I love my job. Not many people can or will say that these days. Love what you do and you will never work a day in your life they say. I say they are right.

Working in protocol is not for just anyone. If I had to write a job announcement it would go something like this.

ISO an individual with an outgoing personality and capable of shoving it right back in the bottle at a moments notice. Must be able to negotiate for the best deals, make a diamond out of a pebble, turn a pumpkin into a carriage and turn it off at a moments notice. Must be diplomatic at all turns while pushing people to give you everything you want for nearly nothing and be excited to do it. Must be the face of the organization yet barely seen. The ability to read minds, predict the unpredictable and do all the manual labor no one else wants to do is a must. Late hours, putting out fires, and treating all of your guests like they are the best thing since sliced bread does not make you special, they only ensure you will make it to another day. If you are brave enough to take this job on and feel like you have the qualities above, bless your heart and apply below.

While so much of this is sadly true, it’s just some of the reasons I love being in Protocol.

We sometimes work long, demanding hours. We have to be creative, crafty, incredibly kind and understanding. We need lab ahead but often find ourselves reactive. We have to be willing to put in all of the work and get little to no credit. In fact, sometimes less feedback means more!

I love to get up in the morning, have my coffee and go to work. I work with strong personalities and together we challenge one another and make a spectacular team. We feed off each others strengths and we train in each others weakness. We succeed as a team and fail as a team. The way it was meant to be.

As I write, I can only home you each love what you do. Get up with purpose, make a difference you are proud of, and be happy with the day you have given.

Love what you do!

This summers gem of a drink gives a Hispanic twist to that average margarita on the rocks you have been sippin on 🍹

I love meeting new people from all over the country! Last night the hubby and I crashed a girls weekend pregame gathering with our friends and their visiting momma, aunt and little sister.

These lovely Latina ladies made me a drink! Oh my the flavors. Not sucky sweet, but smooth, little tart and little spicy. I don’t do super spicy so trust me when I tell you it was only a little spicy 🌶.

So for your next back yard bash, if you want to flip the switch and turn it up, try this one out!

I was excited to share this recipe with you, but I knew I would never remember the names of all the ingredients. I had to get pictures to share with you. Full disclosure it was also fun listening to them pronounce them all for me. My Spanish is so bad, well who am I kidding, I can’t speak Spanish at all and butcher all the menu items I ever try to order.

Ingredients:

1.5 oz spicy tamarind vodka

4 oz Tamarind Jarritos

lime (wedges)

Chamoy

Tajin

Rub lime wedge around the rim of your glass to moisten. Dip rim of glass in Chamoy and then Tajin. Add ice to glass and drop in that lime. Add your vodka and the Tamarind Jarritos. Sip and enjoy!

Substitution option for Tamarind Jarritos, use watermelon lime juice available at ALDIs!

Everyone has opinions and each and every opinion matters. In America, as Americans, we have the right to opinions. We have rights! We have the right to vote, the right bare arms, the right to choose our job, where we live, what we eat, what we watch, and many more rights.

July 4, 1776, America was founded on the principal that everyone should be afforded natural rights and political representation. July 4, 2022 just doesn’t feel like that.

It has been a slow road evolving to what our founding fathers envisioned and we are far from our destination. From the Native Americans to the Slaves, Segregation to Women’s rights, and sexual orientation to health care, America is evolving. The pace is slow and the setbacks are many.

Every generation has faced a change in culture and those changes were not without division. Today we see slavery as wrong and unjust but in that day and time it was as dividing a topic as the woman’s right to choose.

These dividing topics are made even worse by our politicians. The vote matters if we want to see change. But who do you vote for?

Our government is made up of republicans, democrats, and independents. The party chooses the candidate, the one most likely to vote their stances and we are left to pick the best of the worst.

The parties and their candidates have set agendas (that pay well) and don’t waiver.

So what about the Americans who don’t have the same beliefs as a party on all topics. Take me for example. I could literally take a little from each party but could never find a way to side solely with one. Where does that leave me and the other 41% of us? Maybe independent but let’s face it, someone is still pulling those puppet strings.

The president is elected by the electoral college, not the people. This leaves us with only our vote for the congressmen and women who play the game more than the president. They don’t vote for what the people want, they vote to get votes for the policies they are lobbying for.

