Life Is Good

Today I woke up with sore throat, chills, tired ache feeling, and later... fever. I felt awful. I slept most of the day. My husband went out bought me some chicken soup, cough drops and thera flu. He went out to the store 2x for me. Then later tonight As I began to feel better, one more trip to subway for a sandwich I was craving. He also rented the soloist and a period movie, which I love. We stayed home all day and rested. It felt so good. Tonight as we were watching our movie all snuggly, it dawned on me... This was a Cherished Moment. I felt utter contentment and was so appreciative for my husband, my home & my life. A cherished moment does not always have to be grand, its that feeling you get when peace and contentment hit your soul and you think... Life is good. Thank God today for the simple things. Find content & cherish moments. Life Is Good.

For the love of Life

While roaming thru Central Market yesterday we came across the bakery. All the decadent sweets beckoning us. Tantalizing our sight and tempting our taste buds. My friend answered the call with excitement and said, "For the Love of Life, I gotta get these cookies!"

For the Love of life. I love that saying. Why not enjoy cookies? Small simple things bring delight to life. So why not enjoy. Diets will always have a place in this world. So eat in moderation. Go to the gym, walk your dog, do some sit-ups. But for heaven's sake, don't deprive thyself of such sweet indulgence's. Enjoy your life. "For The Love Of Life... Eat dessert!"

Angels

Each time I've moved into a new home, before anything is moved in, I sit in the middle of the home and pray. I pray God bless my home and all who enter. I pray peace love and joy inside these walls. I then ask God, to Fill my home with his angels and protect me and my family.

One year after we lived in our present home, We threw a baby shower for one of my husbands coworker's wife, who was having a baby. Guest's came in, filling our home with happiness and joy. One of my husbands coworkers brought his wife also. She was blind. As she slowly entered our home, her husband helped her up the stairs. She stopped and smiled, looking up. She said "Can you see them?" What? he replied. "It's angels... they are all around."

Have no fear. God will send his angels to protect you wherever you go.

Psalm 91:11 For he will command his angels to guard you in all your ways.

Show God's love

My church does this really cool thing every few month's called "The church has left the building." Instead of meeting for service sunday morning, they encourage us to go out into the community and show "God's love" to people. We have given out bottled water on a hot day, at a flea market. People were so grateful and curious why we did this. We say to "share Gods Love." Another time we handed out Starbucks $5 gift cards to people entering, during the holidays. and another time we gave out quarters and detergent at a laundry mat. One man said "Are you for real, man?" He couldn't believe it. God is REAL... and so is his Love. Might we be that person, to show Gods love today? Everybody needs to know Gods love. Who is that one person in your path? Is it a complaining coworker, a struggling friend, a angry neighbor, or a grumpy stranger? Show God's Love this week. Someone out there was placed in your path. Needing some encouragement, some kindness, a touch, a smile, a kind word , a kind gesture. Make that difference... Show God's Love. There is a whole world out there waiting to be touched:)

Count Your Blessings

A heart of gratitude is such a delight. I used to keep a joy journal each year, thanking God for all my blessings. I sometimes take them out and look over them in amazement at how wonderful God is and what a great life I have. We are so blessed and have much to be thankful for. Our cup's overflow with blessing poured upon us. What a joy to go back and recall all the good in life. The good times. The great people God has placed in your life and on your path. The memories, the laughter, the friendships. The cherished moments. Take time today and thank God for all your blessings He lavishes on you daily. Your heart will fill with more gratitude a spill over. Make it a habit. He will delight in your grateful heart and smile... his warmth will fill your soul.

Welcome back

Interruptions. Though not always welcome, they are a part of life. So sorry for the interruption in my blogs being temporarily down. I am up and going again. Finally got my Internet back up and I am so excited to get started again. Happily back in Texas and my home. Thanks for your patience. Please come back to visit.Welcome back.

