"Just Grin & Barrett"

Date Night w/ Mom

2010-01-22T09:11:00.001-08:00

Last night I took my mother on a date. We left the house at about 4:30pm and took off to do some new adventures on North Tampa or New Tampa. We found a JCPenneys that is only 8 miles from the house. My mother is in heaven. We next went to Sam's Club and did some like shopping.

I then took my mother to dinner and one of her favorate places....Panara Bread. It was a wonderful dinner.

To end off the evening we when to the movies:

http://www.theblindsidemovie.com/

When saw the blind side and I would recommend the movie to everyone to go see if you have not already.

I think I am going to find a way to have more date nights with my mother.

Last free night

2010-01-19T15:56:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is my first day in my attempts to change the outside of me. I have been working on the inside for sometime and now I feel I need to change the way I look. I am going to start my loosing much need weight and then I plan to work on building up my body until I will look good on the beach. My major goal is to be on the beach with no shirt on by June 1st. I know I am really taking on a large challenge but I feel I have got to do it for me. I want my chest to be large then my waist.

Look for the changes. I have taken beginning pictures but I am not ready to post them. Look for the big change to come in the future.

Good Outlooks

2010-01-18T09:44:00.000-08:00

Last night I slept like a brink and when I got up this morning I seem to have the clearest mind I have had in a very long time. I know with out a doubt that God has a bigger plan for me that I can currently understand. I have such a level of peace with my life and the lives of those I have choose to have in my life. I got a call today from my friend Jamie this morning and he seems to be very supportive of all the things that I am planning to do.

My main focus at this time is to look for gainful employment and I am willing to look outside of my box. I just want to get back to the feeling of self worth that comes from working.

Date With Promise

2010-01-17T15:30:00.000-08:00

Since, moving to Florida I have had the chance to go on several dates. Upto today the dates have all been one time meetings with little to no chance of even developing a simple friendship.

Over a week ago I started talking to a gentleman. It seemed very nice and it was amazing that our conversations never lead to anything sexual or even leading to anything sexually related. We set several dates to meet and for one reason or another we were unable to meet. Today, we did get the chance to meet. We meet at a public location and after a short conversation we got into one car and headed out for a day of adventure. Our first stop was to a local coffee shop (major points) where he bought me a cup of coffee (more points). After getting our coffee we headed to the beach where we took a very nice walk and talked about to each other. It was a perfect day.

Still looking

2010-01-15T07:13:00.000-08:00

Ok, I know it has been almost a week since I posted last. The weather has broke here in Florida and we are back to normal. Today we are going to be around 74 degrees.

I have been doing what every it takes to have happy warm sunshine inside myself. I have battled with depression for a long time but the last few months have been much worse than anytime in my life. Since moving to Florida I have been able to control the depression by always looking to the brighter side of everything and really trying to just stay happy. "It really seems to be working".

I have limited people in my life that can not help me with my goal of staying happy. I have tried a little dating since moving here and it seems that a lot of the men here are either are only looking for sex (big surprise) or they have many issues that they have not been willing to deal with (even big surprise). I am not willing to give up. I know that I have a lot to offer and there has got to be one really good man (not perfect) out there looking for me.

Winter in Florida

2010-01-09T05:47:00.000-08:00

Winter in Florida seems to be better than most places in the midwest where I have lived. Thursday, my dear friend Jamie came in from Indianapolis, IN. I told him it was cold here and he said it was a hell of alot warmer than at home. Friday morning we got up and went to Universal. Had a great time but it started raining about 2pm so we left and went shopping at the outlets. Ok, get ready for this: I shopped for over an hour at the outlet mall and bought nothing.....either I am sick or just finally do not need anything new.

Friday night Jamie and I went to Ybor City in Tampa. Wow, it was a lot of fun.

New Goals

2010-01-03T19:14:00.000-08:00

This morning I got up and when to MCC of Tampa. I walked into the church and instantly felt welcome. The service was very nice and I really hope that the church will also be a great positive force in my 2010.

I spent the day thinking about where or what direction I want my life to go during 2010. I have several goals for the year:

1. Find the happy or positive in everything.
2. Grow and find my true inside.
3. Love and allow myself to be loved.
4. Only keep the people in my life that are real and true.
5. Laugh, love, and enjoy life.

I know these goals are general and difficult but if I can keep the focus and try to reach these goals life will be so different for me in a great way.

I will share as much as possible how each goal effects my day to day life.

Live Hanging Plants

2010-01-01T12:04:00.000-08:00

Ok, It is January 1st and I just went to Lowes and bought live hanging flowering plants for my screened lania. I am about five months ahead of any other place I have ever lived. I know if by dear friend Bob was still alive he would be so proud of me.

I also recieved a live plant for the holidays from Robin and Marty and I just replanted it into a nice pot for the lania.

I have only been in Tampa, FL since December 12th and I am still is shock that I am wearing a short sleeve short and flip flops. How could life be much better?

January 1 it is a new Beginning!

2009-12-31T21:59:00.000-08:00

Ok, I have been saying forever that I was going to start a blog. I tried to several years ago and just could not keep with it. I think that 2010 is my year for sharing my thoughts and feelings to anyone that whats to read about them. I have no plans to push my feelings on anyone. I may at times try to get you to see things my way but you never know. I hope to share my happy thoughts and from time to time my run in with clerks. HA HA some of you already know what that means.

I hope to share with you this year my new romance as soon as I find my next love. I sure do hope next new years I am not hoping and wishing for the new love to come alone.