Some Things I Do

I'm sure by now you've figured out that I always have to be busy doing something crafty - at times my crafts are a bit unusual to some people. Such as decoupaging my daughters bedroom door and decoupaging heads. I love doing heads and have sold a few, plus it relaxes me.

My Head

The Door

I know you're probably nodding your heads about now asking yourself why anyone would want a head in their home, but it really is an art piece. By the time I finish it looks breakable. I want to do a full mannequin, but for now I'm working on half a body.

Here's some of my other projects that I do. Personalized pillows and place mats, tutu's for newborns - adults, and for the pups, costumes and pillowcase dresses and tops.

Pillow

Place Mat

Newborn Tutu

Tutu

dog tutu's

                      Just thought I'd share... still need to show you my photography.

“Everyone has talent. What is rare is the courage to follow the talent to the dark place where it leads.” - Erica Jong

Pillowcase Dress

costume

Look Around

"In the name of God, stop a moment, cease your work, look around you."

Yesterday while Makenna was swinging she would lean her head back looking up at the sky through the leaves on the trees and say, "Wow, look!" She kept a huge smile on her face the entire time. She was pointing at birds in the tree, the cat on the wall, the airplane flying by... taking in the world around her minute by minute.

My neighbors heard her excitement and walked out to watch her as she discovered things around her that we forget to take notice of. My neighbors and I started reminiscing about how we loved swinging as a child. I use to live on my swing... looking up in the sky at the clouds during the day as I turned them into pieces of art in my mind... in the evening it would be the stars that I would stare as I counted them one by one reciting Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

What is about swinging that allows your mind to be free and escape all that consumes you. I find myself sitting on my porch swing several times through out the day as I enjoy the sunshine on my back and escape from my day for a moment.

Take a moment in your day to escape from your busy life - take a look around you and enjoy the free things that life has to offer.

Weekend Fun

I'm still pinning things like a crazy woman on Pinterest and have actually picked up items for a couple of projects, and made a couple of the recipes that I put on my board.

My suitcase

Saturday I went thrift shopping to find an old suitcase which I found for only $10 in perfect condition. I'm actually having second thoughts about cutting and gutting it. If I decided to, this is what the finished project looks like. I know it's kind of weird, but I like unusual and vintage things.

Sunday I decided to make a mexican egg bake from Pinterest. It looked delicious, but my husband an I didn't like it. It didn't have enough flavor. If I were to do it again I would make it with salsa, but I don't think I'll make it again. We also made a lemon cheesecake - it was delicious. It was a no bake recipe... reminded me of a mousse....yum!
http://blogchef.net/lemon-cheesecake-recipe/
http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/09/mexican-baked-eggs.html

We were having such a great time this weekend experimenting with new ideas that we decided to build a swing for the grandkids and hang from our tree. Fun weekend!

P.S I planted a butterfly garden too!

Me and Facebook

I deleted my facebook months ago but I still have people asking me why. So today I'm going to tell the world.

First of all, If I didn't talk to you in high school it's probably the same reason I don't need to talk to you as an adult out of high school. Secondly, no one cares that your eating a cookie, doing a jumping jack, or that you're with your boo. ( don't people have real names anymore) And for the people that their water and electricity is cut off every other month, but they're posting pictures of thousand dollar purses and shoes saying," have to have." Really, in what life time? Oh, and we can't forget the one's that have to comment on everything you post, because in their head they know it all and have done it all. I don't care where you're checking in or where you've been for that matter... don't need to see a million pictures of your baby and don't want to hear about the girlfriends you hate or the boyfriend that left you.  You see, my real friends I already know what happening in their world, what they do, what their interests are, when their birthday is, what their kids, grand kids, and pets look like. We're real friends! So what it comes down to it,  I can't handle fake whiny people in real life or in facebook world.

I think these are funny and so true... don't get your feelings hurt if you're a facebook addict - just thought I'd share.