No Pictures

A picture says a thousand words. This is true. Soooo Sorry no pictures today. Many many issues since Ive been back in Texas. No internet :( So I called At&t they apoligized, set-up date to reconnect. (we have been out of town for 3 months)Called monday they said it would be connected FRIDAY. Called friday, because my dog chewed the wire that connects into jack that connects to computer and find out...nothing was set up.NOW it will be tuesday till I get internet!!! I am going nuts. Went to my parents house to try to post and my Pop is having issues with his internet. GO figure. Now, out of town on my sister-n-Laws computer. But NO PICTURES. I have limited computer skills, and so does everybody else in this house( there are 16 people here!) I dont have my pictures on my computer, nor do I know how to send a picture to this computer from my phone and it wont let me get a picture from the web... So No Pictures. So my quote for today is "Hang in there." The sun will come out tomorrow.

Bursting Anticipation

Look at this tree!!! It is so vibrant. I had to park here as I was leaving the mall to take a picture. It's almost there in the change, see the bottom is still green. All the tree's here are just on the verge of BURSTING into fall's radiant color's, ready to sing their praises in the crisp cool weather. Just the anticipation of it makes me excited.

But, I am equally excited about our trip... back to TEXAS. Tomorrow. Though I will miss the great weather here and the awesome trips we took, I anticipate our glorious home...Texas. I have lived on the East coast, the West coast and the South and as exciting a visit can be at first, Texas will always be my home. We will be traveling till friday. Look forward to sharing new thoughts on Saturday. Have a blessed rest of the week.

Precious Time

Time is a gift. So what are you going to do with it? Will you spend it waiting? wanting?

(whining?) Will you use it wisely or waste it? Will you use it to bless, encourage, grow, learn, love, create, inspire, make a difference? We have but one life and one chance to live it. One. Make the most of every opportunity set before you. Spread Love where ever you go, help others whenever you can, take risks, have fun, love life!

Waste your money and you are only out of money. Waste your time and you've lost part of your life. - Michael Lebeouf

Think Pink

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Support the cause. There are many activities and purchases you can get involved in. From wearing a ribbon to spread the word, to walking to raise money, to purchasing pink items this month. And who doesn't love PINK?? We have all been touched in some way by this disease. A friend, A family member, A coworker. Everybody can do their part and make a difference.

How Wonderful it is that nobody need to wait a single moment before starting to improve the world. - Anne Frank

Wonder and Amazement

Most of us live day in and day out without ever noticing anything out of the ordinary. Caught up in our routine. But a child finds wonder and amazement in simple things everyday. Don't let your days pass by without ever looking up. Extraordinary is all around. Live with a childlike heart and expect to find Wonder and Amazement... Every Single Day. It's there. Grab hold of it.

You don't get to choose how we are going to die. Or when. You only decide how you are going to Live. - Joan Baez

Retreat, Replenish, Revive

I grew up singing Hymns in my church. One song in particular has been meaningful through out my life. "It Is Well With My Soul". I actually Cannot sing it unless I am ok inside, in my soul. I feel sad if my soul is not Ok and Overjoyed when I can sing it. Because there is Nothing,Nothing, Nothing more peaceful than a Soul that is Well! I cannot stress to you the importance of keeping up with cleaning out the yuck in your soul. Life has a way of clouding up our perspective and taking us off our focus. Take time to retreat to that place in your soul and clean it out. Refocus on the important things and sweep out the guck. Replenish with the holy spirit and Revive that heart to bring the Peace of God back into that Soul. There is No better feeling in the world than "Peace in your SOUL."

Perseverance

When things go wrong as they sometimes will,

When the road you're trudging seems all up hill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit,

Rest if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,

As every one of us sometimes learns,

And many a failure turns about

When he might have won had he stuck it out;

Don't give up though the pace seems slow--

You may succeed with another blow,

Success is failure turned inside out--

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,

And you never can tell how close you are,

It may be near when it seems so far;

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--

It's when things seem worst that you must not quit."

-Unknown

Whimsical

She is clothed in strength and dignity; She can laugh at the days to come - Proverbs 31:25. We are all different and beautiful. We have strengths and gifts. Compassion and love. The whimsical part of it is, when we are just ourselves we realize we're all on the same journey.Our imperfections are just as beautiful. Embrace who you are and stop trying to be so perfect. If we can find compassion, love and acceptance for one another, we can find it for ourselves.

