i love (just check my pinterest page) recipes and flavorful meals but after a career of constantly being on the go and it only bring me, i’m all about the quick and easy – thank you to steamable veggies – another favorite when i do get creative!

so since i’ve had stomach issues as far back as 2007 – I even had a frank (ng) and chlorseptic slushies

- yucky! it can be challenging for me to find food I can digest easily. i’ll stop there to avoid the tmi syndrome.

so i’ve come to love protein shakes. i like the eas powder (thanks aunt cindy) but i’d rather grab and go – plus it’s cold already. also the problem (in my opinion) with some products is the high amount of sugar.

i’ve now found this little gem: glucerna hunger smart shakes. they are for diabetics but for me since my blood sugar can drop so fast anyway these are great!

one can last me 4 hours without getting hungry or to shaky. it’s also a good pairing with fruit (banana) in the am.

they have been a life saver for me. and a perk is my weight loss!

xo

p.s. i’m not getting anything from glucerna and i’m not a nutritionist.

this is the real subject of today’s blog…

yesterday, i asked the question via twitter to fb -

i wonder if anyone reads my blog sometime? i suppose my life is boring. i envy the brave #bloggers that talk about wt, sickness, etc. should i?

got some pretty immediate responses – thanks!

but here’s the question in more than 40 characters that really has been on my mind for the last 6 months or so as i’ve gone through some challenges, ups and downs, struggles, and hilarious adventures….what’s too much to share?

i read all these blogs about weight loss, pregnancy, breast feeding, cancer, infertility, just to name a few and (none are my issues currently) but how do you share without sharing too much?

do people want to know because it helps them too or just because we all want to know:) that little thing called voyeurism.

what about your employer, your ex, your future partner, your kids, you friends, your family??

a). i definitely avoid work topics unless it’s positive because i think it helps people to know the real you and that you do value the time spent with them but the negative stuff – that’s a mine field.

b). dating i keep nondescript in who they are but i have to admit seriously, i wish i had started blogging about my dates before because i have some fuuuuunnnny stories. it’s not to harm just to lighten the mood of taking ourselves so seriously (or at least for me not to take myself so seriously).

c). and of course, i love fashion – shoes, nail polish, hair, make-up, purses! you name it i love it. that goes with movies and books too. i’m not the best at remember to blog about movies and books because i just honestly enjoy them for the pleasure of getting away from the real world for even just 2 hours (hence my love for twilight).

but what about the rest of real life? all the things in between that define us – the ups and downs – when days suck and when we need to have our voice heard.

i think about people who are on a weight loss journey and they post before and after pics. personally, i would rather die than have someone see me in my undies – maybe i’m a prude (haha) but that’s just me – i don’t think they shouldn’t unless they are naked (i don’t need to see that) it’s just not my cup of tea – i give them credit for being brave and forth coming and i know from lots of people it’s helped them.

yet some days, i have so much to say and want to share my story(ies) but then my analytical side (yes, i have that side my dear friends who know me to cry at hallmark commercials) kicks in and i worry once i say it i can’t take it back. and we all have emotional days – i’d hate to send that emotional blog post out….that scream “danger will robinson, danger” = tmi.

i guess that’s the question of the future with the advent of fb, twitter, blogging, and whatever else will come along what is tmi?

i suppose for me it will be a little of…
trial vs. error
comfort vs. fear
insanity vs. reality
funny vs. tacky
appropriate vs. crude

your thoughts?

xo

p.s. i will never be posting pictures of my childbirth experience (if i have one) from a certain particular angle. no worries there or as my friend kbmmss stated yesterday “i don’t need to know about people’s missed periods”. amen.

miss you!
p.s. it was a kiss on the cheek so you don’t get girl cooties:)

empty. lonely. scary.

i’m glad that i know love.

my love today goes to a few of my (extremely dedicated) friends – and their voicemails.

they have been my rock through my struggles over the last two years, especially the last 6 months.

they’ve taken me in, saved me from myself, listened for hours, showed up at my door from 2 to 1500 miles away, and remind me to keep looking ahead…

when i want to give up they are there to make me laugh – often at myself, give me hope and love me for who i am – through my fear and of course the many tears; showing me what they see, when i can’t.

