Goodbye 30's...

We've had some really good times,

We've had some really bad times.

I cried a lot,

but I laughed a lot too.

I've given in to some things,

and I've fought harder for others.

I've learned that turning 40 is not old,

It's mature and can be quite sexy!

I'm learning to forgive myself,

and to be honest with myself...

I've learned to stand up,

and speak up!

I've learned that experiences hold more value,

and materialistic things fade.

I've learned that I love "giving",

but that doesn't necessarily mean that "I'll be getting".

I've learned to let go of the bad in my life,

In order to make room for the good...

I've learned that when I'm not at my best,

My family suffers...

I've learned to live intentionally,

Not to just "exist"...

I've learned that turning 40 brings me freedom,

and some things aren't as important anymore...

I've learned that it's okay to be me,

and people can either love it or leave it.

I've learned that forgiving others,

Feels so much better than holding grudges.

I've learned that no matter how nice I am,

Some people may not like me and that's okay...

I've learned that acts of kindness,

go a long way.

I've learned that failure sucks!

But not trying is worse...

I learned I have the power to BELIEVE,

and the choice to be HAPPY!

So CHEERS to me! I've reached the top of the hill...

I think it's time to make my way up a mountain!

Disconnected

We were about a block away from home yesterday when I realized I left my phone charging on the kitchen counter.  We were on our way to a movie and then to get some dinner so I knew that I'd be without it for quite a few hours.  My hubs offered to turn back... We were only one block away.

I had a quick flashback to when there were no cell phones.  We'd leave our home and be completely disconnected from everybody that wasn't with us.  I also thought about how that made it possible to be completely, undividedly, dedicated to the person/people you were with... no distractions, no alerts, no posts, no emails, no games nudging you to take your turn....

"Nope," I said to my hubs.... "I.don't.need.it"

My cousin's hubby told me about a fun exercise he heard about... Go out to eat with friends and everyone puts their cell phones in the middle of the table.  Whoever gives in and picks up their phone first, also picks up the tab!! LOL! I thought that was a brilliant idea!  My hubby, yeah, not so much...

Getting back to last night... The movie we picked was Jack Reacher starring Tom Cruise.  I don't love the dude but I really do enjoy his movies.  So, then, I guess that means I like him...?  Oh and I do have to make a note that I checked the parent guide in IMDb and I wish I would have read it more carefully because I really felt guilty about taking Ethan to see that. (Ethan is 10yrs old)  About half-way through the movie, I made him dim the light on his 3DS and play video games for the rest of the movie... (and no, nothing distracts him when he's playing video games so it was fine)  I thought the violence should have been scored more at an 8/10 not a 6/10.   Lesson learned... ok!  No spoiler here really, just that the character, Jack, talks about how he is completely disconnected from everyone and everything.  He lives his life, day by day with no cell phone or computer and feels that he is the one who is "free"... and the rest of us are not free at all.  I gotta say, in my opinion, he's right!

Okay so I wouldn't want to be completely disconnected like Jack Reacher.  I like my phone and I like my computer and I like feeling connected to some people on a daily basis.


Question:  Being that I was only a block away from home... if it was you, would you have turned back for your phone?  Have you ever been "disconnected"?  For how long?

Happy New Year!

I know, I know... I'm fifteen days late!

My New Year is kinda funky right now.  It has started off good... and bad.

Good news...
I got to ring in the New Year with my uncle and my wonderful, out-of-town cousins.  It was a nice, cozy celebration.  I don't like to go out on New Year's... not yet anyway.  I'm terrified of something bad happening and leaving my boys with no parents.  What else is good? Well, we lived to see the year 2013!  Woohoo! No seriously, I never believed that nonsense!  Let's see... I'm eating healthier and working out again.   And most importantly, we started going to church again!  Looking to take their introduction classes and signing up for some of their study sessions as well as they are very needed and so overdue...

........whiiiiiiiich brings me to the bad news.  ........whiiiiiiiich I realize now that I don't feel comfortable putting it out there so let me just say this.

Family is number one.

FOR YOUR SPOUSE:
Your spouse is your best friend, treat them that way.
Have date night with you spouse.
Compliment your spouse.
Be spontaneous.
Always support their dreams.
Listen to them, don't just "hear" their words.
Be playful :O)
and most importantly...
LET GO OF THE PAST.

FOR YOUR KIDS:
Cherish your children, they are miracles.
Tell your children you love them daily even if they've upset you earlier in the day.
Hug your children, OFTEN.
Respect your children, demonstrating respect is how THEY learn!
Use kind words with your children.
Teach your children compassion, by demonstrating it.
Say sorry to your children when you are at fault.
Always kiss your children goodnight.

FOR YOU:
Love yourself.
Give yourself.
Respect yourself.
Be true.
Be loving.
Learn.
Surround yourself with positives!


Letting people treat you badly over and over again, whether it's verbally, or physically, or mentally is no way to treat yourself.  And yes, if you are allowing it to happen then YOU are basically treating yourself poorly.  I have to add, that sadly, you have to purge your life of those negative things even if it means losing family members.  Some people never change.  Learn from other's mistakes and break the cycle.

This is how I plan on having a fantastic and healthy year and I hope yours is (and has been so far) just as great!

What kinds of goals do you have for the year?

Here I am with my wonderful sons and hubby

of almost 19 years! :O)

Such-a-Quitter!

Yes I admit it! I'm a quitter... or, is it considered quitting or just putting it on the back burner til it peaks my interest again?

What am I talking about? Everything.... photography, painting, drawing, sewing, crafts, jewelry, cooking, fashion, nail art, scrapbooks, pretty much everything artsy that I've jam packed my craft room with. When I discover something new, it completely envelopes me and shortly after, I'm moving on to the next thing. But I do have to state, that eventually I circle back to my other hobbies.

 

So here I am, attempt number "Quatro" at blogging.  I quickly grew annoyed by my other blog's name.  I hated saying it and I hated having to spell it out.  I also think it was hard for people to remember.  I wanted it to be simple and I decided that I didn't want my name in the title of my blog.  I needed a new name and there is one that has stuck with me for the past three days... Hello Monday.  How did I come up with that?  I get a bit impatient when I get an idea. I'm not the type of person that says, "I'll start Monday" or "Maybe next Monday".  Monday's always seem to be the best day to start something for most people even though it's the most hated day of the week.  Fortunately for me, I'm a SAHM so I can start any day... So today, is my Monday!

So out on a limb I go!  I'm posting to nobody and hoping that somebody finds my little corner and becomes my first new follower.

I promise to share with you my roller coaster life with photography projects and jobs, art projects, new discoveries, holiday crafts, and everything in between.

Cheers ;o)