Love My Crock Pot

So for dinner I decided to make home made beef stew from my crock pot.

Ingredients
* McCormick beef stew seasoning packet
* pre sliced beef( already sliced and ready to go)
* sliced up green bell pepper, onion , fresh garlic, red potatoes, carrots
* seasoned with a little bit of salt and pepper

The instructions are on the back of the McCormick season package. I cooked my stew for a hour 4 hours on high! It turned out delicious , but next time I am planning to use a roast.

Enjoy
Bon Appetite

Xoxo- Christina

Now and Then..My Story

Have you ever been in a relationship that seemed normal but from the outside seemed totally CRAZY? It has been about 5 years since I have actually been in a relationship that seemed normal to me, but really wasn’t. I feel like it is time for me to share my story of how I’ve become the person that I am. About five years ago I was in a relationship with my daughter’s dad. We were young and in love, so I thought. We had our ups and downs, but I was so blinded by my love for him that I didn’t see what was going on. Let’s just say ANYTHING you could do wrong to a person in a relationship he did with flying colors. I think back now and could literally kick myself in the butt because he treated me so wrong. Once I realized that I was in an abusive relationship I knew it was going to take all that I had to move on and regain my strength as a woman. I loved him so much that I convinced myself that he would change, but need less to say he NEVER did. I was embarrassed and couldn’t believe that this was happening to me. Since then I have gained the strength and confidence I lost years ago. I am here to say that if you read this and are/or going through the same thing I went through that there is HOPE! I know it is hard and you feel lost, but just remember that you can change the situation you are in. There is help out there for women that are in abusive relationships, whether it is verbal, emotional or physical. If anything please don’t hesitate to contact me for support if leaving is not an option yet. I am glad that things ended the way it did because I am now strong enough to stand up to any man. Don’t get me wrong I still have issues trusting guys, but that comes with time. I still struggle with the walls I’ve built up, but I still have hope that there is someone out there that can tear those walls down.

I hope this sheds some light on your situation and I am here ALWAYS

xoxo-Christina

2013 IS THE YEAR !!

So it is the year 2013 and to be quite honest I can’t believe it is finally here. Trying to wrap my mind that it has been 13 years since 2000 came upon us. To think the world should of ended last month. Whew I am glad that I lived to actually tell about it. LOL

So I have already cut my hair and added highlights to add to the new year, which in fact I feel pretty darn good about it. This year I want to make a difference. I know everyone says this when a new year comes around, but I MEAN IT!!

There is so much that I want to accomplish and well I feel 2013 is THE YEAR!

For starters I want to be more involved with my blog. I haven’t blogged as much as I should, but I feel confident that I can make my blog as successful as any other blogs out there. My passion for writing burns deep within my heart and I shouldn’t be afraid of it. You like that, haha it was pretty heart felt if I say so myself. I also want to invest in my first Canon XSI. My mom got a more expensive one for Christmas and I automatically fell in love. I think I have a talent for photography that needs to grow as well and what more exciting than to incorporate the two.

Secondly, I want to also find the time to travel as much as I can which means SAVING $$$. It is important to me to see the beauties of this world while I only have this one life to live, plus I want to also give my daughter the memories she deserves.

Here is my Travel To Do List:

• Los Angeles- to see all that it has to offer
• Colorado- ski and hike
• Grand Canyon- Always wanted to see
• Mount Rushmore- Always wanted to see
• Hawaii- I heard every day is like paradise over there
• Phillpines- to see my other family
• Paris- to fall in love
• Italy- to really taste REAL Italian food
• PLUS SO MUCH MORE

I also want to slim down before bikini weather comes. This will be the biggest struggle, but I feel that this year will be my year to accomplish all my goals.

And to conclude this evenings post I also wanted to include my small ongoing debt that I have had since I was a late teenager. Today’s world is only going to get more dificult and I need to be more prepared for myself and daughter. SAVE SAVE SAVE and making wiser decisions.

