On Wednesday, I am scheduled to get out of town and head north for the holidays! Yay! I plan to be with my family for almost three weeks, so I'm quite excited about that. However, our weather prediction for the next three days: snow, snow, snow. Errg.
Keep your fingers crossed that I'm able to get out of here with no trouble!! :)
Monday, December 15, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
Thankfulness
This morning I've found myself spending a lot of time thinking about the things that I'm thankful for. I decided to share them with you.
* I'm thankful for honest people that I can trust and that I don't have to question their intentions all the time.
* I'm thankful for simplicity.
* I'm thankful for people who love me for who I am and who don't expect me to be something else.
* I'm thankful that I truly know what it is to be loved.
* I'm thankful to have a secure job that pays the bills and allows me to have a nice home.
* I'm thankful to understand that life is short and that I need to make the best of each moment.
* I'm thankful that while I enjoy solitude, I also enjoy times with my friends.
* I'm thankful that I understand that even though I've failed thus far to really get going on my "NOW" year's resolutions, I know that I will begin them soon and I don't need to be hard on myself because of the slow start. :o)
And you? Are you thankful for anything today? I have to admit, again, that it really changes your perspective on the day when you stop and write out what you're thankful for, so I strongly recommend it to anyone!! :)
* I'm thankful for honest people that I can trust and that I don't have to question their intentions all the time.
* I'm thankful for simplicity.
* I'm thankful for people who love me for who I am and who don't expect me to be something else.
* I'm thankful that I truly know what it is to be loved.
* I'm thankful to have a secure job that pays the bills and allows me to have a nice home.
* I'm thankful to understand that life is short and that I need to make the best of each moment.
* I'm thankful that while I enjoy solitude, I also enjoy times with my friends.
* I'm thankful that I understand that even though I've failed thus far to really get going on my "NOW" year's resolutions, I know that I will begin them soon and I don't need to be hard on myself because of the slow start. :o)
And you? Are you thankful for anything today? I have to admit, again, that it really changes your perspective on the day when you stop and write out what you're thankful for, so I strongly recommend it to anyone!! :)
Monday, December 8, 2008
"NOW" Year's Resolutions!
The other day I had this idea...I'm going to make some new year's resolutions! I know that's not a new (pun intended) concept for people, but I don't usually do them because I'm not good with follow through. So, why set myself up for failure, right?! Ha! But this year, I have a couple of things that I want to accomplish. Here's my list:
1. Cook more meals at home.
2. Restrict my eating out at restaurants to 1-2 times per week and that includes weekends. (And, yes, this one is subject to have an additional meal added (Ex. 1-3 times per week), depending on what I discover in my "eating out tracking" that I plan to do over the next couple of weeks. :)
3. Cut out music, movies and TV. I feel rather embarrassed to admit that the movie/TV thing has gotten a bit out of control. But maybe, by admitting it, I can leave it behind and maybe you can help me to be more honest with that!! :) (And, no, I do not have a TV, but the internet is an "amazing" tool!) I just think that there are too many "things" around me that hinder my quiet time and I am going to cut those things off completely. I want to be deeper in my spiritual service and these pieces are hindering me, sadly enough. Occasional exceptions to the music portion...instrumental music. And, of course, hymns are allowed at any time.
4. Read all of the books that currently own a place on my bookshelves at home BEFORE I go out and purchase any more or check out any more from the Library. Once I have read all the books I currently own, then I will be free to return to the stores and libraries. No exceptions to this one! I've purchased these books for a reason, so now it's time to READ them!!
So, that's it! Quite a good list to work on, eh? But here are the rules...I am not going to punish myself if I fail. I am going to give it my best and if I stumble a bit, then I'll just try again. Practice makes perfect, right! :) Something that I think will help, too, are little trackers! I've seen other people use them (*ahem*...MelBMarvis) and if they can do it, so can I!!! :) So, you can follow along with little trackers that I'll design and post on the sidebar of this blog.
