life.

Whether it’s a hurricane or a heart attack; a call for blood or a call for help, Red Cross is there, providing life-changing services in our community every day.

Columbus and Ft. Benning depend on Red Cross for Help and Hope when it’s needed most—We depend on YOU.

We NEED YOU!!



Please take a moment to watch the story of the West Central Georgia Chapter of the American Red Cross


Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Just when you think you have it all….

Posted on May 4, 2011 by Carol Ann

I'm so very blessed.God sends you even MORE!!! That’s right. You would NOT believe the last couple weeks I’ve had!

First let me say that my back feels GREAT!!! Whatever the doctor gave me worked.   I don’t know if it was my ‘backed up colon’ or just a pulled muscle.  Either way, I’m pain free!!  Yippee!!!!!

When I was living in Atlanta I worked for a company called Dorey Publishing. This was a DREAM job for someone who was really wanting to feel the heartbeat and growth of the city.

I spearheaded a commercial real estate publication called Dorey’s Real Estate Review. It was a trade publication which showed the planned, proposed and under construction new development in the city.

I LOVED THIS JOB!!! I was the VP of Sales and Marketing. Essentially what I did was work with area business owners, brokers, builders, developers….to present their products to their target market….advertising, marketing and most important of all; networking!!

In that job I was able to think outside the box and come up with creative ways to get the right information to the right people. I had a blast.

In 2001 my stepfather fell ill and I came here to Columbus to help my mother care for him.  I had just purchased a condo and had begun renovations on it. I was dating, traveling, living life to its fullest (or so I thought).

Well, what I believe was divine intervention (as I often refer to miracles leading me the way I believe God wants me to go) occurred when Dorey Publishing decided to lay me off!

Think about it, how in the world could I give up a job which paid six figures to come back to a place I didn’t want to be (even if it WAS to help my family)?

There was my answer!! On February 15th, I was given a great severance package. To me, it meant that my place was here in Columbus to help my mother.

So sad!

Sadly on February 24th my stepfather Earl passed away. He had cancer. It was ugly. But, he passed away surrounded by those who loved him. He was not alone.

I remember as if it was today holding his hand and praying while he was taking his last breaths of life.  I remember telling him that everything was going to be okay and promising him that I would look after my mother.  I promised him that she would not be alone. I told him that we would see him soon.

I had read the pamphlet that Columbus Hospice gave to me about the stages of actively dying.  I watched as one by one Earl went through them.

Columbus Hospice and their staff did a wonderful job of not only caring for Earl, but also caring for my mother and the 20 Koreans she had packed into his room.

We were all around him when I told my mother that I believed it was time for him to go.  We called the nurse in.  We all began to pray.  The only prayer I knew was the Lord’s prayer.  I kept repeating it and reminding Earl that we would be together again soon and how I would keep my promise to him.  The Koreans were praying and crying.

Earl took a long deep breath.  Then, he took another one.  Finally, he took one last breath and stopped breathing.  You could literally see the life leave his body.

Angel Sent by GodIt was at that very moment that my belief in God was confirmed.  I FELT him in the room that day.

It was a sad day for those he left behind.  But, now he was no longer suffering.  He was at peace.  He went to a better place where he can help watch over us.

After everyone left the room, I was alone with Earl.  I didn’t know how to feel.  I had not cried once in all the time I was caring for his needs.  Suddenly, I felt the loss and just had to cry.

I missed Earl.He was a great man.  He was a great husband.  He was a great step father.  He was a great friend.  He truly was loved by many.

Following his death, there begins 10 years of what I call karmic payback.

I believe I was being punished because of how much trouble I gave my mother when I was a teenager.

I felt obligated to stay and help her.  It could be the Asian mentality or just the fact that she was my mother and I couldn’t stand to see her in pain.  I really wanted to be here to help.

The thought of my mother walking into her home alone shoots pains deep into my heart. I cringe even now when I think about it.

How could she possibly run a liquor store and manage all of her properties alone?  There was NO way I was going to let that happen.