The thing that is really hard and really amazing is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself. - Anna Quindlen

NEW YORK

Ahh, New York in the fall. We decide to go to New York just this morning on a whim. Our first stop of course was the statue of liberty. The weather was overcast and cool. perfect autumn day.

Central park against The New York Skyline. It had just stopped raining and was breathtaking.

The rain had stopped and we took a stroll through central park. The sun has arrived :)

On the Ferry coming back from Statue of Liberty. I loved this picture.

On the Ferry to Ellis island with the New York Skyline in the background.

Times Square. The busyness of all the people is so exciting. And the rain with all the umbrella's... it made it that much more delightful. We walked around in the rain. Loved it.

Bethesda Fountain. My absolute favorite thing in New York. It is located in Central Park close to Tavern on the Green. It is so Majestic and refreshing. To me it represents strength and renewal. I could sit and look at this all day.

There is something about a New York taxi. I love them. They scream NY and the honking sounds like humming to me. (probably because I dont live here) I forgot how romantic this city is? I dont live here and I dont want to. (its for the courageous) but you gotta love it. I love New York in the fall. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Who you will become

Who are you going to be? Ponder that question a bit. Who you are today, with all of lifes up's and down's, may be different then who you shall become. Do you seek happiness, pleasure, fame, comfort, joy, bliss? But much deeper down, look inside your soul. Find your voice, your purpose, your mission. Seek for the clarity that gives your heart wings and your sight vision. Who you are inside( your love, your compassion, your integrity) is much more important than what you are or what you do for a living. Stay true to God's calling on your life, and who you will become will follow.

It's never too late to be what you might have been. - George Elliot

Costume idea's

Dont take life so serious. Have Fun! These are last years pictures, just some ideas as you may be getting ready for halloween. With very litle Money you can come up with cute costumes. Oh this is my mom. Isnt she cute?

These are my precious parents ( The best in the WORLD) We went to party city and bought this adorable dog face for my mom. She looked so cute. She wore white shirt and white pants. I cut out a brown tummy and spots out of felt and safety pinned them to her back and legs. Aren't they adorable?

My dads costume was the easiest. He bought his Paris Beret. He wore his silly glasses and painted a mustache. Oh, also had this silly accent he spoke with all night . He is a hoot!

My husband was a London policeman. We purchases his hat, a plastic bat and a plastic badge.He wore black slacks and a black blazer. For my costume we purchased the hat. I wore a black t-shirt, black slacks and boots, tied a red scarf around my neck and wore white gloves. I cut out a white tummy from felt and safty pinned it. Easy Costumes. We attended 3 costume parties last year. Great fun. Anyone have good idea's. I need new ones for my husband and I. please send me your idea's. I'd love to hear them :)

Adversity

A friend once share with me her struggles with growing up with-out a father and the day she felt God speak clearly to her. She was listening to a speaker - David Ring . He is a fantastic speaker and he has cerebral palsy. He has an amazing strength of heart. As he spoke about all the heart wrenching details of his life and spoke of his dad passing at age 11 and then his Momma dying shortly after, he said one sentence that really spoke to her. He said, "I didn't ask God WHY me? but WHAT Can I become BECAUSE this happened to me."

From Great pain..."Great character," "Great strength," "Great purpose,"... can evolve. Who will YOU become because of your adversity?

SING

There is a great music website I go to that I wanted to share. It is Pandora.com Register, its free. Put in any song or artist you like, and it will play music with the same tones that you enjoy in that song and it creates a station for you. You can have several stations you create, and it saves it for you. If you dont like a song push the thumbs down and it will go to nxt song till it finds songs you like. Its way cool. Try it:)

Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. James 5:13

Abundant Life

While falling asleep last night I woke my husband. I told him I believed there was not alot of people who really lived life abundantly, to it's fullest. I told him I felt like I was on the fence looking over and I could see it. I told him I wanted to go over ... and I wanted him to go with me. He said "ok", and gave me a hug, before he fell back asleep. Early this morning I was awoken by a phone call from him, he was already at work. He said," Um remember when you were talking last night? Well I was kinda asleep, but I was thinking about what you said this morning... and well... I want to go too.

God desires us to have abundant life and he provides us with the instructions to do so. So why don't we take hold of it and run? Journey with me. Live your life ABUNDANTLY.

