Amy . . .

What would you like to know? I am fun, but crazy. I have a most perfect husband, and 2 cats named Samson and Delilah. We are presently working on adopting a little girl from China and have a separate blog for that. I am a Christian and am working on a better relationship with him. I live in the Atlanta area and love sharing stories with people. I am also a pediatric nurse and I love it! I love to talk and meet new people and I love Disney Cruising

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Dont forget...I need your email if you want to follow my new private blog. Leave it in a comment..I will be the only one who sees them!!

Amy

New private blog

Due to some spamming and needing a change,I have started a private blog for some of my thoughts!!! So, if you want to come with me, leave me a comment here! or come find me on facebook as amy pentz christopher

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

just random thoughts!

Aw, I'm still here. I have not worked on any of the things I want to work on, but my mind is planning on getting motivated. I have so many things I want to start, and I just don't know which one to start. Any understand that?

I am getting ready to start a new Bible Study Wednesday and then we leave for a long weekend to Florida to visit with family which should be relaxing and entertaining at the same time. I have literally had no free time to hit the gym and my feet are killing me. I am putting off going to a podiatrist for sooo many reasons, but its getting bad and I am just going to have to make an appt!

I'm find so many new blogs and I will have to share some of them with you soon!

Don't forget to find me on facebook!

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Sept Challenge

I read a blog about a Sept spending challenge and I will participate. The idea is you spend the next 2 weeks organize and planning and as of Sept you try as long as you can not to purchase anything. Now there are some things you are allowed to purchase such as

gas for car
milk
fresh veggies
meds or things of emergent nature
planned activities such as church function, preschool payment or weekly childcare

You can also buy things if you plan your coupons and sales so they are free!

So I will be stocking up with coupons and planning, and will see if I can make it a week or 2 without non necessary shopping! Anyone else want to try?

Friday, August 13, 2010

Licensed For Trouble


I was lucky to have been given an opportunity to read and review this book and was able to get a free copy in return. This is my 3rd PJ book by Susan Warren and I was once again not disappointed. PJ is such a real character. She is funny and gets into trouble like the rest of us but sometimes seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. If you are fan of Christian fiction, get started with Susan Warrens books! What I love about this author is that she throws in details so that we can really get to know the character, you get to know how she thinks and why she does what she does! Another excellent book by Susan. If you love reading about characters who gets whispers from God in various ways, you have to read her books! ANother thing is that her ending never end like I expect! I love it! Dont forget to keep reading to learn how you can win a Kindle!



Find out more about book one, Nothing But Trouble and book two, Double Trouble.

About Susan May Warren: Susan May Warren is the RITA award-winning author of twenty-four novels with Tyndale, Barbour and Steeple Hill. A four-time Christy award finalist, a two-time RITA Finalist, she’s also a multi-winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice award, and the ACFW Book of the Year.
Susan's larger than life characters and layered plots have won her acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. A seasoned women’s events and retreats speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: From the Inside-Out: discover, create and publish the novel in you!. She is also the founder of
http://www.mybooktherapy.com/, a story-crafting service that helps authors discover their voice.
Susan makes her home in northern Minnesota, where she is busy cheering on her two sons in football, and her daughter in local theater productions (and desperately missing her college-age son!) A full listing of her titles, reviews and awards can be found at:
http://www.christianbook.com/licensed-for-trouble-p-j-sugar/susan-warren/9781414313146/pd/313146?
Enter PJ Sugar's "Sweet" Giveaway


Enter PJ Sugar's

Licensed for Trouble, Susan's brand new PJ Sugar novel, is in stores now! To celebrate the release, we’re giving away a Kindle!! You can enter using Twitter, Facebook, or e-mail using the icons below.
One Grand Prize winner will receive a A SWEET Kindle prize package that includes:

  • A brand new Kindle (Free 3G, 6”, Latest Generation)

  • The entire PJ Sugar series by Susan May Warren


To enter, simply click on the icons below to fill out the entry form, then tell 5 or more friends about the contest.