She said that when Earl passed away half of her body just died. She said he was her best friend.  Soul Mates

She couldn’t eat.  She couldn’t sleep. She couldn’t function.  After time, a long time, she slowly came out of her shock and learned how to live again.

 

Parenting in Columbus Playgroup

Years went by.  I had a child in 2004.   When she was two, I came across a magazine called Valley Parent.    I was excited to see it because I had already created the Parenting in Columbus Playgroup and felt we NEEDED something like this in the city to help us find out what is happening, where to go, what to do….what our options were as parents.

They were looking for an Advertising Executive. Oh how I wanted that job!!!!!   But, alas, I was stuck in the liquor store.  I felt that job would have been perfect for me.

Parenting, Advertising, Sales, Marketing, Networking, Kids….a perfect fit.  I was heartbroken.

Checking my email! Flash forward to a couple weeks ago.  I am always on Facebook.  I mean ALWAYS!  I love Facebook so much I have 2 accounts!!!  One is strickly for gaming.  I have more than 5000 friends on it!! The other one is set up for my personal life.    I am a Social Media FANATIC!

Out of the blue I received an email on my Facebook account from Mike Venable. Yes, THE Mike Venable, Publisher of not only Valley Parent Magazine, but also Columbus and the Valley!!!

Here’s a copy of the message (I am so proud):

Mike Venable April 14 at 11:52am

“Carol Ann,  it is time for us two social media xxxxxs (fill in your own adjective) to meet.   Pick a place and a time and call me out.   I have Rotary on Wednesdays at noon,  so that’s out.  Also have other scattered stuff on my calendar.   We’ll work it out, because we must.   It is time.”

Say WHAT???

Say WHAT???   Oh my goodness.  WHAT did Mike want with ME???  We had never even met.

I replied (trying not to sound too excited):

Carol Ann Kaplan April 14 at 12:16pm

What a wonderful idea!!  Will check my calendar and give several options since I know you are busy, busy, busy.

After a few messages back and forth we finally met for lunch.  If you are looking for a Thai restaurant try Thai Chili. They rocked the Drunken Noodles!!   I could only do a one chili meal where Mike was able to handle two!   Talk about spicy!!

Let me get to the point of this post.  Yesterday was a World Changing Day!!!

One less Terrorist.

We learned that Osama Bin Laden was finally removed from the Earth.  We have been waiting 10 years for this to happen.

AND yesterday, 10 years after coming to Columbus, years after watching a position I wanted desperately pass me by, something I can only describe as divine intervention occurred.

 

Wait for it….wait for it……wait for it…………….

 

I feel so loved!

I started my DREAM job at Columbus and The Valley AND Valley Parent Magazine as an Advertising Executive!!!!

I don’t know what I ever did to deserve so many of God’s blessings, but I am very thankful.

In the last ten years:

  • I was knocked off of my self imposed pedestal and shown what was truly important in life.  It’s not the amount of money you make or where you’ve been or where you live.  It truly is about the relationships you develop.  It’s about loving and caring for your family and friends.  It’s relationships!!
  • I went from a self involved superficial single woman, never wanting to have children or a husband, to a wonderful daughter, loving mother and great girl friend.
  • I’ve had a child.
  • Started a very successful parenting group.
  • Found TRUE love.
  • AND now, received my dream job.

Thank you for your prayers!!!

I asked so many of my friends and family over the years to pray for me and my family.  God heard you!!!  Thank you to all of you who prayed for me to find my way.

I asked God to help me to SEE what his plan was for me.  I am living it now.

I wanted to share this story with you because I am so very happy to be living in Columbus, Georgia.  I am happy to be living near my parents.  I am happy to have been given an opportunity to have a child.  I am happy to have met so many wonderful people since moving back home.

I am happy that I listened and patiently waited (okay that’s pushing it I was quite antsy) while going through all that I needed to go through in order to learn to appreciate what I have.

I love Columbus, Georgia!

Columbus IS my home.  It is where I will be for as long as God wants me here. I have met some life long friends.  I hope to meet more along the way.

Thank YOU for taking time to read my blog.  I still can’t believe I was asked to write one.  Whodathunk that people would be interested in what I had to share about my day to day life.  I read all the emails I receive AND I respond to them all.

