My daughter and I were watching a TV program on ranches the other night. That show reminded her of her love of horses. She hasn't mentioned them in a while. Which is surprising, as she was practically obsessed with them for a while. A couple years ago we actually looked into getting her riding lessons. We researched horse saddles, and thanks to this Manhattan Saddlery Review, decided on some very nice equipment for her. Of course being that she was a young child, her interest changed at the drop of a hat, and we never followed through with the lessons.

Now that she's a bit older, I would definitely let her have lessons if she wanted. I was waiting for her to bring up lessons while we were watching the show, but she never did. Maybe I'll surprise her for her birthday. I know she would absolutely love that. It's not a cheap hobby, but I think with a dedicated child it can be well worth it. When children take lessons and are doing what they love, their self esteem goes way up. It also teaches them a ton of responsibility. So, maybe riding lessons will be in her future. I also wanted to mention how darn cute she'll look in a riding outfit!

Contribution by Kennith Griffin

I finally saved up enough money to log onto Macy’s.com using my clear internet Baltimore and order my dream cookware. I have been wanting to upgrade my cookware for years, but it is so expensive. I have been searching the internet and website for the best prices on the All-Clad Copper Core sets for years. The copper core is really the best you can buy right now. I like it better than the full copper because the stainless that polishes the outside of the pots and pans makes them so much easier to clean. My mom suggested that we get the copper core instead of the copper because they cook just as good and don’t have to be constantly polished. I have to admit, they are not quite as pretty as the exposed copper, but they cook great! I went with Macy’s because they had a slightly different set than Williams-Sonoma. They also had a sale when I ordered them and I ended up getting fifteen percent off. It doesn’t seem like much, but when you are ordering one thousand dollars worth, it saves you one hundred and fifty bucks!

Everyone knows that your face is your identity. It is what people notice first about you, and can make or break a person's confidence. Blemishes or blotchy patches on the skin can result in years of torture for a young person, and can cause problems for adults as well. I have known many people that, because of their skin, were very depressed and down about themselves. I myself have never faced these challenges, and hope and pray that my daughter doesn't either.

Luckily for those that are facing blotchy skin, a dark spot cream will often help. Natural creams are great, too many products now use chemicals, and most people do not even know what they are putting on their skin. So I am a huge fan of natural products. I even use natural cleaning products where possible. I would love to see every person proud of their face and skin. It is, I think, one of the most important parts of our body, and we should treat it well. So definitely look into if it is something that affects you.

I saw this the other day and it gave me a good little chuckle, so I thought I'd share! Hope you enjoy!

It is now well into the new year, so how is everyone doing with their new years resolutions? I think it's around this time of the month that people start giving up or saying to heck with whatever resolution they chose. So many people choose losing weight, to quit smoking, save money. I chose to lose weight, of course. I pick the same thing every year, and will continue to pick the same thing every year until I actually do it. I am still working towards my goal to lose 45 lbs this year. I haven't weighed myself, but I feel much better and I've been fairly good with my food choices. I am fairly confident, and will be weighing myself this weekend, so wish me luck!

My best friend on the other hand chose to quit smoking again, and has pretty much given up. So I'm hoping to get her back on track soon. I'd hate to lose my friend over a nasty habit. I'm sure she wouldn't want to lose me over my intense love of all sweet and fatty foods either. We wanna be around for each other for a long time. So we have to make healthy choices, as should everyone.

I hope you all are doing good with your resolutions and health choices. Leave me a comment and let me know!

Pain is something that I, and I'm sure everyone else on this planet, can do without. This past week I have been waking up every morning with a ton of back pain. The pain kind of radiates from my lower back into my shoulders and neck. It's not fun. I'm sure my pain is nothing compared to my cousin's, who will be going to the laser spine institute soon for a spinal injury. I can't even imagine what he is going through. I guess even though we are in pain and suffering, we must always remember that someone out there has it worse than we do. Be thankful for what you are not going through.

Today I am looking for a guitar teacher for my daughter. She has been super interested in learning how to play the guitar lately. So I thought that it would be a great extracurricular activity for her. She's at the age now where she gets home, and is bored stiff. She's not all that into toys anymore, so a guitar lesson might just be the thing for her. Music ability runs in her family also, so I'm sure she'll be a natural! :)

This is what I'm trying to avoid. Now that we have snow...a good foot and a half in the last week...I feel like I'm going to start eating more. I always eat and vegetate in the winter, and of course gain weight. I really am going to try not doing that this year! I need to find a winter activity that I like. Skiing is out...because my balance is HORRIBLE...any other ideas for me?

So I've been looking at getting a regular brick and mortar job, which for those that don't what that is, is a regular job outside of the home, in a building. I've been kind of slacking off lately and not working like I should, and the bank account is showing it. I looked online at some bank and Network Installer Jobs today, and I might apply. I think not having the structure of having a regular job is detrimental to my well being. So this lady is about to get back on the job scene! I also need to get on the treadmill! lol!

So it is the New Year, and with the New Year comes new goals. My goal this year is to lose 45 lbs and keep it off. That last part is the tricky part..lol. I'm making an effort to not eat as much and have been moving a little bit more. I really need to find the time to exercise, but I don't know when. It seems like I'm always busy running somewhere, or doing something for someone. I really need to make 2012 the year that I focus on myself...inside and out. Changes need to be made in my life, and I need to be the one to step up and make them. No one can do it, but me. So here's to a great 2012!