Oh, and enter soon! Winner will be announced on September 2nd.



Be sure to check out the http://www.litfusegroup.com/Blog-Tours/licensed-for-trouble-blog-tour.html blog tour here or purchase a copy of Licensed for Trouble

and if you have read all the way to the bottom, leave me a comment with the name of your favorite Christian fiction book and I will pick a name to get my copy of the book!

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Back to blogging

I'm back. I miss blogging. I spend way too much time on facebook, don't you? Between frontierville an keeping up with friends, I just spend more time on social things and not the things I want to focus on!
I'm mentally struggling with a lot of things and if you have been a reader of my blog then you have read a lot of this before!
1) I could be a better mom. I love my job as a mom. I could do better. We all can. I am whining or going into some deep depression, just wish I could do more!

2) and these are in no order what so whatever. I could be serving God a lot more. I could be giving more. I want my daughter to see my giving and I want to be an example. But I am not. That has to change

3) I'm tired of being a fatty. You have heard that before. Plump, fluffy, there are many words but I am just FAT! Another example I don't want my daughter to see. I joined a gym again so lets how this goes. I know how to exercise. I know unhealthy foods. Now what to do hmmmmm.

4) Struggling with lifestyle. Keeping a clean house, getting organized, loving my pediatric nurse job

Now with that being said,
I love my life. I love my husband. I love my sweet girl who is blossoming every day and coming up with new words and new ideas. Our new funny phrase is You've got to fight for your right to Party! She is too cute!!!

So hopefully I will begin to blog again about whats in my head and hopefully some of you can hold me accountable!!

If you are reading this, come back tomorrow for a book review and a kindle giveaway by the publisher!!

Let me know that you have come by and if you have been a reader before and if you have a blog

Friday, May 14, 2010

Im still here

Havent posted here or facebook lately.
Still working on weight loss. I see a pattern. I did great my first month, dropped 20 pounds and then I had a bad day that turned into a bad week and well you see where this is going. Every time I diet, I hit 20-25 pounds and this is the end of the healthy dieting. Ugh Hoping for better updates soon.

But I will say, low carb dieting does work!!

I will get there!

Friday, April 30, 2010

A Distant Melody Book revie

Below is some info the publishing gave me. I am so thankful to be given the opportunity to read and review some of the best Christian Fiction out there. I am pretty late with my review so I apologize.

A Distant Melody is a great read with awesome dialogue among characters and a creative story line. I will be honest. Historical fiction is not my favorite but you have to read this. She takes you right back to WW2. I cant wait to read more Sarah Sundin!! Shes being added to my list of favorite authors and this is only the first book of hers that I have read.

This book has a great story line, the main character has to be make a big choice. I am not spoiling it for you but if you want other reviews you need to go visit others on the blog tour!

BLOG TOUR- CLICK HERE




ABOUT THE BOOK:

Never pretty enough to please her gorgeous mother, Allie will do anything to gain her approval--even marry a man she doesn't love.

Lt. Walter Novak--fearless in the cockpit but hopeless with women--takes his last furlough at home in California before being shipped overseas. Walt and Allie meet at a wedding and their love of music draws them together, prompting them to begin a correspondence that will change their lives.

As letters fly between Walt's muddy bomber base in England and Allie's mansion in an orange grove, their friendship binds them together. But can they untangle the secrets, commitments, and expectations that keep them apart?

A Distant Melody is the first book in the WINGS OF GLORY series, which follows the three Novak brothers, B-17 bomber pilots with the US Eighth Air Force stationed in England during World War II.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sarah Sundin is an on-call hospital pharmacist and holds a BS in chemistry from UCLA and a doctorate in pharmacy from UC San Francisco. Her great-uncle flew with the US Eighth Air Force in England during WWII. Sarah lives in California with her husband and three children. This is her first novel.

For more info please visit her website at www.sarahsundin.com!


LOVE THE BOOK?

Don't forget to post a review on Amazon, CBD or B&N!