If you want to write to me, just do it.  I’m here.  I am accessible.  I am interested in what you have to say.

Social Media + Traditional Print = Successful Business!

In upcoming blogs, I’ll share with you how Valley Parent and Columbus and the Valley Magazines are marrying up with Social Media to bring a comprehensive NOW and TOMORROW marketing plan.

Gone are the days of traditional advertising.  If you are not using Social Media to drive people to your business you are missing out on THE most effective means of communication.

If you are like the MILLIONS of people like me, you are on Facebook all the time!!!

More to come!!!  Can’t wait to share!  If you have a biz and want to discuss it before I get a chance to call you, please call me on my cell at 770.363.8161.

I’ll be more than happy to SHOW you how to market YOUR biz to the people.  Gone are the days of trying to get them to YOU.  YOU must get to THEM.  We can show you how!!!

Please donate TODAY! Ask how YOU can become a HERO for the Red Cross!!

I am blessed.  Oh and if you are reading this on May 4th as I posted it. I’ll be at WTVM from 4:30 – 7:00 tomorrow (Wednesday) working the Telethon for the Disaster Victims!

All you need to do is call in with your pledge to help.  The number is 800.815.6476.  Watch WTVM for more info!!!

 

 

Carol Ann


Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Where does the time go?

Posted on April 28, 2011 by Carol Ann

Time keeps on Ticking, Ticking, Ticking!

There have been so many changes in my life in less than one month. It is amazing to me what a difference a day REALLY does make!

I’ve been asked about how I did on the Couch to 5k and the Celebrity Classic. Well, it didn’t happen! Why? Well, I THINK it happened one nite while I was sitting at the computer. David, my loved one, handed me a drink or some sort of snack. I reached over my body with my right hand to grab it (though my left was closer).

Oh my aching back!!

ZZZZZZZIIIIIIIIIIIIIIPPPPPPPPPPPPP! That’s all I felt. A weird pulling feeling in my back.

The next day, I could barely walk!!!! What the heck had happened?? Surely it wasn’t from one simple little movement????

I took pain meds, used ice, used heat and did lots of stretching. Still the pain wouldn’t subside. So, I took a trip to see Dr. John DiBlasi (my favorite Chiropractor). He did his magic and I felt a wee bit of relief.

Then, David says HIS back is hurting. My pain was in my lower left side. His was in his lower right side. What could this be from???? Yes, we did think that perhaps we may have strained our backs in a moment of passion. But surely that couldn’t be it.

David went to see his family doctor who prescribed muscle relaxers and pain killers. Within 4 days he was back to normal and MY back started acting up again.

I couldn’t take it another moment longer. I had to go see a doctor. So, off I went to see my family doctor. She prescribed pain meds and muscle relaxers and told me that it just ‘happens’ to people when they get to my age. Cue the sad music and bring in the Kleenex!!!

I tried and tried to feel better. I couldn’t stand. I couldn’t sit. I couldn’t lie down. I was MISERABLE!!! I was in so much pain that I thought I would have an anxiety attack!

I was laying on the floor flat on my tummy. I could barely understand where I was. David came home from taking my daughter to school and said I HAD to get some clothes on because he was taking me to another doctor.

I was writhing in pain. I hadn’t slept because I couldn’t find a comfortable position. He helped me with my pants, bra and shoes. He gave me mouthwash to rinse my mouth and brushed my hair. I doused myself with perfume to try to give some sort of impression of cleanliness.

I can’t remember WHERE we went, but we drove by several of the ACE type medical facilities. I waited and waited. I couldn’t sit. I couldn’t stand straight. All I could do was pray that the pain would end.

After some time, I was finally able to see a doctor. After the exam, he took an xray. When he came into the room with the results he was shaking his head. Fear came over me. OMG! What could it be???

All he said was “feces”. I said, excuse me? Again, “feces”. “Your colon is backed up with feces which may be the cause of the pain.”

Out of the corner of the room I heard David say, “I always knew you were full of sh**.”How embarrassing!