all that and so much more is irreplaceable.

thank you today…
thank you for yesterday…
and thank you for tomorrow.

yet that will never be enough in my book. i only hope you know how much i love you, my dear friends, and that i’d give you my right arm, left arm and heck both legs without even asking.

xoxo

he and i have a special bond.

not to be all proud but he loves his aunt em. i’m a great rocker, make cool sounds, make him smile, and talk baby language up a storm but the best is my innate ability to put him to sleep.

no i’m not even close to his mom
& dad but my mom instinct isn’t void at 35.

they rock in so many ways…
drinks
cupcakes
old from last year’s stash
fresh out of the package
on a stick over an open fire
but oooh the sugar high and the tummy aches:(

lala, her newly minted name by eva, found me the best, perfect, and rad solution…

i have the coolest friends.
BIG loves MBK.
xoxo

but the temp in my apt is one of those areas. summer – complete opposite – i hate to sweat – but winter, i never go above 68 unless it’s in the negatives. so far dc hasn’t even come close.

being from wisconi, i like to think i can handle the cold. for example, it was so mild here last winter i never wore a coat. no lie.

yet i must confess, i’ve been freaking cold the last few days/weeks. most of this, 99.9%, is related to my jacked up thyroid right now, alas that temp hasn’t moved.

so that means, i don:
my flannel pjs – leopard print;)
my knee high marquette socks. mu rah rah!
my nye race sweatshirt. in honor of kaela.

oh, how could i?!? did i forget to mention the HOT chocolate i make starbucks style for my insides?

look good?

look fabulous!

look yummy?

come visit.
my outfit it HOT.
plus, you can see i make a killer drink.
xo

*shoes and purses are exempt. clearly now!

i don’t forget dates…
i remember when both my gp’s passed
my dad obviously
my parent’s wedding anniversary
my mom and jim’s anniversary (3 days ago for 11 years)
birthdays
my friends passing
friends’ kids’ birthday
you name it, 99.9% of the time i remember it.

it’s not always about making sure the whole world knows you know
but what’s in your heart and the amazing memories you have with each individual

so, today i didn’t have much to say until i saw this
and thought my dad would want to celebrate another year gone by with all of our successes and even the trials
for i know he is proud and joyous of us
and yes, even the green bay packers and more so the pulaski red raider marching band!
(no joke – he loved them both – even had vince on his wall in his class room)

so here’s to a better 2012 – please! – i need a good one.
and a nice guy like mr. rodgers (without a sweater)

go pack go!
xoxo

spent the night before christmas until yesterday with my little family…
mom
jim
max (the cat)
packer and riggins (the dogs).

max and i begged out early most nights.

i made treats.

and then i got this fabulous! gift from the u.s. post office courtesy of my brother.

now i’m really looking forward to 2012.
xoxo

one of the best thing about having great friends is their great kids.

i adore all my friends kids – they are all different but man i have to say flo’s little guy joey never quits.

he is ALWAYS smiling. she claims he has his bad days but even when he’s been tired (when i’ve stayed over) he still was happy.

in a world where we focus on our trials (me included too), i love being reminded by all of these sweet kidos that life is wonderful and to be enjoyed.

joey, keep it up little guy. it’s perfect.

today i went from dark chocolate brown with some red to blonde with microscopic pink highlights!

yippie!!!!
i’m in love with it.

oh, did i mention i cut off 5 in?!

by the way, these pics are jamie’s fault as she wanted to see the new do, so this is what she got…

•easy to put on…
•simple to get off with nail polish remover…
•doesn’t ruin your nail beds (not mine)…
•fun prints & solid colors!
•last (me) 2 weeks with tiny chips (can’t even tell) – with lots of hand washing…
•plus i can do it myself (cheap-o)!

take a look at my latest…
and then try them out (nope i’m not a sponsor just a fan).

you have NO idea how excited i am to see my family and friends. it’s been so long – almost 2 years really.
i needed to go home and get a breath of fresh air.

i can’t wait for the laughter, craziness, reminiscing, eating, and driving up and down the state to be sure to hit all the loves.

watch out wisconsin – here i come!
the only thing better would be if mom were coming with…
xoxo

all high-end manufactures…
pottery barn
crate & barrel
macy’s

crate & barrel hot pink clara chair – http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/fuo/2740010787.html

crate & barrel azure sofa – http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/fuo/2740025054.html

light yellow pottery barn marcel ottomans – http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/fuo/2740045257.html

pottery barn black antique trundle bed – http://morgantown.craigslist.org/fuo/2740050347.html

pottery barn off-white shelving unit – http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/fuo/2740017249.html

macy’s queen-sized chocolate brown bedroom set – http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/fuo/2740059321.html

sparkly and adorned with cupcakes!
my only complaint is it’s not lime green – my favorite color.

my colleagues are sweet for sending this to me.
made me happy today.
xoxo

my buddy “auntie em” has been with me and my mom all week. she loves me so i figured i’d give her a good zoolander look.

i’m a lucky little guy, not only am I cute but so many people love me.
xoxo

since then i’m had the honor – true honor – to serve him, his mom and his dad.
as much as i have done little things for them – they have done much more for me.

this is a true blessing from the Lord
i know He lives.

p.s. i’d show you the rocking video of jodi singing to thomas but she’d kill me – just know it’s priceless.
xoxo

friday night/saturday morning a large portion of the town went up in flames – 5 buildings.

pray for those without places to live, lost their businesses and the first responders who risked their lives and were injured.

the bowling ally where we went for gym class is just one of the buildings with so many memories, now gone.

the picture below is from the pulaski news.
you can see the church spire and the same christmas poll decorations that i knew for 18 years.

here is a video taken on the scene.

if you’d like to help…

by green bay press-gazette

Spread the word: The Pulaski Community School District, in conjunction with the Pulaski Outreach Center, will be accepting new and gently used clothing, food, toiletries, household items and financial donations to assist community members affected by this morning’s fire. Donations may be dropped off in person at the Lunch with Santa event being held at Pulaski High School from noon-2 p.m. Sunday.You can also bring donations during the school week to the PACE office located in Glenbrook Elementary School, or mail them to PACE at P.O. Box 36 Pulaski, WI 54162.

Displaced residents or those with questions about the collection may contact the PACE office at (920)822-6050 for assistance.

my heart aches for my home and our community.
xoxo

chocolate batter with peanut butter cups baked inside -
using my new pan that holds the inside goodies in place and
doesn’t drop them to the bottom to burn!!!

topped with vanilla butter cream
and green and yellow “sixlets“

bummer you can’t see the cute birthday cupcake liners though

how i love my green bay packers…but my mom even more!

xoxoxo

who happens to be in this picture and is now 59.
can you guess?

just wait until next year. when it’s the big 60.
happy birthday mom!!
love you.

xoxo

 1 The ends of the earth shall inquire after thy ^aname, and fools shall have thee in ^bderision, and hell shall rage against thee; 2 While the pure in heart, and the wise, and the noble, and the virtuous, shall seek ^acounsel, and authority, and blessings constantly from under thy hand. 3 And thy ^apeople shall never be turned against thee by the testimony of traitors. 4 And although their influence shall cast thee into trouble, and into bars and walls, thou shalt be had in ^ahonor; and but for a small ^bmoment and thy voice shall be more terrible in the midst of thine enemies than the fierce ^clion, because of thy righteousness; and thy God shall stand by thee forever and ever. 5 If thou art called to pass through ^atribulation; if thou art in perils among false brethren; if thou art in ^bperils among robbers; if thou art in perils by land or by sea; 6 If thou art ^aaccused with all manner of false accusations; if thine enemies fall upon thee; if they tear thee from the society of thy father and mother and brethren and sisters; and if with a drawn sword thine enemies tear thee from the bosom of thy wife, and of thine offspring, and thine elder son, although but six years of age, shall cling to thy garments, and shall say, My father, my father, why can’t you stay with us? O, my father, what are the men going to do with you? and if then he shall be thrust from thee by the sword, and thou be dragged to ^bprison, and thine enemies prowl around thee like ^cwolves for the blood of the lamb; 7 And if thou shouldst be cast into the ^apit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the ^bdeep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to ^chedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of ^dhell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee ^eexperience, and shall be for thy good. 8 The ^aSon of Man hath ^bdescended below them all. Art thou greater than he? 9 Therefore, ^ahold on thy way, and the priesthood shall ^bremainwith thee; for their ^cbounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy ^ddaysare known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore,^efear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever. - Doctrine and Covenants 122 

the nitty gritty details aren’t important as i’m sure and i know we all have our trials
some way bigger than mine and some smaller
but none are less important to the individual and their loved ones.

as i thought back on all of my feelings…as I
struggled
cried
laughed
felt sorry for myself
got angry
forgave – myself and a few others
and finally go up enough one day just to crawl…

i’d been working on standing tall again and walking with my head raised
last week, i had to put that one in full swing.
once i did i realized i went had gone far beyond walking to even a little run.
how great it is for the tender mercies in my life to show me what i was missing.

…that the Lord’s tender mercies are the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindnesses, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ. Truly, the Lord suits “his mercies according to the conditions of the children of men” (D&C 46:15)…Recall how the Savior instructed His Apostles that He would not leave them comfortless. Not only would He send “another Comforter” (John 14:16), even the Holy Ghost, but the Savior said that He would come to them (see John 14:18). Let me suggest that one of the ways whereby the Savior comes to each of us is through His abundant and tender mercies. For instance, as you and I face challenges and tests in our lives, the gift of faith and an appropriate sense of personal confidence that reaches beyond our own capacity are two examples of the tender mercies of the Lord. Repentance and forgiveness of sins and peace of conscience are examples of the tender mercies of the Lord. And the persistence and the fortitude that enable us to press forward with cheerfulness through physical limitations and spiritual difficulties are examples of the tender mercies of the Lord….We should not underestimate or overlook the power of the Lord’s tender mercies. The simpleness, the sweetness, and the constancy of the tender mercies of the Lord will do much to fortify and protect us in the troubled times in which we do now and will yet live. When words cannot provide the solace we need or express the joy we feel, when it is simply futile to attempt to explain that which is unexplainable, when logic and reason cannot yield adequate understanding about the injustices and inequities of life, when mortal experience and evaluation are insufficient to produce a desired outcome, and when it seems that perhaps we are so totally alone, truly we are blessed by the tender mercies of the Lord and made mighty even unto the power of deliverance (see 1 Ne. 1:20). – David A. Bednar

as much as i’m back to being my old self
i’m ok if i trip and fall
because i am carried by the one
and so many other if at a moment i’m unable.

He saw people “pressing forward” on the strait and narrow path—that is, trying to be faithful. But some of them “wandered off and were lost” (v. 23). Some made it to the tree of life but then “were ashamed, because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost” (v. 28). Others succeeded; they “did press their way forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree” (v. 30). The fruit of the tree represents the love of God—the blessings of the Atonement of Jesus Christ…Press forward. Nephi explains: “Ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life” (2 Nephi 31:20)…Hold fast to the iron rod. Nephi said the iron rod is “the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away” (1 Nephi 15:24)…Partake of the fruit of the tree. To partake of the fruit means to feel the love of God in your life. You can pray to feel that love, and you can repent, allowing the Atonement to bless your life. - 1 Nephi 8 

i believe that family for many can be defined in many ways
i have a “normal – traditional” family but without my other “families” i wouldn’t be me.

i am grateful for all of them.
xoxo

]]> http://www.emilylitt.com/blog1/2011/11/23/a-story-of-family/feed/ 0 http://www.emilylitt.com/blog1/2011/11/22/a-story-of-friendship/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=a-story-of-friendship http://www.emilylitt.com/blog1/2011/11/22/a-story-of-friendship/#comments Tue, 22 Nov 2011 22:30:14 +0000 emily http://www.emilylitt.com/blog1/?p=5572 laughs…arguments…life choices…diverging paths…acceptance…honesty…raw emotion…standing by…
tough love…coming back…stories…dreams…picking up and carrying on…tricks and treats.

there are films that clearly remind you of growing up
college days – come and gone
playing hard and hardly playing
working and working more
heartache and heartfelt blessings
loss and growth
and of course lots of laughs.

and then of course there is the real thing.

the thing that can get you through the day, the week or even the month.
the ones that are your sisters, brothers, and confidants.
they know.

i’m so blessed to have friends that have given me so much.
xoxo