And, lastly, one other piece that's been very real to me concerning all of this...I don't have to wait until the New Year's to begin working on these resolutions!!!! I can start NOW! And you can start NOW on your resolutions, too! Isn't the whole point of making resolutions is to improve something that we're not satisfied with? Well, why wait, then?! Why not treat ourselves by beginning to take care of things NOW! After all, it will only help us to be better/healthier individuals sooner, right! :)
And that's that! :) I just wanted to share a bit of what was on my mind lately. I've heard murmurings that some people are waiting and waiting and waiting for updates from me and I've failed miserably with that, I know. But, don't we all agree that this is a busy time of year?! Well, I think it is, anyway, but I'll try to be better about posting regularly. :) Here's to successful journeys for all of us with our "NOW" Year's Resolutions!!!!! :o) Oh, and, feel free to share any resolutions that you are thinking of working on in 2009! I'd love to hear! :o)
1. Cook more meals at home.
2. Restrict my eating out at restaurants to 1-2 times per week and that includes weekends. (And, yes, this one is subject to have an additional meal added (Ex. 1-3 times per week), depending on what I discover in my "eating out tracking" that I plan to do over the next couple of weeks. :)
3. Cut out music, movies and TV. I feel rather embarrassed to admit that the movie/TV thing has gotten a bit out of control. But maybe, by admitting it, I can leave it behind and maybe you can help me to be more honest with that!! :) (And, no, I do not have a TV, but the internet is an "amazing" tool!) I just think that there are too many "things" around me that hinder my quiet time and I am going to cut those things off completely. I want to be deeper in my spiritual service and these pieces are hindering me, sadly enough. Occasional exceptions to the music portion...instrumental music. And, of course, hymns are allowed at any time.
4. Read all of the books that currently own a place on my bookshelves at home BEFORE I go out and purchase any more or check out any more from the Library. Once I have read all the books I currently own, then I will be free to return to the stores and libraries. No exceptions to this one! I've purchased these books for a reason, so now it's time to READ them!!
So, that's it! Quite a good list to work on, eh? But here are the rules...I am not going to punish myself if I fail. I am going to give it my best and if I stumble a bit, then I'll just try again. Practice makes perfect, right! :) Something that I think will help, too, are little trackers! I've seen other people use them (*ahem*...MelBMarvis) and if they can do it, so can I!!! :) So, you can follow along with little trackers that I'll design and post on the sidebar of this blog.
And, lastly, one other piece that's been very real to me concerning all of this...I don't have to wait until the New Year's to begin working on these resolutions!!!! I can start NOW! And you can start NOW on your resolutions, too! Isn't the whole point of making resolutions is to improve something that we're not satisfied with? Well, why wait, then?! Why not treat ourselves by beginning to take care of things NOW! After all, it will only help us to be better/healthier individuals sooner, right! :)
And that's that! :) I just wanted to share a bit of what was on my mind lately. I've heard murmurings that some people are waiting and waiting and waiting for updates from me and I've failed miserably with that, I know. But, don't we all agree that this is a busy time of year?! Well, I think it is, anyway, but I'll try to be better about posting regularly. :) Here's to successful journeys for all of us with our "NOW" Year's Resolutions!!!!! :o) Oh, and, feel free to share any resolutions that you are thinking of working on in 2009! I'd love to hear! :o)
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Balance & Simplicity
As I was crawling into bed at 11 p.m. last night, I thought, "I have got to find a balance." That's just how I have felt lately...unbalanced. And for no specific reason, either. Nothing has changed in my routine or workload or homework load, so I have no idea why I feel this way. However, in the last couple of weeks I have also thinking about simplicity and I've been feeling the urge to simplify. I guess that both of those pieces kind of tie together, but I just want to be better at both. I want to clean all of the "extra" stuff out of my house and simplify. I want to make sure that my daily living routine is balanced and as simple as can be. I want my thoughts and my words and my actions to be simple. You see, with the loss of my friend, Michelle, last month, it's just really put into perspective what's important in life. And maybe that's why I've felt unbalanced...because the things that are truly important have been kind of clouded and covered because of all of the other everyday activities that are going on. Just having that thought makes me feel sad. I don't want my life to be that way. I don't want to be that way. I want to daily think about the things that are truly important and to realize how privileged I am! And I want to be more grateful for my place. It's nothing spectacular or grand, but it's where I'm meant to be and I want to appreciate that more. I hope for this for all of you, too!! :)
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Beautiful Advice
A couple of weeks ago, a friend of mine sent me an e-mil that was titled, "Beautiful Advice." I have read the thoughts over and over since then and I still feel moved by them. I want to keep working on them. I hope that you enjoy them as much as I have!!
Beautiful Advice
An Angel says, 'Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice.'
1. Pray
2. Go to bed on time.
3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.
5. Delegate tasks to capable others.
6. Simplify and unclutter your life.
7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.
9. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.
10. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
11. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
12. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.
13. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.
14. Get enough rest
15. Eat right.
16. Get organized so everything has its place.
17. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.
18. Write down thoughts and inspirations.
19. Every day, find time to be alone.
20. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.
21. Make friends with Godly people.
22. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.
23. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good 'Thank you Jesus.'
24. Laugh.
25. Laugh some more!
26. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.
27. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).
28. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).
29. Sit on your ego
30. Talk less; listen more.
31. Slow down.
32. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.
33. Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before.
'If God is for us, who can be against us?' (Romans 8:31)
Beautiful Advice
An Angel says, 'Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice.'
1. Pray
2. Go to bed on time.
3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.
5. Delegate tasks to capable others.
6. Simplify and unclutter your life.
7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.
9. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.
10. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
11. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
12. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.
13. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.
14. Get enough rest
15. Eat right.
16. Get organized so everything has its place.
17. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.
18. Write down thoughts and inspirations.
19. Every day, find time to be alone.
20. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.
21. Make friends with Godly people.
22. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.
23. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good 'Thank you Jesus.'
24. Laugh.
25. Laugh some more!
26. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.
27. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).
28. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).
29. Sit on your ego
30. Talk less; listen more.
31. Slow down.
32. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.
33. Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before.
'If God is for us, who can be against us?' (Romans 8:31)
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Evolution of Dance
Neisha kindly pointed this one out today. It made me laugh! Does it bring back memories, or what!? :) However, I did find myself thinking, "Is that how I really looked?" *laugh*
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Plugging Along
Hello there! Do you think that I've forgotten about this blog that I have? I haven't!!! :) I just have loved the quote that was in the post before this one, so I've really enjoyed just stopping by and re-reading the quote and I haven't felt an urgent need to update. The quote is a good one, that's for sure! One I hope that I don't soon forget!
Speaking of quotes, I've enjoyed this one that Leilani posted on her blog recently. It says, "When we find it hard to leave the place of prayer is when we know we've found the presence of God." Isn't that just a wonderful quote? I have just SO appreciated thinking on that since Leilani posted it. I really hope to know this more and more as life goes on.
Things with me have been going good. Nothing extra special has been happening, just life. I am taking two classes at UW this semester, so I stay rather busy throughout the week. My weekends have been spent just relaxing and catching up on everything. I tell you, I have really come to love being home on the weekends with no plans. It's wonderful!! Of course, if things come up, I do enjoy that, too, but there is nothing quite like being home. :)
I had some friends over for supper this week and that was enjoyable. It was the first time that I had company for supper in a little over a year (don't judge me! ;), so they felt quite special. :) *laugh* I'm not one who loves to cook and bake and such, so I don't often have people over. Maybe when I get a bigger apartment on the ground floor next summer, that will change a little. We'll see!
The UW basketball season has started up again, so I'm looking forward to attending a few games. I have season tickets to the women's basketball games and I occasionally attend one of the men's games. I quite enjoy the women's games. If you've never gone to one before, you should! They're just as exciting and fun!! :)
Thanksgiving is coming up, so I'm looking forward to a couple extra days off of work. I plan to have all of my house cleaning and homework done by that point so that I can laze around and read books!! Yay! :)
I'll let this be all for now. I just thought that I'd update my blog so that you know that I'm alive and doing well. Take care until next time!
Speaking of quotes, I've enjoyed this one that Leilani posted on her blog recently. It says, "When we find it hard to leave the place of prayer is when we know we've found the presence of God." Isn't that just a wonderful quote? I have just SO appreciated thinking on that since Leilani posted it. I really hope to know this more and more as life goes on.
Things with me have been going good. Nothing extra special has been happening, just life. I am taking two classes at UW this semester, so I stay rather busy throughout the week. My weekends have been spent just relaxing and catching up on everything. I tell you, I have really come to love being home on the weekends with no plans. It's wonderful!! Of course, if things come up, I do enjoy that, too, but there is nothing quite like being home. :)
I had some friends over for supper this week and that was enjoyable. It was the first time that I had company for supper in a little over a year (don't judge me! ;), so they felt quite special. :) *laugh* I'm not one who loves to cook and bake and such, so I don't often have people over. Maybe when I get a bigger apartment on the ground floor next summer, that will change a little. We'll see!
The UW basketball season has started up again, so I'm looking forward to attending a few games. I have season tickets to the women's basketball games and I occasionally attend one of the men's games. I quite enjoy the women's games. If you've never gone to one before, you should! They're just as exciting and fun!! :)
Thanksgiving is coming up, so I'm looking forward to a couple extra days off of work. I plan to have all of my house cleaning and homework done by that point so that I can laze around and read books!! Yay! :)
I'll let this be all for now. I just thought that I'd update my blog so that you know that I'm alive and doing well. Take care until next time!
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