Overall, I believe that this year will be the turning point of something great. Deep down I know what I want for my life, but right now I need to tie up some loose ends inorder to get EXACTLY what I want. Stay tuned for more of my blogging. Hope you will continue this journey with me.

xoxo- Christina

The Best Weekend EVER

Perfect weather, funnel cakes, and tons of  rides brings me back to my childhood days. Although I was never tall enough to ride the “so much more fun” rides I still enjoyed myself. Even though I am 28 years old I still realized that my “motherly instinct” kicked in on EVERY ride I was on. I kept thinking i was going to become part of a freak accident, but even though my emotions were mixed with fear and excitement I still enjoyed every ride EXCEPT the zipper. I swear this ride made me feel like I was involved in a car accident. Hello, where are the air bags?! LOL. At the end of the night I was happy, tired and full of fair food.

The next day I ventured out to the Flea Market and I must say I will never buy fruit or vegetables a grocery store again. I spent $20 on vegetables to last me two weeks. As a single mom that is something to brag about!

Later that night I went to a concert and fell in love with Ryan Cabrera, Rookie of the Year and Mikey Deleasa!!

These guys were AWESOME!!!

I love weekends like this because I am able to just relax and enjoy my free time which I rarely have. I always believe in LIVING to the FULLEST!!!!

My American Dream

It’s been awhile since I blogged and it has been long overdue. Since I last blogged I have been adjusting to my new job and let’s just say I’ve learned a lot about people and their personalities. Alexis has adjusted well to Kindergarten, which makes me very happy.

This weekend was filled with so much fun hanging with family and enjoying the perfect autumn weather. My family and I ate at Joseph’s Pizza in  Jacksonville Beach and after that we walked on the beach watching the U.S. Navy Blue Angels fly over the ocean! It was AWESOME!

Looking over the horizon seeing the group of boats of all different sizes watching the air show made me think of a life I often dream about. My version of living the “American Dream.” We all have our dreams of the life we want to live, but mine is very special to me. My dream consists of a wonderful husband, beautiful kids, traveling, loving home and the luxury of being able to live a comfortable life with out any financial worries.My feelings are so strong when I think of this life I want to live. Every night I wish for my very own version of the “American Dream.”

Nowadays finding a good man is  so far and few between because it seems life males these days just want to drink and party all the time. Where are all the men who value a good woman and know how to focus on one relationship than having that infamous wondering eye. I pray everyday that I’ll come across the perfect man for me and my daughter.

The holidays are just around the corner and I am so excited for this year to end because I know next year will be just as amazing! Laters for now

xoxo- Christina

New Job, New Me, New Everything

As summer comes to an end, a new chapter is just around the corner. In just a few weeks my precious, soon to be 6 years old daughter starts her first day of kindergarten and I couldn’t be anymore nervous. I swear those butterflies are flying in swarms, fluttering around in my stomach in full force. As for Alexis starting a new school and meeting new friends is just a walk in the park for her.
Recently I started a new job and so far leaving my last job has been the best decision I’ve made thus far. My stress level has decreased significantly and everyday goes by as smoothly as the first. They say the grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence. Well not only is the grass greener , but the sun is brighter and every day is just what I’ve hoped for.
I am still struggling with my weight, but on the bright side I haven’t had to take my anti-depressant since I’ve started my new job, so hopefully those extra pounds will diminish.
So far I feel like I am in a better place and that makes me a happy mama!

Summertime is Where the Heart is

Summers in Florida can get pretty gruesome and when I say this I mean it in the most literal way. Humidity that turns your perfectly styled hair into a wavy frizzy mess, tropical storms causing mini floods and rain almost everyday can make anyone re-think there residency as a Floridian. For the most part I have always enjoyed summer, but this time marks the beginning of a new chapter. There comes a happy medium that makes frizzy hair  and drenched flip-flops(because all Floridians wear are flip-flops)  more desirable. We have the beach when we want that perfect sun-kissed tan and also the St. Johns River for fish lovers to spend the day out on the boat or play around on jet-ski’s with awesome friends and family. This summer marks the beginning of a new chapter for me and my little princess.  In almost a month my daughter will begin the next chapter of her precious life as a kindergartner. As a mother I wanted to make sure that her summer was AMAZING. Since I am a working mom she is lucky enough to spend the week at my parents house. So far she is having the best summer any 5 year old could ask for.

Summer Time 2012

My 4th of July was spent with family, good food and delicious Coconut creme pie ( YUMMY!)

Life Is good.

More SUMMERTIME MOMENTS TO COME!

xoxo-Christina