It’s time for some change in America. We need to change how elections are done, we need to make laws against personal gain for elected officials and the deals made for votes, the people need to be heard and that should decide how votes are cast by our elected officials, and we need our younger generation to vote.

America need to vote out those who have personal agendas, don’t listen to the people, and can’t or won’t get the job done. We need politicians who get to work, work together, and represent the people. A vote should not be traded for another vote.

Finally we need to relook at the Supreme Court. Why are these not elected positions with expiring tenure? These people instead are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Congress and are just another tool for political parties to push their agendas. This is just another opportunity for the American people to not be heard.

Today we celebrate Americas birthday and let’s just hope we get a little wiser with age. If you are not registered to vote, consider it. The only vote that TRULY doesn’t matter is the one not cast. Let our voices be heard, a ballot at a time.

Each day we open our eyes with a new chance at life. No matter the day of the week or the hour your day begins, it’s a new chance, new opportunity. The day is not a guarantee that everything will be perfect, or that you have won the lottery. Instead it’s a chance to put the past behind you and focus on the present.

But how do you categorize a day as good, bad, or memorable? For me, I’m learning to focus on the highlights. Today for example, I got to wake up all on my own. No alarm, just my body waking up. When my eyes opened, I could see the sun peeking through the blinds.

I’m not one to lay on my bed when I wake up, so I climbed from my sheets and slipped on my house shoes. I gingerly made my way out of the bedroom so not to awake the dogs or my hubby.

Anyone who knows me, knows the coffee maker was brewing my first cup before I even wiped the sleep from my eyes. In 2 minutes and 34 seconds I was headed to my lanai, coffee in hand to take in the quiet sounds of a sunny Florida sunrise.

By the time my coffee was gone I was joined by my husband and our girls. The next couple hours we watched the news and had our second coffee. I’m not a huge fan of the news anymore, so I really only watch when the weather is on. Today they called for rain in the afternoon so we wouldn’t be doing the beach. I am actually almost giddy about the rain. I love a day at home, watching the rain. Maybe not days on end but the now and then rain is relaxing and I can use a day of relaxing.

I’ve been a little anxious lately, not really for any reason., so today I decided to do some deep cleaning. Sometimes when I feel this way, a good cleaning makes me feel better. It’s actually the end result that gives me the most satisfaction.

Todays project was kitchen SOS. It worked! I felt so good when it was done.

Shortly after the kitchen was done the rain came. Rain tickles the senses. The sound of rain is mesmerizing. I can hear it hit the window, tink tink tink. The drops hitting the pool, the trees, the roof each making a different, distinct sound. The smell of rain is so clean. It’s fresh and crisp. The air is cooler, the moisture and breeze providing relief to the heat. Then the thunder and lightning rolled in. Some may be afraid of it, and for many it’s a source of anxiety, but I LOVE me some thunder and lightning. I actually get the best sleep in a good thunder storm.

We had a wonderful dinner that my son and daughter in law made. What a blessing! The food was amazing, but even better was they did it for us.

I rate my day was great. It was not eventful but it was perfect for me. From the moment I woke up, I was able to enjoy things that make me happy.

Take a minute to count the little things in your day that give you joy. All those little things add up! Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to end my day with a dance in the rain!

Protein shake – its good for you!

This shake is full of absolute goodness for you, but to taste it you would never know! Drink after a workout or as a stand-alone meal. You font want to miss out on this one 😍

1 cup almond or rice milk
1 heaping tsp almond butter
1 scoop protein powder
1 frozen banana
1 handful spinach
Blend until smooth

i like to add a scoop of collagen in mine

I will miss the masks for a much deeper, more meaningful reason. For the first time in my lifetime, men now have a better understanding of what it is like to have to wear something that is restricting, sometimes suffocating, uncomfortable, and cumbersome. That’s right ladies, men now have an inkling of a feeling of what it is like to have to wear a bra. You know what I’m talking about. We have all had that total feeling of freedom when we walk in the door and unsnap that restrictive garment that makes us sweat in uncomfortable places, stretches out and suddenly just doesn’t fit right and in many social situations is frowned upon when not worn. Maybe we should start a petition to lift the Bra mandate too.