LINKS

Link to the blog tour on your blog: http://www.litfusegroup.com/Blog-Tours/a-distant-melody-by-sarah-sundin.html



GET SWEPT AWAY! CONTEST
!

THE PRIZE:
The Winner of our ‘NETFLIX® & Nostalgia’ giveaway will receive a vintage prize package, including:

*A 6 month NETFLIX® subscription
*$25 Starbucks® gift card
*A box of See’s Famous Old Time Chocolates®
*A jar of homemade strawberry jam
*A Big Band music CD
*A Mini B-17 Model airplane
*Vintage stationery and pen
*British specialty tea
*WWII style playing cards


HOW TO ENTER:
Stay tuned for a link to the form that we will send out later this week!

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Beaching on

Im still South Beaching. Friday will be 3 weeks and this is totally doable. Love it. I have tried to do a walking video 1-2 times a week but hope to find time to do more. I do laps at work with friends and my other coworkers do lunges. My next goal is to 10,000 steps a day. I'm lucky that my work provided awesome pedometers that actually downloads it to a website.

So if you have any favorite no carb recipes or favorite exercises or videos let me know. I'm always looking for books to read as well or movies too.


Feel free to leave any suggestions!!

Rock on!

Friday, April 23, 2010

phase 1 not ending quite yet

So technically phase 1 is over and I can start bringing back carbs one at a time. After reading words from the South Beach author, I may stay on a bit longer. He says those with a high BMI can and should stay on for an additional week or 2! we will see

13 pounds is what I have lost since starting the diet 2 weeks ago. This might be the time that I lose all this weight..Could it be? I love the discipline that has gone with it..

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Phase 1 almost over

Phase 1 of South Beach will be over tomorrow which means Fri I can start to have good carbs.. Im not sure I want to because I feel comfortable on this part of the diet..But I know the weight loss will stop if I do. LynnMarie and I went to the zoo and had a packed lunch today. I had turkey wrapped around string cheese..


I wanted to share a website with you. I used it when I was on WW and they have info on any diet including message boards and diet recipes..Head over to www.3fatchicks.com and prepare to hang out for a while.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Carb free 9 days later

The scale showed a 10 pound loss today and I am loving that. Not that I can feel it yet, because I cant but because I have been disciplined for almost 10 days. This could work. And I haven't reached phase 2 of the diet yet. Next Friday I will be having a sweet potato. Staying away from then bad carbs but adding one a day I think!!

Work gave us pedometers and an opportunity to track our steps online which is awesome. Lots of us are competing for the most steps. Oh I have a long way to go!

Friday, April 16, 2010

Carb Free 7 days later

You know what that means? That means in 7 days I can start slowly having carbs. I'm thinking we will start with a sweet potato.

All in all, this has not been bad. But I can not wait to eat healthy carbs. I have done the Leslie Sansone Walking video twice and it was fun!!

Tomorrow, I am hoping I will be awake enough to go to the park with LynnMarie!

What have I been eating? Lots of eggs, cheese and meat at breakfast. Ive had turkey burgers and veggies for lunch and tonight I had squash and a breadless burger for dinner. I find that cheese and nuts are the best snack for me right now. I love string cheese and the Lite Mini-Cow wedges!!

So thats my update. currently 8 pounds lighter!

Amy

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Day 5

Yesterday included eggs and bacon for breakfast and left over chicken and beans for lunch. Snacks included cheese, nuts and sugar free desserts.

Last night we did the Sweet Tomato thing and it was great..had a great salad, a sugar free mouse and a bake potato without the potato. I just mixed the toppings which fixed that craving.

Today I made a ham, cheese, egg, mushroom omelets and hope to drink lots of water today.
I also bought a great walking DVD and hope to try that out during LM's nap time!

Amy

Monday, April 12, 2010

Day 3

Well today is day 3 of no carbs and so far so good. Yesterday, LynnMarie and I hit the grocery store for some staples like cottage cheese, chicken, hamburgers veggies, tomato sauce and stuff.

Dinner last night was green beans, chicken breast sprinkled with taco seasoning, and then added mozzarella cheese and salsa..Ok that was good and then dessert, oh dessert!

I would not have believed this was diet food. I melted a sugar free fudgsicle for 10 seconds and the added 2 tbsp p butter ( the kind thats just peanuts and oil) and 2 tbsp and FF Cool Whip (you do got 100 cal of free carbs)..This was sooooo good.

This morning, we had scrambled eggs with cheese and bacon and will have left overs for lunch and then back to work.

I will weigh on Friday and am hoping for at least a 5 pound loss. We will see!

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Wow

Has it really been 2 months since I have posted? Crazy! Its now Spring in Atlanta, everyone is healthy at the time and I have thankful for that.

Not much has been going on. Still working night, still married to my Michael and still in love with the sweetest 2yo ever!!!

I have decided to go South Beach. Seriously, I am going to try. I have A LOT of fatness to lose and I want to be here for a very long time so I need to get my act together. This day 1.5 for me and I am still doing research to make sure I am doing what I should. My problem is I get too hungry and then I fail. Just had a handful of almonds so hopefully that will last.

DO you have any good carb free meals that you want to share? I just eliminated 200 blogs from my bloglines but I am ready to start reading again so if you have a blog that you update frequently, share it with me or share a blog that is a must read! So that's if for today. I am hoping some of my new readers will also be on the weight loss journey and can help me feel accountable

Today we woke up late so we literally skipped breakfast but for lunch I had a large amount of cooked broccoli and sliced turkey! I have had cheese and almonds for snacks and for dinner (I'm working night shift) I will have a Cobb Salad that my husband bought me!!!

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Book Review- Double Trouble

DoubleTrouble


I had another wonderful opportunity to read another book by Susan Warren, Double Trouble!!!

This book is another chapter in the life of PJ, a wonderful, interesting character who seems to have her own way of doing things, but it always seems to work out. PJ struggles with trusting God, like most of us, which is another way that I can relate to her! Another great read by Susan!!! Im loving these books!!! You never know what PJ is going to get into or where she is headed. PJ is misunderstood by many but really does have good intentions.

Click on the button above for information regarding the book, the book tour and a great contest by the author!! She loves to keep her readers up to date. Have any of you read a Susan Warren book? Let me know!!!

About Double Trouble:
With one solved case under her belt, PJ Sugar is ready to dive into her career as a private investigator. Or at least a PI's assistant until she can prove herself to Jeremy Kane, her new boss. Suddenly PJ's seeing crime everywhere. But is it just in her head, or can she trust her instincts? When she takes on her first official case-house-sitting for a witness in protective custody-Jeremy assures her there's no danger involved. But it soon becomes clear that there is someone after the witness . . . and now they're after PJ, too.

About Susan:
Susan May Warren is the RITA award-winning author of twenty-four novels with Tyndale, Barbour and Steeple Hill. A four-time Christy award finalist, a two-time RITA Finalist, she’s also a multi-winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice award, and the ACFW Book of the Year. Her larger than life characters and layered plots have won her acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. A seasoned women’s events and retreats speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: From the Inside-Out: discover, create and publish the novel in you!. She is also the founder of www.MyBookTherapy.com, a story-crafting service that helps authors discover their voice. Susan makes her home in northern Minnesota, where she is busy cheering on her two sons in football, and her daughter in local theater productions (and desperately missing her college-age son!) A full listing of her titles, reviews and awards can be found at: www.susanmaywarren.com

Book Tour Info

Join in on the fun and read other reviews! Here's the link!
*

Blog Tour Schedule! http://www.litfusegroup.com/Blog-Tours/troubles-back-double-trouble-by-susan-may-warren.html

Here's some info on the contest
Be sure to enter the Double Trouble Prize Package Giveaway by clicking on the ‘Double the Sass” button (code for button is above)! Susan’s giving away an iPod prize package that is anything but troubling! Check it out!



