Thought of the day...

"In daily life we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy."

- David Steindl-Rast

One of the joys....

Living in a small town. At times it makes me crazy.....there are no quick trips to the mall, hardware store, fabric store, etc.....especially after 6 PM. There are only two sit-down restaurants in town, where you are actually waited on. Going to a movie is out of the question without driving at least 10 miles. It can be quite inconvenient. But then again, there are other times when I appreciate living where I live.

I went for a walk last night and it was so NICE. It was quiet! There was no traffic! I waved several times people I knew! I felt safe!

Now, I know that bad things can happen anywhere...even in G-ville and I would never totally let my guard down. But I also know if something were to happen, I could knock on just about any door and I would not be turned away.

So, while things may be inconvenient at times.....I'm grateful for the place where I live!

The blogs I stalk!

For a few months now I have been following (more like stalking) several fashion blogs. I am so addicted to them at this point. I have a hard time if i don't find out what everyone is wearing today. If you are interested, check them out. I have some favorites of course.....Already Pretty - Fell 4 Fashion - and from Sneakers to Stilletos are a few of my favs!

Are you addicted to any blogs???? Or is it just me?

What's in a name???

The other day I was thinking about names. Our parents carefully and thoughtfully picked our names. Then when we became parents, we did the same for our children. Yet, over time, it seems our names change into NICKNAMES. Our names are replaced with a shorter version or variation of our given name....or changed to a description of a characteristic, job, personality, etc. Nicknames can pretty much come from anywhere....

Jared becomes "Flash" because he is a fast runner for his significant size;
Emily becomes "Em" because she's simply an Em;
Mallory becomes "Malz" (spelled with a "z" not an "s"-she changed it);
Mackay becomes "Mack" unless I am unhappy with him....then he is known as "Son"
Isabelle becomes "Iz"or "Izzy"-I tried "Red" on her the other day and she wasn't sure she liked it; and
Gracie becomes "Goop" for who knows why...it's just what her Dad calls her.

Some nicknames are terms of endearment, others are thrust upon us and we wish to forget they ever existed....Some are created out of circumstance. I have decided that overall nicknames are FUN, as long as they don't tear a person down. It makes me smile to hear Jared's friends call him "Flash" (I heard him called "Flashdance" this weekend....gave me a whole new perspective-Ha Ha).

So, whether you are known as Hummer, Stinky, EJ or Dr. No.....your nickname is part of who you are. Just remember when it's time to pay taxes......It's you that has to pay them.....not Flash!

Wise words....

Once a year I see my doctor, to check my thyroid hormone levels and update my tummy meds (darn reflux). I have had this same doc for about seven years so he knows me pretty well. I saw him last week. He always asks me about work, the kids, and now Jared. We talked for a while about marriage and what makes a successful marriage. Obviously, we talked about values, communication, spending time together, and stuff like that but one thing he said was.....

"I think the most important key to a successful marriage is to love your spouse for who he is....not what you want him to become."

How true this statement is!!!! Take a minute tonight and look at your spouse and ask yourself if you love him/her for what they are.....

I DO!!!

What made me SMILE today...

So this is what my drive looked like today...Is it UGLY or what? What a depressing way to start the day....

But when I arrived at work, look what was in my IN BOX...

I found my SMILE!!!!

Thanks Mel-for sending me a ray of SHINESHINE from Seattle!

Read a good book lately???

MY BRAIN NEEDS FOOD!

My mind is starving! Until last week I had not read a book for almost a year (unless you count the book I read about Dental Insurance Benefits-Woot Woot!) and I need to feed my brain! So, I went to my trusty book list and picked out a book. And the winner was...."The Memory Keepers Daughter." So I spent last week reading. Well, this book did not feed my brain with the kind of food it was craving! You know how sometimes you are hungry so you eat but what you eat doesn't satisfy you? That is were I am! It wasn't a bad book by any means....just not what I was looking for. So my blogging friends, before I head back to the book list....ANY SUGGESTIONS? Has anyone other there read a fab book they would like to recommend?

Side note...Please no John Grisham, Dan Brown, Stephanie Meyers, or Nicholas Sparks....I have had my fill of them for now.

Bring on the book titles.....I am ready!

I can't contain myself any longer.....

WE ARE GOING ON A CRUISE!!!

Well, there you have it! I didn't want to be silly by announcing a trip but I am so excited! And, I needed to put a counter on my blog so I could actually SEE the time passing! Jared is so sweet! He totally surprised me with the news on Christmas! Isn't he awesome??? Some fab friends are going with us too! I can hardly wait! Here we come CABO!!!

Thought of the Day....

This may not be the cheeriest of thoughts.....but sometimes we need to be reminded that what doesn't kill us makes us stronger.

"Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars."
- Khalil Gibraned

One more thought from our beloved Scarlet O'Hara...don't forget- - "tomorrow is another day."

Seven Days.....No Caffine!

It's been 7 days....am I really going to say "good-bye" to my beloved diet Pepsi? I am thinking so....

The constant dull headache is pretty much gone! I think I will be okay now! Diet Pepsi and I have been friends for a very long time. I just think it's time we parted ways. Maybe being addicted to caffine isn't the worst addiction out there but it's my addiction and I don't want to be addicted anymore!

I am not totally off pop yet but that is the next thing I plan on tackling (baby steps, baby steps). I'm not getting any younger and I need to focus on my health a little more this year than I did last year.

I think this goal will be easier to reach than my "no shopping for a year goal".....that goal is LONG GONE! But I am still trying to keep the shopping to a minimum. I still have a lot in the closet that must be used.

What are your goals for 2010?