Deb Smouse

As the end of the year approaches, I have been giving a lot of thought to goals for the next year. When it boils down to it, examining what you would typically categorize as “wants and dreams” and seeing how you can make them goals which are both realistic and yet far-reaching enough to [...]

Today was day two of my renewed commitment to get back into shape.  If I’m going to exercise, I have to embrace it the way I need to embrace it - and that is with free weights as part of my routine.  Oh, there is nothing like the joy of skull-crushers and 17-lb dumbbells or [...]

I have loved behing home for such a long stretch.  It’s been over a week (we won’t count the one day trip to Chicago).    I haven’t spent this solid a stretch here since April.    What I have I forgotten, though, is the sheer volume, and cycle, of dishes and laundry.
Seriously.  Where has everything come from?

I am not a crowd person, so the thought of going out on Black Friday to shop was not on my radar.  I did, however, get updates from two of my guy friends who ventured out today.  One, at 6:05 AM from Cabela’s in Indianapolis and one at 6:35 from Arlington, TX.   Then, as I [...]

I cannot look my blog in the mirror and not stay these words:  I have gained some weight.
I think it’s something many folks find when they hit their 40’s…you put on a few pounds that seem a littler harder to take off.  And I also have to remember that though I am only 40, and [...]

I’m on my second cup of coffee and a have opened a carton of peach yogurt.  The animals have been fed and are already napping again.  Kid’s boyfriend is here, she is in the shower, and the younger kid is awake now.  We are scheduled to meet my folks for an early lunch at 11 [...]

My horoscope for the day, thanks to Tarot.Com was spot-on today.

Deb’s Horoscope:
These past years have forced you to do some very deep self-analysis. A slow and powerful transformation is underway now that will force you to become more serious about your life’s purpose. There’s no need to consider any immediate changes in your overall path, [...]

Thanksgiving brings to mind family gatherings and, of course, food.  I grew up in the south and the standard was Turkey and Cornbread dressing, mashed potatoes, candied yams, green beans, and pecan pie.  In the larger family gatherings, there is also the other rare food items that don’t get made except for holiday gatherings.  I [...]

I’ve been remembering my dreams the last few nights.  Not full-blown dreams like Melissa seems to do, just those traces of things.  Last nights dreams were those frightful dreams…where I knew that I was dreaming and I told myself I was dreaming and that it wasn’t real.   It wasn’t one of those chasing dreams, either.  [...]

I still have one old-fashioned clock.  You know the kind I mean.  It has big numbers, runs on a battery, and has not only a minute hand and hour hand, but also a second hand.  The second hand actually clicks as the moments edge to the next minute.  The clock lives in my office, and [...]

The hardest part of the public meetings was not being able to stop and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

The Public Meetings for the project I have been working on for the last six+ months are taking place this week in New Mexico.  Tuesday morning as I mentioned was in Carlsbad, NM and on Tuesday night, there was a meeting held in Roswell, NM.  We had a couple of hours after we arrived to [...]

I am in Carlsbad, NM and last night I stayed in a motel that I swear to you was a throw-back to the 60’s or 70’s  and Family Road Trips.  Except, I was alone in the room and without parents or a sibling.  And to be honest, it was kind of….scary.  Top that off with [...]

We are making the drive from West Texas (Midland) into New Mexico (Hobbs).  I don’t know if it’s the endless visage of dead grass and flat road ahead or if it’s trying to work on the laptop while riding that is makng me feel a little naseous.  Acually, we are in New Mexico now.  Just [...]

While I was gone this week, we were “upgraded” to digital cable.  I have not yet figured out the best way to work the remote.  It’s complex.   But there is TNT on-demand and I can put “In the Line of Fire” on as I get ready to really wrap things up.
I am feeling kind of [...]