Lissa-Like It-Or-Love It

12secrets

Living in Abundance with Positive Priorities


You may think I'm a little off topic here.
or quite possibly that I am hanging out in the

Shallows

Yet I know who I am and hopefully you get
this quirky gal by now as well.

You see I get inspiration from many things.

When it comes to writing it is usually

the dark, dark place or the

LIGHT

and

people are my candles, torches and my dawn


Guess what? I have been soaking up the rays the of the sun and
absorbing the abundance in my life over the past week.
Also I have been playing the game:

Seven degrees of your friends and family.

It is amazing to what happens when you try to connect
all of the dots in the universe.

Here is a little taste:

There has been a mini reunion of sorts going on in my life.
( husband/myself- friends from school days)
About 10 of us got together over the weekend.

One of my best friends (K) and I have known each other for 26 years.
We didn't realize it until this week that we had sat
in classrooms next to each in elementary school
and hung out with the same people.

My friend NK is in a relationship with G.
I had been thinking of my friends J & C on the drive up.
C just happens to be G's sister.
I used hang out at G & C's house all the time.
G & I have both lost a sibling.

S is a young widow raising 2 boys.

NM was also there we have been friends forever-she has been on disability.

NK has MS, yet you would never know it.
His spirit soars, I am pretty sure that he can fly.

M- fell off a roof 4 years ago and almost died.
He is still here to to tell the tale, but he didn't

K- started his own business.
Times are tough but he is determined to succeed.

T- has successfully gotten on the treadmill.
She also gotten rid of some excess baggage.
She doesn't feel the need to be super slim just healthy.

A- ended up being my comedic counterpart. We did not know each other in high school.
We got a kick out of each others past "reputations"

We could have spent the entire afternoon talking about scarcity but we did not.
We we were rolling in abundance of love and laughter.

It also so happened that I just turned 34 .
Okay,well that is not quite true. But if I am going to make something scarce,
shaving years off my age is acceptable if not creative.

Being 34 works for me:)

On Saturday, my husband and I went to dinner.
We placed our order with our original waitress.
( who happened to be just wonderful)

A different male server comes back with the right food for my husband
and the wrong food for me.
An apology was made with assurances that he would be back with the right order.
Another server comes along. Same thing happens again.

So I tell my husband:

3rd time is a charm. They come back again. My dinner is free.
Not 30 seconds later
Same order comes back with our original waitress.
A mistake was made and my dinner was free.
They gave me the accidental meal and
my original meal as well.

I have a thing about the power of 3 and the Law of Attraction, what can I say.

Moving on :

There is a store that I like one city over.
This is a special place that makes you feel all zen inside when you walk in the door.
I have been thinking of how much I miss that store, how I wish to go, etc


My husband surprised me with a gift card for my birthday.
(now you have to understand-my husband usually requires a list for shopping)
Much as I love him, he is usually a left-brainer.

Universe had a hand in it!

Moving On:

Okay

I had a wonderful time this week and weekend.
However I did have some scarcity thinking.
You see I miss my sister. I miss my dad.
I miss some people that have moved away.
Some physically and some emotionally.
A few people let me down and I was a little upset.
So I cried.
Yet then I talked with my husband about gratitude.
Then the most magical thing happened.
My friend called.
She has been receiving my letters and misses me as much as I miss her.
Unfortunately she has been ill and only now had just gotten a phone.
She is going to come see me next weekend. I am so excited.
We are going to stay up all night to catch up on everything that has been going on
in the last 4 months.
She is my soul sista.
She wants to know all about the 12 secrets tribe.

I cannot wait to tell her.

Prosperity and Abundance comes in many forms.
I have chosen to set both my personal and creative foundation with love.
If you build it they will come.
I place my my order and send it off to the universe.
I believe it will all work out for the best.
All is well.

This awesome header was created by

Samulli

for some reason I cannot get her page to load today:(
maybe you Can
and also

Come join the fun at

thursday-13

Do you like to cook? I do not.
If it is not easy to make or can not be made in a crock pot, I want no part of it.
Here is a list of thirteen places I plan visiting more often
when my children leave the nest.

1. Red Lobster

http://www.redlobster.com/


Florida has many great seafood places. Yet why spend too much money on
6 shrimp and a cup of coleslaw when you can get the Admirals Feast?
I could live on their cheddar biscuits alone.

