So Much Fun: Mom's Delicious Meatloaf, Time with Friends, & Enjoying Life!

To be honest, I'm in a meat coma right now, yes, you heard me right--a meat coma. I've eaten more meat in the last 24 hours than I have in a long, long time.

I used to be a vegetarian, I'm not anymore. (And I am so glad I'm not!)

Go ahead and judge me, or cheer me on, I really don't care--all I know is I'm not a vegetarian right now because I don't feel like being one.

Will I be one again someday? Probably, yes. I certainly have much more energy when I don't eat meat, but....

My mother made a huge meatloaf last night and it is so good, I literally have eaten half the loaf in 24 hours.

I know, I'm supposed to be a person who can exert some self control, but this meatloaf is so darn delicious that it reminded me of everything I love about my mom's cooking. You all think I can cook, this is why--she is why--because I learned from the very best--my mom, and my grandma.

Seriously, folks, my mom cooked all the time when I was growing up. Real, fresh, homemade food. And she made many meat loafs too, but NONE like this. The meatloaf my mom made last night is hands down, one of the most delicious, amazing things I have EVER put in my mouth. It's one of those "meals" I'll remember forever--seriously!

To top it off, she made a side of sauteed squash and eggplant, which was equally delectable! But, since I tried the meatloaf first and was in absolutely seventh heaven, when I opened the bowl of veggies I thought "I don't really want these," Yes--ME! (Then I thought 'this must be what other people think about veggies') was more into the meat than the veggies--go figure! But, once I tasted the veggies, my oh my--I was IN LOVE!

Each time I've had a slice of meatloaf today (three times so far) I've had a HUGE side of veggies too! So, I don't feel so bad. LOL!

This is SO unlike me, I'm NOT a huge meat eater. And as a former vegetarian, I do feel tremendously guilty about eating what is essentially--ground cow--but man oh man does it taste GOOD! This is a total 180* switch from my food habits a year or two ago.

But, my pallet is changing, I guess. I don't want to become a meat-loving, veggie disliking person--at all, I still LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my veggies, and still prefer them over meat. But, all I'm saying is, right now,--my goodness--my mother's meatloaf is pretty much as good as it gets! So, thanks, mom!

In all fairness, my mom doesn't cook too often anymore, and if and when she does, she makes her usual hash browns--which I also love and adore. It's totally fair that I do most of the cooking for her now--she pretty much made my every meal for me the first ten years of my life. But, once in a while, when she DOES cook, and I get to taste a remnant from my childhood. That's when I'm glad fully reminded just how awesome of a cook my mother is--and it brings me such joy!

Really, don't most people love their mom's cooking? I certainly do!

Aside from the meat-induced coma I'm in right now, I'm just plain tired.

I'm tired from the TREMENDOUS FUN I've had so far this year! Granted, we're only 10 days in, but so far, it's been SO FUN! I have had the most fun at work, with my co-workers and bosses; with my friends and their kids; with my home-life and celebrating birthdays. It's been just fantastic!

Sure, it's had its difficult moments, but overall, so far, 2011 is the most fun I've had in a long time! I'm working hard (as hard as my body will let me that is, which isn't very, admittedly) and playing hard, and yet, making time to relax (I have to!).

I have places to go, things to do and people to see--and I'm in demand! Even though at times, I feel a bit overwhelmed with it all, I gotta say--it's so nice to be needed and wanted.

It's nice to know you make a difference in peoples' lives, that people count on you for certain things, that people want your advice and opinions and that people will listen. It's equally--no better--to spend time listening to them! I just love it!

I am having so much fun so far this year that I can barely believe it! I am tired at night but at least I fall into bed, tired, from an honest days work--whether that was work in the form of my job or my relationships. I take time to rest, like I said, I cannot not do that--I'll wind up sick if I don't stop and rest. But, honestly, my life is busy enough again to need a planner--and while I do schedule time to relax and have "free/me" time--it's nice to be busy again!

It's so nice to be enjoying each day like this, and having this much fun!

Today, I went to a movie with my mom ("Country Strong" it was not what I thought'd it be, but it was good anyway), and before that, I sat on my bedroom floor and sang as the sun was going down. Last night, I went to the Cosmopolitan Casino and was amazed by a casino (which doesn't happen as I was literally in the womb in one). The day before that, I got to hang out with some good friends and their amazing kids. I've also spent A LOT of time on the phone (and emailing back and forth) with Tessa planning her wedding--that too is SO much FUN!

I am so blessed--I am getting to have fun with people, and myself and just be busy. I'm not so busy I don't take time to stop. I'm not so busy that I'm missing out on the little things.

For instance: the stars in the nighttime sky a week ago tonight were positively awesome! Seeing the actual stars in Vegas is such a rarity because it's so bright here--we're literally the brightest spot on Earth! The star gazing I did in the middle of the night on Jan. 3rd was just fabulous!

I'm enjoying my coffee, my hot showers, Cetaphil Lotion (my new favorite beauty product), my leisurely winter baths, the drives to and from work and fantastic new music (I got CD's for my birthday/Christmas, remember?). I'm enjoying talking with my friends. I'm (enjoying) spending time with people I love. Which is one of my goals for 2011--I did a lot of that in 2010 and wanted to continue it, because in all honesty--it's the only thing we can give and never regret having given--our time with precious loved ones! I'm enjoying singing, and eating, and listening!

There IS room for it all, if I do a bit of it all. Not everything, I still have to pick and choose just what it is I'll do in a day--we all do. But, I'm finding a balance, I'm finding peace and health and courage and kindness.

So, ten days in, 2011 is pretty good. I know that what I sit here and thank God for, I will inevitably get more of! I know that the rest of the year will be what I make it out to be.

My greatest hope is that I continue to have this much fun--every single day--and that I continue to enjoy it this much, because I really am!

Just for the record, I'm having clean fun, as always. I'm not down on the strip partying my butt off or clubbing around. I'm working and doing chores and what not. But, I find it all so fun--that's all! (Well, maybe cleaning my toilet isn't so fun, but hey, at least I have a toilet to clean and indoor plumbing!)

I'm really happy right now, and once this meat-loaf coma lifts, I know I'll have a ton more energy!

As for the meat loaf binge...who cares? It was worth it, and I certainly won't have an iron deficiency now. LOL! (Beef contains a lot of Iron)

I'm so thankful to my mom for making that meatloaf, for Colin having another birthday (he too survived another crazy year) and for my friends and my family. I'm thankful to Levi for marrying Tessa so that we can have so much fun planning their wedding! I'm thankful to my co-workers and bosses who make every day of work--lots of fun! (We work a lot too, don't get me wrong!). I'm thankful to God for all of the precious, fun gifts He gives me and the ability to enjoy it all!

Now, however, I'm off to bed--I seriously need to sleep!

Thank You, again, Lord, for it all--please let me remain focused each day--on Peace, Health, Courage & Kindness (I've been finding all four, at some point or another, each day this year--so far, so good! I'm hitting all my goals--somehow, someway, in that respect!)--and please keep it all FUN!

In Light N' Love,
-Sarah Liz :)

P.S. I just wanted to give a shout-out to the guys at Discount Tire here in Vegas! They are terrific! They are always so nice and kind to me and really take care of me. They "fixed" my tire for "free" the other day, even though it might've been a little flat and even though I did tip them! Okay, my tire wasn't literally flat, but they were fearing that it might go flat on me, so they took the whole thing off and thoroughly checked it out, even replacing a valve on it for me--too fantastic, guys--thank you so, so, so, very much! I am blessed!