I’m not sure how I feel about colonic cleansing.  Fortunately the doctor did not recommend that I get one.  I haven’t even been having any problems that I am aware of.  I don’t eat land animals.  How could this happen??

The doctor did explain that he felt it could be sciatica related. The only remedy was to treat the symptoms and see if it works.

So, he gave me two shots and a prescription for some sort of colon cleanser, an anti inflammatory and a muscle relaxer. He insisted that I try not to take the pain meds unless I HAD to take them. If so, take only half.

By the end of the day I was feeling better.   The next day, even more so.  Finally after three days it’s as if it NEVER happened. I tell you this long detailed story to explain WHY I didn’t finish the Couch to 5k Program.

Okay, so what WAS the cause of this debilitating pain??? No one knows for sure. But, I have a sneaking suspicion it may have something to do with a backed up colon. Yet another sign that I need to take special precautions to change my lifestyle and way of eating to accommodate the aging process.

I do want to say that I am grateful to be alive.  I had pain, but I was alive.  It was curable.  It was temporary.  I am very thankful and am sure to thank God every chance I think of it!

This is sadly not the case of a dear friend of mine, Dr. Dan Stein.  Some of you knew him well.  Others may know him from some of the medical products and advances he is associated with.  To me, he was a dear old friend.   A man who taught me so much about beauty.   Daniel S. Stein, MD FACOG

He died recently.  All I know is that he was found alone.  I was saddened by the news because he seemed to be searching for something which was always there but he couldn’t see it because of his blinding ego.

The last conversation we had was a few months ago.  I told him how happy I was to have found a man who loved me and whom I loved completely.  Dan was so happy for me.   He told me how I was the only woman who never tried to ‘take’ something from him.  He spoke of my integrity and honesty.

I had no idea that this would be our last conversation.  I feel blessed that he reached out to me during a moment in his life when he needed to have someone just listen to him.  He was lonely.  How?  How could a man with so much to offer and so much at his fingertips be lonely?

Well, sadly, he had a tendency to be blinded by his ego.  I don’t know the pain he truly felt inside.  I often wondered if he had been abused early on.  I’m not sure.  But I do know that he passed up so many opportunities to find true and lasting love.  It saddens me to think that he may have never found it.  Or, he lost it along the way.

I will always remember him.  He taught me so very much.  He called me The Keeper of Walden’s Pond because he said I reminded him of the beauty of the home we shared in Alabama.  It was a heavenly place.

Rest in Peace, Dan Stein.  You were loved by many.  You will be remembered.

Heroes for the American Red Cross

I am ALWAYS on Facebook.  But, I NEVER would have thought that people were actually reading my posts.  I tend to go on and on (can you tell?).

I received a message from one of my most favorite television personalities from Columbus, Georgia.  A portion of the message read, “Did I mention I read your blog. You are like a breath of fresh air. I don’t even know you very well and I already love you.”  I couldn’t believe what I was reading.  Did Mitzi Oxford actually say that to ME?  I was ecstatic!!!!  She and I met for lunch to discuss the HEROES for the Red Cross Campaign which benefits the Wounded Warriors and the LOCAL Red Cross!!!

She asked if I would co Chair along side former Mayor Bob Poydasheff the Campaign!!!  Well, HECK YEAH I WOULD.  I love to help out where I can.  I enjoy fund raising and gathering people to spread the word of a great cause!!!  So, I will be posting more soon about the HEROES and how you can get involved!!!!

This month, I not only met Mitzi and Bob Poydasheff (whom btw deserves an entire book of his own), but then I heard from someone whom I have been keeping my eye on for the past few years.  I won’t say just yet who it is.  But, if it all works out as I pray it does, I will have a huge announcement to share with you!!

So, there  you have WHY I haven’t blogged in a while, why I didn’t finish the 5k and why I am so grateful to be alive!!!!

I am a blessed woman.  I have just about everything anyone could want and then some.  How fortunate did I get to find a man who is so perfectly matched with me???  How blessed am I to have a child?   A great family?  Good health?    I am so thankful to be me!!!!

I am so happy I could dance!!!

 

 

 

 


Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment