The gift that keeps on giving...

You might say that I'm somewhat of a cheapskate. I mean, I can't even 

remember the last time that I bought a pair of sunglasses, but somehow 

I always seem to have some.  

The other day would've been an especially devastating one had I not 

been half asleep. All I remember is someone saying, "Kara, your glasses

are broken," and I simply shrugged it off in an attempt to  fall into a deep 

sleep. It was only a few days later that the realization really sunk in as 

the sun gleamed into my eyes.

 At that point I was with my dear husband, whom I had just bought some

 really nice, expensive Ray Ban's for Christmas. I told him what had 

happened to my poor glasses and he informed me that I would  just have

 to find myself another pair, that is after he offered to buy me some Ray

 Ban's.  

Ironically, that very night at work, luck was on my side. Not only did I 

find myself another pair of sunglasses, but they happened to be Ray Ban's. 

Ha ha.   

Perhaps I will never have to buy myself another pair of sunglasses... EVER!

What time is it?

What have you done today? How much time have you wasted? Everyone is always saying, "I don't have time." But how true is that really. Let's take a look.

According to a survey done in 2009 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this is how the average person spends their day:

7.7 hours - sleeping

8.7 hours - working

1.1 hours - household activities

1.1 hours - eating and drinking

That leaves 5.4 hours for other stuff!

"Day, n. A period of twenty-four hours, mostly misspent."

 -Ambrose Bierce

What would you do if you had a little bit more time in your day? Exercise more? Cook more? Read more? I honestly believe one of the biggest reasons that people don't reach their goals and aren't more successful is because of their lack of time management. I'm not the only one that thinks this either.

"Men talk of killing time, while time quietly kills them."

-Dion Boucicault 

"Time is what we want most, but... what we use worst."

-William Penn 

"Let him who would enjoy a good future waste none of his present."

-Roger Babson

Life isn't going to wait for you to decide to jump on board. It keeps going with or without you. Don't waste your precious time. What does that song say? Are we murderers because we kill time? I think so. Think of one thing you've been putting off and make some time to do it today.

"Time goes, you say? Ah no!

Alas, Time stays, we go."

-Henry Austin Dobson 

Green olives, Angelina, and Taco Bell...

So it's been awhile. I guess that somehow happens when a baby is on the way. That's right. I'm pregnant! 9 weeks. Which means my sweet baby is about the size of a green olive. Every day I've been meaning to get on here, but somehow it was never at the top of my list... until today.

Last night I had a very bizarre dream. It went something like this.....

I was at a very strange cabin in the middle of the woods with my husband and his family. I suppose we were on some sort of a vacation there. It was pretty cool. But the most impressive part, was in the attic. As I climbed the ladder, I saw rows and rows of standup freezers. And what was in them? Taco Bell products. It was like a Taco Bell Costco. Amazing! And everything was so cheap because it was in bulk.
(**First thing, I eat too much Taco Bell**)

Then we went out back and there was a nice pool with several people lounging around it. As I looked closer, I realized it was none other than Angelina Jolie and some of her friends. I was so ecstatic about running into her like that. We were trying to get a picture with her, but she got distracted by one of my friends. She started going on and on about how good she looked, and she was so thin and in shape. So I decided to ask Angelina what she thought of me. Big mistake. She started picking me apart, one flaw at a time. And ended up telling me that I wasn't very thin at all. That conversation ended with me in tears of course.
(**Second thing, I think I'm getting chubby**)

And that was that. I have a feeling that there will be many more strange dreams on the way. So that is why I am slightly changing the dynamic of this blog. I've always tried to put it in a box, categorize my writing, like with karalynne's cakery. However, since I've been pregnant, I have no appetite for sweets and the thought of baking slightly nauseates me. It's pretty bad. So that part of me is just going to have to wait a while. I do not want to stop blogging though. So this is what this blog will be now..... Ever Evolving!

So much to do....

As this Friday comes to a close, the next week is going to be filled with cooking, baking, and cleaning, and of course some much anticipated time with family and friends. I'm looking forward to throwing in some christmas movies and just relaxing, but until then...

I've got to get my house in order before the in-laws get here. I need to plan out all my baking adventures. So far I plan on making a caramel apple cake for my work Thanksgiving Luncheon. Then I need to make desserts for both family Thanksgiving dinners. Not sure on the specifics yet, but will definitely post some pictures. Hope everyone is enjoying the anticipation of Thanksgiving around the corner. Let me know what kind of Thanksgiving treats your family is having this year.

When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around! -Willie Nelson

This is the time of year that people always begin to look back and remember how blessed they are and how much they have to be thankful for. I'm in that same boat. I know how easy it is to think you've got it bad, but let's take a moment to remember what happened in 2010....

January 12 - 7.0-Magnitude Earthquake Devastates Haiti, causing severe damage. 
The Haitian Government estimated the total number of deaths to 230,000. In addition, more than 250,000 people were injured and 2 million were homeless in the nation of 9 million. 

February 27 - Chile Hit By 8.8 Magnitude Earthquake.

Fatalities were relatively low, with some 750 people killed in the devastation. However, as many as 1.5 million people were displaced.

April 14 - Earthquake in China Kills Hundreds, Injures 10,000.

A 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck China, killing at least 400 people and injuring another 10,000.

May 27 - Biggest Oil Spill in History.

An oil rig exploded and gushed for 95 continuous days and spilled nearly 200 million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico.

July 30 - Pakistan Floods. 

After two weeks of massive flooding in Pakistan, the UN estimated at least 1,600 people were killed and 14 million displaced from their homes.

October 13 - 33 Trapped Chilean Miners Rescued.

After spending 68 days trapped in a mine half a mile underground, and a massive, multi-million dollar rescue operation, all 33 Chilean miners are pulled to safety.

Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough  -- Oprah Winfrey 

 I am incredibly thankful for so much this year:

1. My wonderful husband
2. My amazing family and friends that are always there for me
3. A nice little apartment to call home
4. A sweet kitty that always is there to greet me at the door
5. Two good jobs with great coworkers
6. My 2 nephews and a 3rd on the way
7. Fall leaves and fall colors.... sweaters and a hot cup of coffee
8. Two running cars that I don't owe money on
9. The joy of baking and making treats
10. Health, wealth, and happiness! (ok, so we're still working on the wealth part :)

What are you thankful for this season?

The best of the best!

It was both of my parents' birthdays this past weekend. Needless to say when I asked my mom and dad what kind of cake they wanted, they didn't agree. My dear mother was quick to tell me that she wanted a lemon cake, while my dad was set on a chocolate pudding cake. So what was I to do but to make both!

Lemon-filled lemon cupcakes with raspberries on top, not only were they pleasing to the eye, but they were quite tasty too (that is if you like lemon). And the chocolate pudding layered cake... there are no words. It was to die for. I guess there are words: simply delicious.

I have several more birthdays coming up in the near future, so stay tuned!

What is it about Mondays?

It's just one of those days. You know the kind I'm talking about. Even though you woke up early and did everything you always do every morning, you still look like crap. Ok, so I cried this morning. But it wasn't like I bawled my eyes out, just a few tears that ran down my cheeks. I had to hold it together. However, when I got to work and finally looked in the mirror, it's as if my soul had been crying all along and it showed on my face. Yep, just one of those days.....

“Some days are for living. Others are for getting through.”

- Malcolm Forbes