2. Cracker Barrel

http://www.crackerbarrel.com/

Three words: Hash Brown Casserole


3.Hooters

Yes, it's true. I used to be to a Hooters girl. Well not really. But,I could have been.
They only give their t-shirts out to the really HOT women.
Which reminds me. I like my wings and my shrimp that way.


4.Outback Steakhouse

http://www.outback.com/

Who cares how many calories is in that bloomin' onion?
I am going to order one every time along with a big fat juicy steak.


5.Perkins

http://www.perkinsrestaurants.com/

There is an innocent and enjoyable way to be a traitor.
With country Eggs Benedict.
Their blueberry muffins are also delicious.



6. Sweet Tomatoes

http://www.sweettomatoes.com/

Why does Soup & Salad always taste so much better somewhere else?



7. El Adobe

This is the best Mexican place in SRQ.
Their homemade tortilla chips are out of this world.


8. Panera Bread

http://www.panerabread.com/

Bagels, sandwiches, muffins and salads.
There is always something to suit my mood and my appetite.


9. Demetrios Italian Restaurant

http://www.demetriospizzeria.com/

The best pizza in SRQ. Period.



10. Rafains-

http://www.rafain.com/

I have been there once. Handsome men called Gauchos
served me tremendous amounts of freshly grilled meat.
This is an Adkins lovers dream.

How will I get there? who knows? But I am going back.


11. Olive Garden

http://www.olivegarden.com/default_f.asp

Get an extra side of Alfredo sauce and start dipping those bread sticks.

12. Bern's Steakhouse

http://www.bernssteakhouse.com/

I have been waiting over 10 years to go back to this magical place.
If it comes down to it I will walk there. This isn't just a restaurant.
It is a dining experience that you will never forget.



13. Mom aka Mema

No one can ever cook as good as my Momma.
She better move now and leave no forwarding address.
Otherwise, guess who will be stopping by for dinner?

Writer's Workshop

mamakatslosinit


This week I chose:

5.) What happened in the last year? Write about something you can do now that you couldn't do a year ago.

Thanksgiving comes once a year and I am grateful.

I am no Paula Deen, Rachael Ray or Bobby Flay.
Nor am I, my sister in laws, mother in law , aunts or my mom.
The gift of cooking and creating fabulous food was not given to me.

Quite frankly I believe this is unfair since I also did not receive the gift of
great hair, teeth, and junk and the trunk.
However that has nothing to do with this story.

For three years in a ROW I managed to cook a pie
with the waxed paper still in it.
It is now a tradition to share this story at holiday get togethers.
I am also now told what to pick up at the store prior to future events.


Last year I took a big step. I mean a huge step.
I bought a turkey.
Not the kind already cooked and ready to go with all of the fixins either.
( FYI-Publix is fantastic if you do choose to go that route, I highly recommend them)

I bought a frozen 20lb turkey.
I thawed it the refrigerator for 5 days.
Made my husband dig out the bag of yukky stuff.
( I gave birth to his 4 children, so I made this HIS job)
Used a little Worcestershire Sauce and Garlic Salt
and popped that beast into my momma's
"used to her but new to me"
Toastmaster Roaster Oven

While the turkey was roasting

I whipped up some real mashed potatoes
Got some good gravy going
mixed up 2 batches of homemade mac-n-cheese
and cooked those Italian green beans
with just the right amount of salt & pizazz
Pistachio salad and a small tray of sweet potatoes were also on the menu
And of course cranberry sauce , rolls & store bought pies.

The turkey was fabulous.
So was everything else.
Even the pies.

Last year, after 20 years of marriage and 4 kids.
I finally cooked my first turkey.
I OWNED that Thanksgiving dinner.
For some strange reason only my mom showed up to join us for the special event.
Yet it is was a wonderful day indeed.

So was last Sunday, I made turkey for dinner:)

**Note**
It just so happens that I also wrote about this topic on Wednesday on my other blog.
There was no talking turkey either. If you are interested you can read it
HERE

thursday-13

Sticks and Stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me.

You know me as Lissa. Others call me Lisa, Leesee, li-li and my newest fave Lissy

Here are a few nicknames of my past and present.

1. Dinky

Given to me by my Dad on the day I was born.
At 6lbs 5oz I was the smallest bundle of joy he had ever seen.

2. Sissy Boo

My little brother wanted me to get off my mom's lap and couldn't say move.
I am still called Sissy Boo to this day

3. Mrs. Osmond

As in Donny.This one I chose for myself.
During pretend time with my little friends.

4. Pole Bean

Thanks Kenny. You call Candy "Legs" and I got nothing. Obviously.
Makes a girl in 6th grade feel so good.

5. Flat-Chested Woman

Thanks to Todd for writing this in my yearbook.
I would dream of you dedicating the touchdowns you made on the field every week to me.
You said it was too bad that I didn't have anything to fill my bra or you would go out with me.
Well it is too bad about that tire you swallowed.
You were not looking so good the last time I saw you.
Tell your brother Kenny I said hello.

6. Beep-Beep

Suzie was Toot-Toot. We liked Donna Summer.
We thought we were hot in high heels in Jr High.
We were not. Okay, she was.

7. Olive

As in Popeye the cartoon.
Nothing like 16 year old "frenemies" to make you feel
good in your bathing suit on the beach.

8. Peaches

He was my high school sweetheart.
He brought me peach roses and promised me the world.
He probably does not even remember this, but I do.

9. Material Girl

I admit it. I dressed like Madonna and I liked it.

10. Big B

Currently inscribed on my bowling ball. Is it my bowling average? (130)
The fact that at one time I said I was a BBW (Big Beautiful Woman)
My breasts?(long gone with the weight loss) or a diva attitude?
Who knows? But I'm keeping it.

11. MiMi Li

My kids' friends call me this.
Prevention is also the cure for the future.
I have informed my children that I am far to vain to ever be called granny.
They are now thinking about Granny Li.

12. Mom/Mommy

By far my favorite.
Except when I am in the bathroom or on the phone.

13. Eye Candy

Did I ever tell you that my husband needs glasses?
Oh how I love that man!

mamakatslosinit

This is my first week-sounds like fun.
You can play too.
Choose a prompt, post it on your blog.

Note** I think I was supposed to pick one prompt-oops**

The Prompts:

1.) Write a limerick.

I once tried to write a rhyming limerick
But thinking of it made me terribly sick
So I had some Pepto
Turned into a klepto
And plagiarized one from an author named Rick



2.) Normal is...

my last name. My first name is Abby.


3.) Describe a memorable camping experience.

High School. There was no parental supervision. Nuff said.


4.) What's the best thing that has happened this week?

I received words of encouragement, help when I needed it and heard from some old friends.

5.) Did you have a childhood hideout? Where? Describe it.

We built forts. In trees. In the woods. In the dirt.
Made of wood, boxes, sheets anything we could find.
My friends, siblings, cousins, we were creative.

6.) Words that hurt me.

Corned Beef Hash,Guacamole,Seven & Seven
(typing these gives me the chills)

"Liar"
Just hit me instead, oh wait a minute you just did figuratively.

"They'd want you to be happy"
Only because of the fact, that due to circumstances beyond my control, this has been said to me. Quite frankly I get tired of hearing it.
I mean DUH.
However,
I think the people that I am missing would understand if I am not chipper all of the time.

That's it for me! Can't wait to see what everyone else wrote!

Awhile back I received this award from an awesome

bohemianbabe

I felt quite honored and humbled for they have been times in my personal, professional and political life that I have been lost, unsure or
sometime riding around on on my self -righteous martyr high horse.
It's not easy to let go of your blanket of insecurity,
Yet when you do it is amazing the wonderful things and friends that come into your life.

I am so grateful for my Boho Mama.

Now I have a choice to pass it on to 10 .
Well I could choose more than 10 and of those, many have been chosen already.
So because I believe in the magic and power of 3
I would like to pass this award onto the following:

1. SNAP

Now SNAP already may have received this, but she is my buddy. She always lifts me up.

2. Christine


She is my friend from my other bloggy world. We are going through a difficult journey together.
She is always a ray of light to others including me.

3.12secretstribe


That's right! We gotta a whole lotta special going on every week.
Encouragement,Inspiration & Friendship
I am so thankful to be a part of it.