What Lies Within Us .....

We are all different people inside and out. Sometimes it is evident what lies with us, but sometimes it is not. The elements within us can be strong enough to make life more clear and much more positive towards our life goals. We should not let the past bother us or even worry what our future holds. Neither is as important as who we are deep inside our soul. The person inside each of us will help overcome both the past and the future worries. Live the simple life .... step up to the plate, make a brighter future. Dream big and live life to the fullest. Be happy!

I absolutely love this quote ....

Does Fall Cleaning Help De-Clutter Your Mind?

I just read an interesting article about how having clutter in your home stops the energy from flowing. If energy cannot flow through your home, then significant parts of our lives will suffer. Do you have the feeling of being "stuck"? If so, maybe you need to de-clutter.

Each semester before I start back to college, I clean my office top to bottom. I vacuum, dust, organize and give everything a home. This has to be done before sitting down in front of my computer on the very first day of class. Why? Honestly, I never gave it much thought until I read this article. I'm starting to think I needed that energy flow in order to be productive. Getting rid of clutter and unfinished projects can help break the pattern and get you unstuck. But if all else fails, there is always COFFEE :)

For more information, you can read this article: 5 Items to Remove From Your Life Right Now. 

The Perfect Writers Retreat . . .

What would you consider the perfect writers retreat? I thought I'd share a few ideas to jump start your daily writing . . .


We would start off with a fabulous little house on the beach . . .

Maybe some chocolate along the way to get those creative juices flowing . . .

Lots of coffee and/or hot chocolate to keep us awake . . .

A much needed break of shoe shopping is required . . .

And finally a fire house drive by for some inspiration in hopes of a peek at McDreamy in his turnout gear before heading back to the key board.

My friend Mary Kate inspired this blog post. Thanks Mary Kate :)
You can find Mary Kate at marykatekopec.com

A Day Without Facebook Is A Day Without Crack ... Are You Addicted?

Signs you are addicted to Facebook . . . 

You find yourself continuously reheating the same cup of coffee because you were too busy scrolling down the home page.

You want to throw the computer out the window because you are stuck on level 147 of candy crush for the third week in a row.

When you're out with friends and you keep updating your status instead of enjoying the people sitting next to you.

Your family has to log on facebook to know where to find you.

When you LOL more at a computer screen than the people around you.

When you search facebook to get ideas for dinner.

When hanging out with your friends on a Friday night really means hanging out on facebook.

You get excited when someone pokes you.

You are driven crazy until you take the quiz to find out your stripper name.

You take at least 20 selfies until you get just the right one for your new profile picture.

   

You take the quiz "Are you a Facebook Addict" more than once.

110 Thoughts Every Girl Has . . .

My daughter came across this post on facebook and I LMAO when she read it to me and just knew everyone would love this too.

110 Thoughts Every Girl Has While Building A Froyo . . . 

1. You know what sounds nice? Froyo.

2. But should I really? Yes. It’s hot, froyo is a weather-friendly snack.

3. I was really supposed to be sticking to my diet…

4. Tart is totally healthy, so I can do this.

5. Celebrities do it, so it’s completely diet-approved.

6. I feel so Britney right now.

7. They’re skinny, so eating froyo will make me skinny too.

8. That’s right, I’m gonna stick to tart, and only add a few pieces of fruit.

9. Fruit is also healthy.

10. I wonder if they added any flavors since I was here last.

11. Ah, they added Cookies ‘N Cream. I don’t think they had that yesterday.

12. Wow this cup is really big. Do they actually think I’m gonna fill this whole cup?

13.Huh, they have Birthday Cake too.

14. Oh my god. Red Velvet. I have to stock up.

15. I’m gonna grab a few sample cups, ya never know what might be tasty.

16. Three cups should do it…Who are we kidding? Six. I’ll do six.

17. God bless, they brought Peanut Butter Cup back

18. Only a few samples, and then I’ll definitely just get tart.

19. WHOAH Graham Cracker is certainly a game changer.

20. Who the fuck thought Green Tea was a good flavor? Kill it! Kill it with fire!

21. What is Taro? Isn’t that some sort of mind reading voodoo?

22. LOL FRUIT FLAVORS CAN KISS MY ASS.

23. Who comes into froyo and is like, ya know what? I want a sorbet flavor.

24. Fuck sorbet.

25. Why is sorbet even a thing? It’s like the retarded cousin of actual ice cream.

26. Oh wait…lactose intolerant people need that.

27. I bet I’m lactose intolerant. My stomach gets upset when I have too much milk.

28. Definitely a lactard. But that’s okay, I’m strong enough to handle one cup of froyo.

29. I totally know I’m gluten-free too. Bagels make me constipated.

30. I should Web MD my symptoms.

31. Well that’s thoughtful of this place to have sorbet flavors. But only 2. 2 MAX.

32. Too many sorbet flavors would waste space for the actual flavors.

33. Back to the challenge at hand.

34. Oh my god that person got sugar free Prailine who does that?????

35. Diabetics. God I’m such a bitch.

36. I bet it has less calories though…

37. I’m gonna try it.

38. Wow that’s actually really good. Maybe you’ll get space in my cup later Prailine.

39. Huh, is that fudge brownie flavor any good you think? Oh it’s good. Damn that is fresh.

40. Okay, so I’m gonna save tart for next time because I deserve a treat tonight.

41. Alright, just one sample of the tart so I’ve paid my respects.

42. That is a tad more tart than I remember. Birthday Cake was not that tart.

43. Just one flavor…uhhh okay. Birthday Cake.

44. YOU HAVE BEEN CHOSEN FIRST! You are the evening winner!

45. Winner winner froyo dinner!

46. But wait…ugh I def need that Cookies ‘N Cream too.

47. They took so pretty, all happy and snuggly next to each other.

48. And lonely. Why so lonely little fro? Do you need another friend?

49. ADDITION OF GRAHAM CRACKER IT IS!!

50. I see you Green Tea, tryna contaminate my cup. Never gonna happen. You taste like kitty litter.

51. Wow, this looks like a lot of yogurt. Guess I filled up the cup.

52. Maybe this is why the cups are so big.

53. I should really brighten it up with one more…the other colors are kind of blah-looking

54. No offense other three flavors, I respect you.

55. LET’S GO RED VELVET, BRING IT HOME!!

56. Wow that’s an ambitious cup.

57. No biggie, I’ll still be healthy with fruit. Fruit will save me.

58. Plus the guy next to me got a little more, so I’m for sure not the fattest kid in this place

59. Okay, obviously start with strawberries because they’re the king of the froyo fruit options.

60. Pineapple too, gotta love pineapple.

61. Do I want kiwis? Why is that one kind of brown? And will green look weird on my yogurt?

62. Those mangos are DEFINITELY not ripe enough. I’d crack a tooth on that one.

63. Did they stomp on the blueberries before they put them in there? I could make a blueberry mash with those. Maybe I can pocket a few and use them for muffins tomorrow.

64. What the fuck are those bizarre orange balls? They look like steroid-infused caviar. Gross.

65. No, seriously, who eats that waste of space?

66. Oh. That guy just got some… feeling judgmental now, maybe they’re good

67. I’ll sample one, just to say that I did it

68. SPIT IT OUT, SPIT IT OUT, SPIT IT OUT. NEVER AGAIN.

69. Not okay, I need something to wash the flavor out of my mouth

70. Those cheesecake bites should do the trick

71. Holy crap they have toasted coconut. Shit just got real.

72. Okay, it already feels like 8 lbs, I should probably just sprinkle on some almonds and be done with it.

73. Although…

74. Are those cookie dough balls?

75. Okay a few of those won’t hurt.

76. WHOOPS! Hand slipped. I guess 12 is okay too.

77. This idiot filling the machines has no idea I’m eating my toppings in line

78. Whoohoo poppin’ em like adderall during exam week!

79. Gotta save those ounces! Every ounce counts!

80. I bet I’m saving like… at least $5 by eating the toppings in line.

81. Just gonna nom one more Reese’s annnndddd…fuck he just yelled at me.

82. This is embarrassing. People are looking.

83. Okay, okay, you caught me, I’m putting it down. Slowly, so nobody gets hurt.

84. Asshole.

85. Just for that I’m taking more and eating it when you’re not looking.

86. I’m a ninja. A froyo ninja.

87. Oh man, peanut butter drizzle. Should I do it?

88. I put fruit in my bowl….that should counteract the drizzle.

89. OMMMGGGGG it looks like heaven!!!

90. Time to weigh this baby, and for the love of god, no judgment from the cashier plz.

91. 16 OZ?!?!?! THAT’S A FUCKING POUND OF FROYO.

92. I could literally buy half a swimsuit from Target for the price of this baby

93. Not that I should be wearing a swimsuit after this…

94. Alright calm down, 8 oz of those are probably toppings and air…

95. And fruit toppings…with some drizzles on top…

96. What do you mean, ‘do I want a pink or a green spoon’?

97. Do I LOOK like a tree-hugging granola freak to you?

98. Oh god I should’ve put granola on here, that’s what I’m missing.

99. Can’t go back now, that would be mortifying.

100. Do I have a punch card? Lol you must be new.

101. Wait, wait…shit where’s my punch card???

102. I have a fucking punch card you ignoramus, I’m just looking for it

103. Seriously??? Where is that sneaky punch card?!

104. Ugh FINE I’ll take another. It must be at home…

105. I’ve got to have at least 8 at home. Whatever, I’ll just put them together next time.

106. I’m like the cat lady of punch cards now. I should give these as gifts.

107.Gotta make sure to Instagram this before I dive in.

108. It’s gonna get so many likes.

109. Fuck it, I can’t even wait.

110. I’M GOING IN!!!!

Below is the original post:
http://www.buzzfeed.com/twinssayfunnythings/110-thoughts-every-girl-has-while-building-a-froyo-sg5m

Miracle Suit My @$$ . . .

I decided to go shopping for a new swim suit instead of doing much needed homework . . . FAIL!

I was shocked out how much swim suits cost. I hadn't bought a new one in a few years and WOW. And then there is a "Miracle Suit" that starts around $150.00 . . . Double WOW.

Does this woman really look like she needs a Miracle? FAIL again! This suit starts at a size 10. She appears to be a size 1. I'd say no Miracle is needed for her. Now Me? Oh hell yeah lots of Miracles need to happen here. . . a tuck here, a lift there, and a suck me in x 10 . . .

Needless to say, I will be wearing the same swim suit as I did last year and the year before and even the year before that one . . . unless I find a true Miracle and a Money Tree!!

What Do Your Shoes Say About You?

I thought it would be fun to do a blog on "What Do Your Shoes Say About You?" and this is what I found:

Some interesting facts what shoes can say about you:

1. Practical and functional shoes generally belong to agreeable people.

2. Ankle boots belong to those with more aggressive personalities.

3. Uncomfortable looking shoes are (surprisingly!) usually worn by those with calm personalities.

4. Those who are most worried about their relationships wear brand new or well-kept shoes. This is because they are worried about what others think of their appearance.

5. Liberals (Read: hippies) wear less expensive shoes.

6. The more boring a shoe is, the harder it is for the owner to form relationships. This is because they don’t care what others think of their appearance.

Stilettos as weapon

If you love stilettos you are most likely a vivid and extraordinary person who longs for attention. You can be capricious and a bit spoiled but you always get what you want. You are confident about your powers and sex appeal. However, some people take you as a silly and shallow girl.

Flats for comfort

Flats-lover is usually sweet, friendly and a little boring. Deep in your soul you are still a child. You try to look open and prepossessing but strangers can hardly get too close to you. Women who like flats are usually great fashionistas who are fond of wearing new clothes. You are kind and considerate. And men see you as a very fragile person who they want to care for.

Biker-style queen

You are reserved and a bit egocentric. You don’t trust people and prefer doing everything yourself. But at the same time you are smart and sensitive and often worry about your relations with other people. You get sincerely surprised with rudeness and inadequate behavior.

Dandy-girl

If you like loafers and oxford shoes you belong to a group of women who are undemonstrative and prefer hiding their feelings even if their souls are in flames. You know what you want and achieve your goals no matter what happens and people around you think. You can be too punctilious which bothers you to make friends easily.

Tomboy

Girl who has a weak point about sporty footwear is normally creative and sociable. They love traveling and feel extremely bored when routine makes them stay at the same place for long. You need to always be among people who love and respect you.

Comfortable sexiness

Women who wear wedge shoes are usually straightforward, confident and love power. However, when it comes to decision making they tend to hesitate. In relationships they seek for reliability and trust.

And then there are shoes for Men . . . 

I Am That Mother . . .

I am that Mother who let's her kids take a mental health day from school.

I am that Mother who allows her kids to have cupcakes for breakfast on the weekend.

I am that Mother who yells at her kids for licking the beaters because of the raw eggs, but licks them when her kids aren't looking.

I am that Mother who forgets to wash her kids school uniforms the night before, but then throws them in the dryer the next morning pretending they've been washed.

I am that Mother who has let her daughter skip reading at night because I am too tired to care.

I am that Mother who will occasionally throw out the F bomb in front of her kids.

I am that Mother who lets her under aged daughter drink wine at home on special occasions.

I am that Mother who teaches her kids how to do their own laundry so I don't have to.

I am that Mother who forgets about tag day and sends her daughter to school in uniform.

I am that Mother who crawls back in bed after sending her kids off to school because she is exhausted.

I am that Mother who eats chocolate but hides it from her kids.

I am that Mother who stays up late playing games on the internet because I can't sleep.

I am that Mother who is amazed at how awesome her kids grades are when I hated school so much.

I am that Mother who secretly likes her kids to pile in her bed to play on their iPads even though I sometimes make them get out.

I am that Mother who could cares less what other moms think of me.

I am that Mother who likes to occasionally stay in her PJ's all day long.

I am that Mother who worries every time one of her kids gets behind the wheel of a car.

I am that Mother who stays awake at night until all of her kids are home in bed.

I am that Mother that has cried after disciplining her kids.

I am that Mother that is very proud of all that her kids have accomplished.

I am that Mother that does without so many things in order to give her kids a good education.

I am that Mother who is addicted to Dunkin Donuts coffee and has no problem admitting that it is needed some times to survive the day.

Most important . . . I am that Mother that God chose for 3 little girls who I love unconditionally.

Yep . . . I am that Mother!

 

Oh Cabana Boy . . .

Fan·ta·size: to create in one's fancy, daydreams

We've all had that one fantasy that we'd love to have come true for at least a few hours, days, weeks .... well you get the picture. While talking to a friend yesterday, I was joking around about having a Cabana Boy for my pool who would serve me tropical fruity drinks, feed me chocolate covered strawberry's while I laid back in my pool chair, rub on some suntan lotion, maybe even a foot massage . . . 

Now this would be the life wouldn't it? Maybe I should have a few Cabana Boys? 

One to serve those awesome drinks . . .

One to rub on some lotion and give me a massage . . .

Definitely need one to profile . . .

Don't worry ladies, I've gotcha all covered . . . But I'm thinking he needs to lose those shorts and shoes! Whatcha think?

And don't worry because we are also gonna have a hottie serve us some DD later in the evening!!

Dropping a FiOS Line with McDreamy . . .

I am always going in several directions at once and this morning was no different. Moving around the kitchen washing dishes, decorating chocolate cupcakes, stacking water bottles in the frig ... preparing for my daughters 18th birthday party ... when I heard a knock. I looked up and saw a strange man standing at my kitchen door. And he was a pretty HOT strange man I might add .... a mix between Ashton Kutcher .... gorgeous eyes with brown hair that makes you want to run your fingers through ... and Patrick Dempsey's Oh so McDreamy smile and stunning 5 o'clock shadow.

Well, you know I can dream a little .... after all it is my story, right? Anyway, I noticed when I opened the door he kept backing up as I was moving out the door on to the patio. In fact, he opened the gate and was backing up towards his truck as I was talking and continuing to follow him. At the time I didn't think too much into it because I was talking non stop and explaining to this guy that he was at the wrong house and how great it would be if he were to drop me some FiOS line today because we cannot get cable back here in the woods. And of course I had to explain to him how many times I had tried to get cable and how much of a PITA it had been. He just kept saying, "Uh ha" so I kept on talking and walking near him giving directions for the house down the street and my hands were waving around and moving in all different directions and he just kept staring at me ..... Finally, I finished talking and turned to go back in the house when he asked, "Do you always answer your door to strange men with a knife in your hand?" 

OMG ... LMFAO. Then it hit me why he was backing up and trying to get away from me. Hilarious!!! And I kept following that poor man and waving a knife at him.  I bet he double checks his GPS next time so he doesn't get the wrong address again!!!

Wearing Multiple Hats . . .

One birthday cake picked up,another one ordered and twenty four cup cakes in the oven. Not to mention the party supplies that I cannot find and the present I ordered that won't arrive until after the birthday. Grrr ...

My life .... The multi-tasking coffee addict/full time college student trying to earn her degree in cyber security/ MOM. Yes, I not only wear many hats, but I wear many hats at the same time. Am I the only one? Two kids birthdays in one week for the past 11 years .... you'd think I'd have this down to a science by now!!