Prize Details



Double Trouble, the brand new PJ Sugar novel by Susan May Warren, is in stores now! To celebrate the release, we’re running a HUMDINGER of a contest!!



One Grand Prize winner will receive a $150 SUPER SLEUTH prize package that includes:



* A brand new iPod Shuffle (perfect for those all-night stakeouts)

* A $10 iTunes gift card (we recommend the ALIAS soundtrack)

* A $10 Amazon gift card (why yes, they do sell spy pens)

* A $10 Starbucks gift card (for fuel, obviously)

* A pair of designer sunglasses (be stealthy AND super chic)

* A gorgeous scarf from World Market (can also be used as a blindfold, and/or for tying up bad guys)

* AND signed copies of both Nothing But Trouble & Double Trouble. (romance! danger! intrigue! sooo much better than Surveillance for Dummies!)



Also, I would love to give away my book so just leave a comment by telling my what book you are reading and I will draw a name next Monday!

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Fire

This Wed as I was walking into work, I got a call from my sister telling me to call her ASAP but that everyone was ok. I called her back only to hear that my parents home was on fire! Horrible phone call. We are thankful the fire damaged the house and not my family nor their spirits. Wow. I sit here in Atlanta, unable to go home, but am thankful for the family that is helping.

God is wonderful. Had my mom stayed in the home 5 more minutes, she would have died. Had she picked up the grandkids earlier, I cant even fathom. My parents are starting over. Its a very surreal thing to sit and type this. They are tearing down and building up. My parents emotionally sound wonderful. But God is God and he knew about this fire long ago. All of my moms family lives in Edgewater. I am so thankful that my Grandma had so many kids, as so many of them have helped from the time of the accident.

Pray for them, the entire family. MOm lost her sister to cancer Christmas day, her oldest brother is in hospice care and her mom is suffering from dementia and is now is an assisted living home. satan is trying to stomp all over this family, but that's not gonna happen.

I'm sad. My dad tells me,it was just things. I was more concerned about my parents emotional health than the house. I still wonder if they havent had the "shock" of it all, or if God has just really poured a lot of peace all over them. I am thankful the family Bible was untouched but many pictures will have to be replaced. YOU see it was just a house, but it was my sense of comfort. I always felt at home there, that's just the kind of environment my parents built. and i know it will be built again with the new home.
I am sooo very thankful that everyone was okay.

Last night as I tried to sleep, I decided to get caught up on my Bible study which meant starting the book of Hebrews. I prayed as I always do, that I will hear His voice and learn something new and here is what I read last night


Hebrews 3
1Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. 2He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God's house. 3Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. 4For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. 5Moses was faithful as a servant in all God's house, testifying to what would be said in the future. 6But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast.


Yes it was just a house, but it was a home full of memories and love and my parents worked so hard to make it that way.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Music that encourages

I am really encouraged by music,c, any type, sometimes its just the mood I am in. This moment, now I am encouraged by Mandissa, whose single "He is With You" just reminds of the fellowship God desires with us. It also talks about joy that comes in the morning, after the darkness.

My family experienced darkness today. No one was hurt, but a tragedy none the less, that's effected be greater than I thought. We are okay and joy will come in the morning, but yet, my heart is still heavy.

Jimmy Buffet has encouraged me, other musicians encourage me although theses days I mostly listen to country and contemporary Christian. What artists, songs or lyrics encourage you?

I am also enjoying Toby Mac's City on Our Knees!

Friday, January 22, 2010

is anyone out there?

I am not even sure anyone still reads but, I like many others, spend a lot of time on facebook. Which is sad, because I loved this blog and the friends I have through it. Let me know if you are fb by the way.

I'm still adjusting to motherhood. My daughter is my joy. I am still working on weight loss, I climbed right back on the wagon and maybe I will use this blog as accountability.
We are gearing up for our daughters first birthday party in March along with her first cruise.

This world is a scary place. Each and every day I read and hear of more sadness and each day I pray that my friends and loved ones get to know Jesus!

I really want to know whats been going on with you. So if you are still reading, let me know how you are!!