Value What You Have

I saw this poster and thought, shouldn't we all live like we have less and value what we do have. That's the way I try to live.

I have always felt that if people weren't so materialistic and selfish with their money, there wouldn't be so many people living in poverty. Is it really necessary to have money in the bank that you will never spend in your life time, or your kids life time. Do you have to drive the most expensive vehicle, carry a designer bag or wear designer shoes. What about having a house that has enough square footage to house a few families. I just don't get it. I realize people work hard for their money and success, but giving is the real key to success in my eyes.                          

We have homeless people that didn't choose to be, families without food and water here in the United States. It just shouldn't be... don't become so focused on things that you become blinded to what life is for so many people." Of the world's 6.7 billion people, 1.02 billion people are hungry, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization's "State of Food Insecurity in the World" 2008 figures." Also, Sixteen-thousand children die from hunger-related-causes every day, according to the book, "Where and Why Are 10 Million Children Dying Every Year?" That's something to think about. http://www.ecollegetimes.com/music/wheat-tries-to-save-the-world-1.2494260?pager

As for me, I was not on put on this earth to collect things. When I leave this earth I really don't want people remembering me by what I had or didn't have. I want people to remember me by what I did for others.

I volunteered and was on the board for WHEAT until I opened my store - Tamera Zivic is the executive director and CEO of World Hunger Education, Advocacy & Training (WHEAT) in Phoenix. This is a great organization to get involved with to end world hunger.

If you find it in your heart to care for someone else, you will have succeeded.

     -- Maya Angelou

Service is the rent we pay for being. It is the very purpose of life, and not something that you do in your spare time.

     -- Marion Wright Edelman

Life's most persistent and urgent question is: what are you doing for others?

     -- Martin Luther King Jr.

“When someone steals another's clothes, we call them a thief. Should we not give the same name to one who could clothe the naked and does not? The bread in your cupboard belongs to the hungry; the coat unused in your closet belongs to the one who needs it; the shoes rotting in your closet belong to the one who has no shoes; the money which you hoard up belongs to the poor.” 

― Basil the Great

 

Being A Housewife

housewife [ˈhaʊsˌwaɪf]

n pl -wives

1. (Sociology) a woman, typically a married woman, who keeps house, usually without having paid employment.

I find myself laughing at all the young girls in their 20's posting on twitter that they want to major in being a housewife. I'm curious what their definition of one would be. 

I have worked outside of the home and have been a stay at home mom/housewife. Personally, I enjoy both positions, but I equally enjoy making money. Although I'm home at the moment, I'm always trying to figure out a way to hustle a dollar, but that's just me. To stay home sit and do nothing doesn't exist in my world, besides doing nothing would drive me insane. I run my home like I would my business. Things need to get done correctly and efficiently - some days you put in 12 hours, and typically you don't have weekends off. 

I know with all of the reality Housewives shows many young women might get the perception that being a housewife is socializing and fighting with your friends over ridiculous petty things as you drink your wine. Yes, the shows are entertaining, but reality it's not.. unless you are fortunate/lucky enough to marry the top plastic surgeon or a professional athlete, but for most - not going to happen. I'm not trying to be Debbie Downer, but I'm a realist. 

Most likely you'll be changing your babies diapers, getting up for feedings and cleaning your own house.  (includes scrubbing toilets) Furthermore, you won't have your own make-up artist and stylist coming to your home so you're always looking fabulous. And let's not forget getting gym time in because that can become a challenge. Some days lifting the kids, moving the furniture, bending to pick up toys and pushing the vacuum is your exercise for the day. Also, you will need to learn how shop for items other than shoes and clothes. Such as, food. You will also have to learn how to prepare the food that you purchase and continue to do this little task daily.                                                                                                      

I'm not trying to discourage you if you feel that this is your forte. I say more power to you if being a housewife is what you want to do with your life, but realize it's usually a thankless job, and it's work.

Being a housewife and a mother is the biggest job in the world, but if it doesn't interest you, don't do it - I would have made a terrible mother. (Quote by - Katharine Hepburn) 

To be a housewife is to be a member of a very peculiar occupation, one with characteristics like no other. The nature of the duties to be performed, the method of payment, the form of supervision, the tenure system, the market in which the workers find jobs, and the physical hazzards are all very different from the way things are in other occupations. (Quote by - Barbara Bergmann) 

Be You

I love this quote primarily because I have never fallen in the so called ordinary category. I'm different in my thinking, style, and ideas. I have never been a play -it -safer. When I have an idea or a vision of something, I'm willing to take a risk at it becoming a reality. Finally, I refuse to change who I am to fit in socially. I'm all about loving who you are and embracing each others differences.                  

This morning when I was getting my two year old granddaughter dressed to go out for breakfast she decided to wear rain boots with her outfit. My 11 year old granddaughter said, She's wearing rain boots? "

I love that she has her own style at 2 and doesn't care if the other 2 year old is wearing them. I can't tell you how many people looked at her and made a comment about them. It didn't phase her one bit, and hopefully it never will. It's important to begin loving who you are when you're young... there's plenty of years ahead of people trying to mold you. Hopefully she'll keep her strong will personality and do her own thing without ever feeling like she has to fit in. Like her Grandma!

 I remember in my store this little boy around 3 years of age running around in circles. He yelled out, "I'm running in squares!" I loved it - told his mom, "Now that's a kid that thinks out of the box. "

So think out of the box and embrace your individuality along with embracing others... don't be judgmental, love people for who they are.

What To Do

Lately I have found myself thinking quite a bit about what I'm suppose to be doing with my life. I think that thought passes through most of us every now and then, but it's been going through mine quite a bit... maybe because I just turned 53, or maybe because I'm just not busy enough.

Everyone that knows me will say, "you're busy watching grandkids."  Although that's true... I have to do a 'me' thing. I have a difficult time not being busy doing something hands on... creating something. I love the feeling of crazy busy when you have to multi task like a mad woman.

Anyway, I've been praying about all of this and my good friend Eric Winfield called  - we're collaborating on a project that should come to life in May. Also, another friend has started up a non profit that she has asked me to get on board with. I'm excited to be involved with both since I have a passion for each of their projects. In addition to working with them, I'm going to do my fashion thing again.                                          

This is how God works.... I was thinking about how I hadn't been getting any emails from wholesale companies that I use to purchase from. The same day I talked to my husband about investing in some clothing... woke up this morning to emails from the companies I purchase from. So I got my answer on what I'm suppose to be doing... love how that happens!

"When you pray, be sure that you listen also. You have things you want to say to God, but He also has things He wants to say to you."

How many of you have joined Pinterest? A few of my friends were telling me to check out the site, so I finally did this past week. I can't say that I really understand it, but I'm hooked.

You pin items on boards that you name, such as cooking, design, etc.... guess it's similar to doing a vision or dream board.

I love doing interior design... I have found great ideas that I can duplicate for my home from the walls to flooring and furniture. Furthermore, I was kind of in a slump with my meals lately and have found some recipes that look amazing. For example, doesn't this Vegan burger look delicious? You can find the recipe for it at http://kblog.lunchboxbunch.com/2012/02/easy-sweet-potato-veggie-burgers-with.html And how cute are these cookie monster cupcakes?One of my granddaughters is a cookie monster addict. Her birthday is next month so I'm going to attempt to make them for her.

                                                                                                                                            

Here's a couple of things I want to do to my house.

A pallet wall

Take a look at Pinterest and tell me what you think. http://pinterest.com/ I have a feeling you're going to like it.

Sunday Dinners

Sunday as I was getting caught up on my cleaning and laundry I started thinking about the days when Sundays were strictly reserved for family time.

As a child Sunday was always the day that you just hung out at the house as a big meal was being prepared. My parents tiny kitchen became a busy assembly line while the younger ones stayed out of the way. Unfortunately, I never got the opportunity to partake in the preparation of our Sunday meals, but some of my best childhood memories are from our Sunday dinners.                                                                                                                                                            

This tradition continued when I had my children. We always knew that on Sunday at 11 o'clock we went to my parents home for some good old southern  cooking. There were many times that we felt it was a chore to get there, but we always showed up, and was always on time. As I look back I'm not sure if we made the effort to attend out of respect, or if it was just following years of tradition. I do know at times it wasn't the company, but back then we followed the rule if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all... so you didn't. It was just time spent together as a family no matter what your feelings or opinion was of another. You sat as a family with the food playing the role of the healer and the the peace maker. There's something to be said about family dinners.

For all of you that have managed to keep Sunday as a day for family - I applaud you. I think for most, the good old days of family dinners are gone.

Grandpa Tell Me Bout The Good Old Days, by The Judds http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7E88RUqyjts This song always reminds me of what life once was for most of us.

Ten Rules

The Ten Rules For Being Human.

1. You will receive a body. You may like it or hate it, but it’s yours to keep for the entire period.

2. You will learn lessons. You are enrolled in a full-time informal school called, ‘life’.

3. There are no mistakes, only lessons. Growth is a process of trial, error, and experimentation. The ‘failed’ experiments are as much a part of the process as the experiments that ultimately ‘work’.

4. Lessons are repeated until they are learned. A lesson will be presented to you in various forms until you have learned it. When you have learned it, you can go on to the next lesson.

5. Learning lessons does not end. There’s no part of life that doesn’t contain its lessons. If you’re alive, that means there are still lessons to be learned.

6. ‘There’ is no better a place than ‘here’. When your ‘there’ has become a ‘here’, you will simply obtain another ‘there’ that will again look better than ‘here’.

7. Other people are merely mirrors of you. You cannot love or hate something about another person unless it reflects to you something you love or hate about yourself.

8. What you make of your life is up to you. You have all the tools and resources you need. What you do with them is up to you. The choice is yours.

9. Your answers lie within you. The answers to life’s questions lie within you. All you need to do is look, listen, and trust.

10. You will forget all this.

-Dr. Cherie Carter-Scott, If Life is A Game, These Are The Rules

Enjoy your Sunday!

Last night my girlfriend Arlene invited me to Manuels in Scottsdale to listen to a band that her former high school friend is in. I wasn't sure what to expect, but Alan Harkrader was amazing.(http://www.alanharkrader.com/  He played with the rock group The Gringos in the 70's. 

First photo of The Gringos

I not only enjoyed listening to Alan's incredible voice and guitar playing, but loved how the cantina was filled with Arlene's classmates. They not only enjoy the band, but each others company as well. I think it's great how they have a meeting place to reconnect and reminisce. I felt as if I had known each of them for years as I looked at cell phone pictures and received birthday wishes as Alan sang happy birthday to me. 


 I thank Arlene for introducing me to a fun venue and fabulous people. If you have the opportunity I highly recommend that you stop in at Manuels http://manuelsaz.com/ and take a listen...I guarantee you won't be disappointed. 


Needless to say I had an incredible evening with old friends and new.


Photos from http://www.thegringos.com/

Alan Harkrader

Alan Harkrader

Steve Jones, Ty Newcomb and Alan Harkrader.  Bottom row Lynn (Bush) Tivens and Clyde Score.

This is a poem called A Reason, A Season, A Lifetime.                                                                      

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on. -Unknown

I woke up thinking about this poem because yesterday was my birthday and I received a call from one of my really good friends in Florida. We don't speak often, but when we do it's like we never skipped a beat. As we laughed and caught up with life I thought of when Kim and I first met, and how long our friendship has lasted even being miles apart. We have great memories of our time together in Tucson, being pregnant together, and our kids playing together. In fact, she taught me how to swim when I was in my twenties... that I will never forget.

Isn't it funny how some friendships endure everything and anything and last our entire lifetime, while others seem to be short lived. Maybe this poem is right - our need has been met.

Women That Inspire Me

Today I'm giving myself a birthday gift of dedicating my blog to me with some of my favorite quotes from women that I admire and inspire me.

Nadezhda Mandelstam, Russian writer, Hope Against Hope

I decided it is better to scream. Silence is the real crime against humanity.

Eleanor Roosevelt, activist You Learn by Living

You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, "I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along." You must do the thing you think you cannot do.

Oprah Winfrey, American TV personality

As you become more clear about who you really are, you'll be better able to decide what is best for you - the first time around.

Janis Joplin, American singer

Don't compromise yourself. You are all you've got.

Dolly Parton, singer

If you want the rainbow, you've got to put up with the rain.

Maya Angelou, poet, educator

It is this belief in a power larger than myself and other than myself, which allows me to venture into the unknown and even the unknowable.

Maya Angelou, African American Poet

How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!

Diane Ackerman, Poet

[quoted in Newsweek, September 22, 1986] I don't want to get to the end of my life and find that I lived just the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well.

The following are quotes by Mother Theresa - on the top of my list of great women.

Mother Theresa, social worker

If you judge people, you have no time to love them.

How can there be too many children? That is like saying there are too many flowers.

If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.

The most terrible poverty is loneliness and the feeling of being unloved.

If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one. It is not how much you do, but how much love you put into the doing that matters.

I am not sure exactly what Heaven will be like. But I don't know that when we die and if comes the time for God to judge us, He will not ask, "How many good things have you done in your life?" Rather He will ask, "How much love did you put into what you did?" 

It is easy to love the people far away. It is not always easy to love those close to us. It is easier to give a cup of rice to relieve hunger than to relieve the loneliness and pain of someone unloved in our own home. Bring love into your home for this is where our love for each other must start.

What I can do, you cannot. What you can do, I cannot. But together we can do something beautiful for God. 

Let no one come to you without leaving better and happier.

Love begins by taking care of the closest ones… the ones at home.

If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.

I hope you found some of these quotes motivating and inspirational. I have been reading and keeping quote journals since I was a kid in middle school... my science teacher would have a proverb written on the chalk board each morning - I got hooked. Not only did I get hooked, I found over the years it has been cheap therapy... nothing like a daily dose of inspiration.                                                                                      

  

Another Year

Tomorrow I will be a year older. I have never concerned myself with aging...it just wasn't in my thought process. Although I have plenty of friends that to this day won't reveal their age, and others that almost needed therapy when they turned 40. I just don't get it. In fact, for years I've said I still feel like I'm 17, but something changed when I turned 50.

I feel like someone came in the middle of the night as I slept and snatched my body, leaving me with this old used one. Definitely what once was, isn't anymore. I have always been physically active, but now getting out of bed is part of my exercise regimen. I have to stretch just right before swinging my legs out of bed or it feels like I pulled my hamstring... if I turn my upper body to quickly, it feels like I dislocated my shoulder. Also, my body has to really warm up after I finally get out of bed, otherwise my walk is like doing a shuffling and step move. I use to hear my mom dragging her feet down the hallway in the morning the same way. I would say to my husband, "Seriously, can't she pick up her feet." So now I know. Once I'm up and warmed up I can still move like back in the day... bending is a whole other story though. But, I still don't care about aging, it's all about attitude. My mind now thinks I'm 20 instead of 17, so I'm not sure what 53 is suppose to feel like.

This birthday will be different... I'll be trading in going to the club and dancing until closing for a quiet dinner and a glass of wine. I'm no longer the speeding sports car model... just a luxury classic that has to warm up, but still has a great exterior.

To me, old age is always 15 years older than I am.

Bernard M. Baruch, 1940

More Drug Talk

I didn't anticipate continuing my blog regarding drugs. But, I read an interesting article this morning about Whitney Houston, which led me to ask a question about responsibility.

Chaka Khan was interviewed by Piers Morgan - she stated that someone should have been with Whitney to supervise her - to keep the riff-raff and dangerous people away.

My question is, when does it stop being every one's responsibility to take care of the people that have chosen to live a life of drugs.                                                                                                                    

I've questioned myself with the situation in my family, but I feel at some point people need to take responsibility for their choices. We can't go through life babysitting them... we can't fix someone that doesn't want fixing, and we surely can't be with them 24/7. Furthermore, if they die from drugs I can't place blame on someone else for their death. We need to stop playing the blame game... if people want to get high, they're going to get high.

I've had several people state yesterday that they feel myself and my family are responsible for my son's drug problems. Initially I was irritated by their comments and was allowing it to consume me. But I considered the source... druggies. You can't argue with drugs and ignorance.

CMurray

You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life; and the procedure, the process, is its own reward.

- Amelia Earhart

Give Back

We are not human beings on a spiritual journey. We are spiritual beings on a human journey. — Stephen Covey  

Another one of my favorite quotes that I thought I'd share with you. This quote describes what I work at doing in my life, and what I strongly believe every human should do. I believe that we're all connected and that our main purpose in life is to help others.

I woke up this morning and immediately started working on paperwork for a non profit that I serve on the board - One Step Two Step Operation Hope & At Risk Youth Services  onesteptwostep.org  We're working on a huge President's Day Event in hopes to reach several our troubled youth. After juggling laundry, cleaning house and working on the paper work for One Step Two Step, it inspired me to write a short blog on giving back.                            

I know for most of us we live a busy and at times hectic life - so it's not always easy to remember the less fortunate, much less get involved. But I feel everyone should be involved giving back to their community in some way. As Mother Teresa stated,  “At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by "I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless, and you took me in.”  What a profound statement.

The smallest things sometimes are huge things in someones life. Even the things that we typically take for granted... food, shelter, transportation, clothing and water to name a few. I've been involved with many organizations - trust me, they will all accommodate your schedule when it comes to you volunteering. So find where your passion is and share it with the world!

Albert Einstein:

"It is every man's obligation to put back into the world at least the equivalent of what he takes out of it."

          Oprah Winfrey:

"I don't think you ever stop giving. I really don't. I think it's an on-going process. And it's not just about being able to write a check. It's being able to touch somebody's life." 

Super Papa

It's funny how my 2 year old granddaughter thinks her Papa is the answer to everything in life.

Every time the computer messes up she yells, "Call Papa." I couldn't find the pasta... call Papa. The call Papa list goes on and on... in her eyes he can do everything.

I have always envied my friends that have been blessed with the privilege of having their grandparents in their life. I love hearing the fun stories and their silly family songs. In fact, my husband has passed on his family Nimmy Nommy song to our children and grandchildren - it has brought smiles and laughter to each of them. I'm pretty sure 'Nimmy Nommy' will be around our family for generations to come... I love knowing that.

I believe that the relationship between a grandchild and grandparents is one of life's free small treasures - leaving everlasting memories in their hearts.                                                                                          


Grandparents want to share their legacy with their grandchildren and enrich their growing up experience. Thankfully my grandchildren have been blessed with having their grandparents in their lives. If I can add some memories in their heart to carry on...I don't feel as cheated in missing out on the experience with my grandparents.

There's nothing like having a grandchild to restore faith to heredity. ~Doug Larsen

Grandparents are a family's greatest treasure, the founders of a loving legacy, The greatest storytellers, the keepers of traditions that linger on in cherished memory. Grandparents are the family's strong foundation. Their very special love sets them apart. Through happiness and sorrow, through their special love and caring, grandparents keep a family close at heart. ~author unknown

Lover of Valentine's Day

Valentines Day is just around the corner. Personally that's one holiday (if you can call it that) I've never bought into. My feeling is, it's just another overly commercialized day that retailers guilt people to spend money on. I shared that opinion with my 10 year old granddaughter, and her response was, "How can you not like Valentine's Day, it's a day of love."

Do you really have to take one day out of 365 of them to show and tell someone that you love and care about them? I don't think so. I pick up random gift items for  the people in my life through out the year, along with putting cards in the mail, or sending a text message when I'm thinking of them. I know it's fun for kids... they get to pick out a cute box of cards for their classmates and decorate boxes to put them in, but truthfully, it gave me anxiety as a kid. I had the stress of creating a beautiful box that would be displayed in the classroom, and then the headache of what card to give to what kid. I can't give a greeting card that the message isn't right for that particular person - There has to be thought behind it for me.

So take some time to think about what it is that you love about Valentine's Day. Is it the material items that just end up becoming sentimental possession's?  I know that I don't want or need a stuffed animal, or balloons... not interested in chocolate unless I happen to be craving it on Feb. 14th, and lingerie is a word that's not in my vocabulary. But who am I?

I'm not telling any of you romantics to quit your yearly routine of celebrating the day. I just ask that you spread the same love through out the entire year versus a designated day. Maybe there should be a Just Because Day.

There's some really funny definitions of Valentines Day in the Urban Dictionary... at least I think they are.  http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=valentine's%20day

Happy February 14th!

Live

"Some people drift through their entire life. They do it one day at a time, one week at a time, one month at a time. It happens so gradually they are unaware of how their lives are slipping away until it's too late."

Mary Kay Ash

I love this quote because I believe this happens to often to so many people. For example, my mother lived her entire life for other people. She didn't get to do the things that she truly loved, or experience life outside of her environment. She allowed other people to dictate her life, and she got lost in the shuffle along the way. By the time life allowed her to be herself... it was to late. She didn't have the energy, the desire, or age on her side to pursue her dreams.

I myself have been guilty of drifting certain times in my life - living day by day, but not really living. I've worked jobs that I allowed to consume me to the point of where I wasn't enjoying the little things that I'm blessed with each day. However, over the years I have learned to live my life to the fullest, while being thankful for each day that God has blessed me with. Hey, if I wake up in the morning that's a great thing, and something to be thankful for. I owe it to God and myself to make it the best day that it can possibly be.

That's how I live my life... as I've always said, " I'm leaving this world with no regrets. "

I know it's easier said than done, but don't let life consume you to the point that you become lost in it. Because when you're finally ready to enjoy it.. it just might be to late. CM

Zumba Night

Zumba was my choice of exercise last night for the first time in a long time. My daughter was subbing a Zumba class at  her gym so naturally I attended. We're both certified instructors, but it's been over two years since I've taught or participated in a class. http://www.zumba.com/ It kicked my butt, but felt amazing.

I love any type of aerobic exercise that involves dance with upbeat music, which is exactly what Zumba gives you. Also, it's amazing how many calories you burn in an hour. I encourage everyone that wants a fun way to get in shape to find a class and give it a try. Initially the first class can be a bit intimidating only because they yell out moves such as salsa, samba, or beto  - unfamiliar dance moves to most, but once you get the steps down, it's a blast.

THE ORIGINAL "FITNESS-PARTY"

As a fitness instructor in his native Cali, Colombia, Beto's life took an unexpected turn one fateful day in the mid-'90s when he darted off to teach an aerobics class and forgot his traditional aerobics music. He improvised using his own mix of music from tapes he had in his backpack (salsa and merengue music he grew up with). Spontaneously he created a new kind of dance-fitness, one that focused on letting the music move you (instead of counting reps over the music). Energy electrified the room; people couldn't stop smiling. His class loved it! And on that day, a revolutionary new fitness concept was born – the Zumba^® Fitness-Party. http://www.zumba.com/en-US/about/

Get that body moving!

How's Your Sleep

OMG Facts tweeted yesterday that you can survive days without eating but will live 11 days from not sleeping. http://www.omg-facts.com/ I'm teetering on being sleep deprived at the moment.

My 2 year old granddaughter has been staying the night and she won't sleep in her room.  She is a 2 year old that is the height of most 4 year olds, and she sleeps horizontally. It's not bad the nights that I get her head in my chest, but when its a night of the feet and getting kicked... forget about it. No sleep!

I did some research and of course there has always been pros and cons about children sleeping in the same bed. Dr. Phil is opposed to it  - one of his reasons is it can cause regressive behavior. http://drphil.com/articles/article/114 Personally I disagree - I loved having my kids by me and saw no side effects from it. They knew that they were always welcome in my bed, so naturally the same rule goes for the grandkids. It's just this is the first time having a little giant that sleeps crooked in it.

http://www.redbookmag.com/kids-family/advice/cosleeping-parents-kids

I believe co-sleeping, the family bed, or whatever you want to call it is a personal choice like breast feeding. What you decide is best for your child and you is the way you should go. "Currently, most child development experts, even those who were previously opposed to co-sleeping, take a middle-ground position on a family-that-sleeps-together policy. Most now admit that an issue this personal has to be decided by you, taking your own family's needs and cultural background into consideration." http://www.parents.com/baby/sleep/co-sleeping/the-family-bed/

Happy Sleeping!

Damn You

Damn You Auto Correct is a website that I recently found while surfing the web. It consist of iphone fails...most not appropriate for children to read. http://damnyouautocorrect.com/  But it's the funniest site that I've come across in a long time - you have to check it out.                                 The day that I found  it I couldn't stop reading page after page of text messages gone wrong.  I went from sitting at the computer reading and laughing out loud, to my couch using my cell so I could continue the madness. Before I knew it I had 4 other people sitting around laughing... each trying to read out loud but couldn't because we were all in hysterics. I couldn't even see after awhile from my tears of laughter making my eyes burn from my mascara. As I looked around the room at us it reminded me of our game nights we use to have. Each of us trying to be first, speaking over each other, and talking all at once. The only thing that was missing was an argument... that usually happens at our game nights.

So next time you need a good laugh or there's a lull at your soiree... Damn You Auto Correct is the site to be on.

“There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor.” 
― Charles Dickens

Super Bowl Day

It's Super Bowl Sunday so who cares what, or if I blog today... who's going to read it?                            

I know all you die hard football fanatics and commercial lovers will be preparing through out the day for your parties... waiting for the big moment. I wish I was right there with you. But, my excitement and anticipation is waiting for The Voice - it's back on right after the Super Bowl. http://www.nbc.com/the-voice/                                                                                                   Admittedly, I know nothing about football, but my husband compares my obsession with the Real Housewives Shows to that of a football fanatic. So I get it!

Enjoy your Super Bowl Sunday and I will talk to you on Monday!

Just some Super Bowl info... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Bowl_XLVI

Good Times!

I was driving home listening to the radio when the song Too Close, by Next http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwEZRPkAAu8&ob=av3e  came on. It took me back to the days of hanging out at The Orange Tree Resort in the lounge on a Friday or Saturday night listening to Dony's rendition of that song. We would dance up until the band ended. The band was Tribe 7 with Dony Adair.

We became friends with Dony and had many parties and probably too many great times there. But, it was always fun with the regulars on Friday and Saturday nights. It just so happened that the last night we were there, the lounge was closing and the band was searching for a new venue.

 Dony is still singing and is with the Tre Ja Vu Band. http://trejavuband.com/fr_donyadair.cfm

I would love to find a place again like the Orange Tree where it's not full of 21 year olds and fake boobs. Not that I'm opposed to either one, but I like a variety.


                          The Orange Tree lounge left us with great memories... good times!

“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination 
and life to everything.” 
― Plato

Dance is the hidden language of the soul. *Martha Graham*