As mask mandates are being lifted and we say farewell to masks, people in general see this as progress or a return to normalcy. I for one am sad to see them go. But not because of the normal political or medical debates we see in the news or hear at the water cooler. Don’t get me wrong, when our daily debate can go back to who should retire from the NFL or which is better a Ford or Chevy I will feel like I’m existing in a more normal world and moving past masks will help with that.

Meanwhile, at least our men have felt our pain. Happy Sunday everyone. Laugh at the things you can’t change!

People pleasing

I LOVE SEEING PEOPLE HAPPY! It feels good to see others joyful and happy. If I am being honest, I have an unhealthy need to ensure others are happy. So unhealthy, it usually supersedes my own happiness. It could be a meal I cook, a gift I give, or a project at work. I almost always ask for feedback. It’s not because I am searching for compliments, I truly want to know if THEY liked it, if it made them happy.

In my life, I need to learn to be satisfied that I did something positive for them. I cooked for them, I chose a gift I thought they would appreciate. I need to understand that how someone receives my gestures is up to them. I don’t know why this is so difficult for me, or why I confuse giving with others happiness. I come from a generous and appreciative family, and I have raised my own children to appreciate the things in their life and people around them.

I guess in the end the reason I feel that way is less important than how I move forward, change my own behavior and way of thinking. Find satisfaction in knowing I put a hot meal in front of my loved ones, I did something for someone else to brighten their day, or I just put a little more effort or thought behind my actions. After all, I am not only giving them a tangible item, I am giving them a piece of my mind, my time, and myself. Maybe that is the real gift.

No-one knows how much time we have on this earth, and no tomorrow is promised. Taking a moment from your day to send a text, make a call, buy a gift, cook a meal, fold a shirt, or even say a prayer is a priceless gift. If I look at my actions and offerings like that, and those I do it for truly care about me, then I have given them something that can’t be measured in satisfaction. It is priceless and precious and that is truly the best of what I can give.

So this week I am going to start appreciating the moments I have and have to give. I am going to work to feel satisfaction in knowing I share some of these moments with the people I love both friends and family, and finally understanding that what I give is enough. It is up to the recipient to appreciate the value of it. Instead of allowing their taste for what I did to affect my giving, I am going to give what I can and find the satisfaction in just that. I will also be cautious of giving of myself to others who won’t appreciate it and save it for those who will cherish it.

Have a great week and remember, yesterday is heavy, let it go! Letting March in with new lenses!

Pressure can be a good thing. It can push you further than you thought possible, helping you to achieve the potential you didn’t realize you had.
It’s the pressure from others’ actions you put on yourself that can be unhealthy. A fact of life: the only actions you have control over are your own. When I attempt to help someone, gifting them compassion and kindness, I have a tendency to subconsciously claim ownership in their next step. I create a personal investment in their success or their failure. This can affect my mood, my sleep, my work life and my home life.
It’s not always the big acts of physical labor or financial assistance. My actions could be something as simple as a prayer, words of encouragement or a wish for luck. Afterwards, I find myself following their journey as if it were my own. I would even go as far as admitting that not knowing how it ends devastates me too.
In order for who I am to work for me, I have to let go of the the way I think. The unhealthy connection I make to others’ journeys. I don’t mean not helping or not caring, but simply reminding myself that it’s not my journey, it’s theirs. Look at myself as a tool in their arsenal for venting, talking, listening, or just being. Their results, their actions, that’s what they own.
I need to practice giving unconditionally. I never realized that when I would give I was subconsciously looking to receive. I was seeking results in their success; satisfaction from their journey. The real way to give is to do it with the satisfaction that you simply offered a piece of you for a moment or moments of time. That is all, nothing more. It doesn’t mean you don’t care what happens to those around you. It just means that it’s their journey, their fight. My actions are my responsibility. My successes are my achievements. My failures are my lessons. To share my story is a gift.
I plan to continue being there for my friends, my family, strangers, and acquaintances, but I am also going to reflect on my interactions and make an assertive effort to take a step back. Let the chips fall where they may, and take less ownership in their results. Our legacy is about the impact we have in this world, not fixing everyone in it.

I dislike vegetables.  Raw veggies I can do but When they are cooked we have a problem.  Needless to say I don’t intake my daily requirement of fruits and vegetables and rely on my vitamins to make up for it.  

I also have a serious sweet tooth.  It strikes morning noon and night, all day every day. These two vices pose a serious challenge when trying to eat healthier and shed some fatty fat fat.   

I may have found my solution.  Oh got a juicer.  I have blenders and the smoothie maker, but why not a juicer?  Kitchen gadgets may be my weakness, but that’s for another day.  

I researched some juice recipes and decided the first I would try is carrot juice.  Cooking the carrots is not requires so we are already starting off on a positive note in my book.  

Yep, my first concoction would be carrot juice.  Off to the store to load up on carrots, apples, and oranges.  

My guys in the meantime are pretty certain I lost my mind wanting to try carrot juice, knowing my dislike of veggies and have zero to no interest in carrot juice but they went along for the ride to show their support.  

I have owned my juicer for 3 days and have made four batches of carrot juice.  It’s gone as soon as I make it!  A glass of delicious fruits and veggies for me, and one for each of my guys.  Ha!  Not so crazy momma for the win!  

My hiccup came when I threw caution to the wind and added in some turmeric and ginger to boost the nutritional value.  Sooooo, let’s just say that is going to require some more research and serious tweaking.  Ike’s!   Maybe this batch will be health shots.  

Either way I am extremely satisfied with my newest kitchen gadget and the idea of taking in some serous vitamins.  I’m on the hunt for some new recipes and will keep you all updated the juice recipes we try!   Getting those veggies 🥕 

Today would have been Betty Whites 100th birthday.  America morned her loss  just a little over two weeks before we would have celebrated with her.  So today we remember her and celebrate the beautiful mark she left on our world. 

She was a beloved actress, comedian, animal activist and friend.  

Age was but a number to her, and she had no intention of stopping.  She made us laugh and had an uncanny way of making sense of our confusing and sometimes scary world.  She survived multiple pandemics, saw 32 wars, survived three husbands, and she even holds the Guinness book of world records for longest career for female entertainers. 

Mrs. White didn’t just sit and watch tho, she served in WWII  in the American Women’s Voluntary Services.  She delivered supplies via a PX truck by day and night were spent at grand dances meant to give soldiers a grand send-off before they shipped out.  

Betty white was above all else kind.  She genuinely cared for people.  She was, in her every day life, what we all should strive to be if even just a little.  

Many will give to a animal rescue in her name and in honor of her love for animals.  She herself said if things hadn’t worked out in Hollywood, she would have become a zookeeper.  If you give in her honor, I applaud you.  

May I also suggest in honor of her nearly 100 years on this earth, and the hole she left behind in our hearts, we all try to be a little more like her.  Be kind, be a friend, do good because it makes you feel good.  Do for others because you can.  Say kind things, because they can change someone’s day.  Find the positive amongst a field of negatives.  Laugh because it’s contagious.  

Take note from the life of Betty White and try to be just a little better than you were yesterday. 

Thank you for sharing your life with us Mrs White and thank you for being our friend.  

I met someone. I knew I would eventually. At 48 years old, it happened. I am very excited, yet I had a difficult time putting into words what he means to me. These are feelings are like none I have ever felt before.

He has short dark hair and olive skin. He has the most beautiful, loving, innocent eyes. They are blue like the ocean. When he smiles at me, I see a sparkle like the sun reflecting off the whitecaps.

His smile could melt the heart of the grinch. He laughs at all of my jokes and loves to sit and talk. He is one of the best listeners. I can share my secrets, and only hope he will trust me with his. I have told him so many stories and he listens with baited breath, hanging on my every word.

He loves to snuggle, and will occasionally watch a movie, although he quickly looses interest and usually falls asleep.

He is a mommas boy, and to be honest, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I just adore his momma.

After some discussion on what our pet names would be for each other, we decided that I would call him my pumpkin pie, and he would call me his Gammie.

We were able to spend some amazing time with our grandson over the holidays, and since he left I have missed him something terribly. I only hope we will get you see him very soon, but until then I will FaceTime him and talk to him. Congratulations to my son and daughter-in-law on a beautiful baby boy and thank you for making me a Gammie. ❤️❤️

This is an example post, originally published as part of Blogging University. Enroll in one of our ten programs, and start your blog right.

You’re going to publish a post today. Don’t worry about how your blog looks. Don’t worry if you haven’t given it a name yet, or you’re feeling overwhelmed. Just click the “New Post” button, and tell us why you’re here.

Why do this?

• Because it gives new readers context. What are you about? Why should they read your blog?
• Because it will help you focus your own ideas about your blog and what you’d like to do with it.

The post can be short or long, a personal intro to your life or a bloggy mission statement, a manifesto for the future or a simple outline of your the types of things you hope to publish.

To help you get started, here are a few questions:

• Why are you blogging publicly, rather than keeping a personal journal?
• What topics do you think you’ll write about?
• Who would you love to connect with via your blog?
• If you blog successfully throughout the next year, what would you hope to have accomplished?

You’re not locked into any of this; one of the wonderful things about blogs is how they constantly evolve as we learn, grow, and interact with one another — but it’s good to know where and why you started, and articulating your goals may just give you a few other post ideas.

Can’t think how to get started? Just write the first thing that pops into your head. Anne Lamott, author of a book on writing we love, says that you need to give yourself permission to write a “crappy first draft”. Anne makes a great point — just start writing, and worry about editing it later.

When you’re ready to publish, give your post three to five tags that describe your blog’s focus — writing, photography, fiction, parenting, food, cars, movies, sports, whatever. These tags will help others who care about your topics find you in the Reader. Make sure one of the tags is “zerotohero,” so other new bloggers can find you, too.

This is an example post, originally published as part of Blogging University. Enroll in one of our ten programs, and start your blog right.

You’re going to publish a post today. Don’t worry about how your blog looks. Don’t worry if you haven’t given it a name yet, or you’re feeling overwhelmed. Just click the “New Post” button, and tell us why you’re here.

Why do this?

• Because it gives new readers context. What are you about? Why should they read your blog?
• Because it will help you focus your own ideas about your blog and what you’d like to do with it.

The post can be short or long, a personal intro to your life or a bloggy mission statement, a manifesto for the future or a simple outline of your the types of things you hope to publish.

To help you get started, here are a few questions:

• Why are you blogging publicly, rather than keeping a personal journal?
• What topics do you think you’ll write about?
• Who would you love to connect with via your blog?
• If you blog successfully throughout the next year, what would you hope to have accomplished?

You’re not locked into any of this; one of the wonderful things about blogs is how they constantly evolve as we learn, grow, and interact with one another — but it’s good to know where and why you started, and articulating your goals may just give you a few other post ideas.

Can’t think how to get started? Just write the first thing that pops into your head. Anne Lamott, author of a book on writing we love, says that you need to give yourself permission to write a “crappy first draft”. Anne makes a great point — just start writing, and worry about editing it later.

When you’re ready to publish, give your post three to five tags that describe your blog’s focus — writing, photography, fiction, parenting, food, cars, movies, sports, whatever. These tags will help others who care about your topics find you in the Reader. Make sure one of the tags is “zerotohero,” so other new bloggers can find you, too.

This is an example post, originally published as part of Blogging University. Enroll in one of our ten programs, and start your blog right.

You’re going to publish a post today. Don’t worry about how your blog looks. Don’t worry if you haven’t given it a name yet, or you’re feeling overwhelmed. Just click the “New Post” button, and tell us why you’re here.

Why do this?

• Because it gives new readers context. What are you about? Why should they read your blog?
• Because it will help you focus your own ideas about your blog and what you’d like to do with it.

The post can be short or long, a personal intro to your life or a bloggy mission statement, a manifesto for the future or a simple outline of your the types of things you hope to publish.

To help you get started, here are a few questions:

• Why are you blogging publicly, rather than keeping a personal journal?
• What topics do you think you’ll write about?
• Who would you love to connect with via your blog?
• If you blog successfully throughout the next year, what would you hope to have accomplished?

You’re not locked into any of this; one of the wonderful things about blogs is how they constantly evolve as we learn, grow, and interact with one another — but it’s good to know where and why you started, and articulating your goals may just give you a few other post ideas.

Can’t think how to get started? Just write the first thing that pops into your head. Anne Lamott, author of a book on writing we love, says that you need to give yourself permission to write a “crappy first draft”. Anne makes a great point — just start writing, and worry about editing it later.

When you’re ready to publish, give your post three to five tags that describe your blog’s focus — writing, photography, fiction, parenting, food, cars, movies, sports, whatever. These tags will help others who care about your topics find you in the Reader. Make sure one of the tags is “zerotohero,” so other new bloggers can find you, too.