Oh, did I mention I'm on my millionth cup of coffee for the day? Dunkin Donuts oh how I love thee ...

When Mocha Matters . . .

Where Kathy is a coffee addict, I am not.  I am at the other extreme.  If you even so much as try to use coffee to enhance the taste of chocolate in my cake, I will spit it out.  On two separate occasions, Starbucks' baristas have loaded my hot chocolate up with espresso ... freaking horrid experience.  I'm far too kind and polite in public to make a scene, but on the inside my taste buds were screeching at the ruination of perfectly good chocolate.
I know that most folks do the coffee thing.  I once worked in a Barney's Coffee and Tea.  The customers would come in, take one whiff, and be all like, “God you must love working here … getting to smell that all of the time … getting to drink as much as you want.”  They were always shocked to find that coffee and me are sworn enemies.  Their response, “Wow,” spoken in hushed astonishment.
But you bring out a tray of chocolate.  Milk, dark, white, mixed, swirled, chunked, chipped, barred, … truffles, creams, caramels, covered fruit, cake, cookies, etc, etc, etc … Well, now you’re talking.  Nibble here.  Nibble there.  Gobbledy num num num … followed by fingers being licked and a face of total innocence.  “What? . . . Don’t tell me you wanted some?”  … Whoopsies.

I love chocolate so much, I wrote a romantic comedy named Dip & Devour.  … Guess what is prominently featured in it.  … When the hero screws up bad, guess what he tries to ply the heroine with.  … If you’re guessing chocolate, then you are guessing right.  Because any sane human knows that the way to man’s heart is through his belly, and the way to a woman’s heart is through … chocolate … lots and lots and lots of it!

If it’s coffee you want, be careful around Kathy.  If it’s chocolate you have, and you want to keep it . . . don’t tell me.  We all have our “things,” our quirks, our addictions.  For Kathy and me, hot romance with hot guys to be sure … hers handing her a cup of coffee.  Mine feeding me niblets of chocolate . . . from between his perfectly lush lips.

If you’re a fan of coffee, you’ve found the right spot.  And if you’re a fan of chocolate and hot romantic comedies with hot FBI guys, a little bit of mystery, action, and a whole lot of fun, check out my book Dip & Devour.  You can find it on Amazon.  And you can find out more about me at MaryKateKopec.com and also on Facebook.

The Tooth Fairy Strikes Again . . .

Don't you just hate when you need a crown and there is just no time to have it put on? And I'm not talking about a crown for my head. I think there's devil horn up there somewhere :-) ... Yep, I did the worst imaginable thing. Before I had the chance to get the crown put on, I broke the @#$%& tooth! No one's fault but my own. But somehow I managed to turn the bad into good. I laid in bed thinking about that darn tooth and my mind wandering until I thought about the tooth fairy. How awesome would it be if she were to place something under my pillow at the ripe old age of 48. HA! Maybe my own Kid Rock, or Channing Tatum? Maybe the tooth fairy isn't really a SHE, but a HE. The romance writer in me was starting to emerge. But wait! She couldn't possibly put them both under my pillow, could she? Maybe just one of them? Nah, just lay him right beside me. Yeah, that would work. The next thing I remembered,  I was being handed a cup of coffee while trying to wake up. My eyes were all blurry and of course no contacts in yet. I squinted, but couldn't make out the face. Then it hit me! OMG the tooth fairy had come through for me? My imagination started to go wild ..............

Could it be Channing?

Oh maybe she planned to surprise me and give me a Hot Firefighter?

Oh no, wait .... It must be Kid Rock! He does have a coffee cup in his hand. But, somehow I don't think he's drinking coffee. Hint: look at the bottle in the photo to the left.

I rubbed my eyes, took the cup and said, "thank you" ..... 

When I looked up, I didn't see Kid Rock or Channing Tatum ... WTH?

What I did see was even better .... and the best part? He is all mine!

Coffee, Wine and Firefighters . . .

"Lord, give me COFFEE to change the things I can change and WINE to accept the things I can't and FIREFIGHTERS to make me forget all of the above."

I came across this website 2011 Tribute Wine - Red Blend  where a portion of all wine sales are donated to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Only 500 cases of this big bold wine were made. Pretty cool idea, but wouldn't it be awesome if the wine was personally delivered by a group of firefighters?

Some serious "Eye Candy" .....

    

Something to smile about .....