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 live the width of it as well. - Diane Ackerman

Through my eyes

Here is my vendor table at this festival I signed up for this past saturday. There were alot of artsy vendors sharing their craft, along with food vendors and a few bands. Beautiful day!!! Cool and breezy. I had my Bella-boo with me and she brought in people as she had her pink t-shirt and her tu-tu on for the event. I sold ... 1 thing. In the worlds eyes, not the huge success, but for me...It was great... I enjoyed every second. Met lots of other vendors, connecting with people. Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Live on purpose!

Every second is of infinite value. - Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Seasons Change

Today is the first day of Fall. Perfect time for a new direction in your life. A new vision, a new attitude, a fresh start in an uncharted sea. Make that change you need. Be brave and adventurous. Take that risk and plunge into the beauty of the unknown. You will never know unless you start. What have you got to lose? Welcome fall...Welcome Change.

Every day of our Lives we're on the Verge of making those slight changes that would make all the difference - Mignon Mc laughlin

Your Own Extraordinary

Don't get caught up in the hum drum state of routine in your life. Change it up. Create your own Extraordinary into everyday! Dance in the rain, Sing in the shower, Volunteer at a shelter, Throw a party, Eat dessert before dinner, Make a new friend, Meet your neighbor, Live on purpose, Laugh until you cry. Spread joy-Spread love.

If You woke up breathing,CONGRATULATIONS! you have another chance -Andrea Boydston

Flea Market Pretties

Today was a lazy sunday. We went to the flea Market. I LOVE Flea Markets. I have a gift finding the treasure in the midst of junk. I took so many pictures my husband was getting tired of waiting for me. But when I got home I was pleased with the outcome. I am saving some for later. I did buy some things, but wanted to paint some things before I set it up for a photo to show... my small treasure's ;)

The question for each man is not what he would do if he had the means, the time, the influence and education advantages, but what will he do with the things he has. -Hamilton

Create a Blog

Start a Blog. I highly encourage it. It has been an inspiration to me and helped me look at things in life as opposed to it just letting it pass me by. First, target an audience. What do you want to say? Who are you wanting to reach? This will give you direction. Next find a name for your blog and look into headers and backgrounds. Your host has templates ready to set up or you can find free backgrounds and headers /banners online depending on your taste. A camera is great for great photos, but I use my phone camera for most of my photos and it has worked just fine. I recommend a book (I wish I would have read it before I started mine) with lots a great info for starting a blog. Blogging for Bliss. Now find a host. I went with blogger.com The set up was easy to figure out even for the more challenged computer skilled person. Now you're ready. Write, Create,Inspire. Write about things you are passionate about and Enjoy. You wont regret it!

Everyday is a new opportunity to make a new happy ending - author unknown

AMAZING

You've got to see this. It's a video with a short blurb about what it is. I found it on superherodesigns.com (a blog which I was reading tonight.) I tried it on as my post and I did it but it clashed with my music set on my blog. So I took it off. It is a MUST SEE. You wont be disappointed. Simply go to vimeo.com then go to the white box in rt. hand upper corner (search video) write in -birds on the wires- Then click on the pictures with the blackbirds on the wires. Play the video. Way Amazing.

Never stop being amazed.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Today was Bella's birthday. She is four. We went out for lunch at Arby's where Bella devoured an Arby's melt with cheddar. Then off for a long stroll in the park. Followed by a photo shoot (which involved ALOT of snacks). For Dinner she had her Cesar's prime rib with birthday candle's in it. Followed by her favorite chewing bone. Her cake was made for her special day and her birthday hat was a hoot. She made me laugh so hard. She wore it with such grace. Happy Birthday Bella-Boo. We love you!!!

Element Of Surprise

Last week I mentioned to my husband, that I was craving carmel apples and this fall weather made me want to make some. I didnt even think he was listening to me. Today he came in from work. He had something behind his back. He was smiling and said, "I have a surprise for you." I was thrilled. I love surprises. The anticipation fueled my excitement. What could be in the bag?Three carmel apples! What a treat. Just the element of surprise made me happy. I ran outside to take a picture of them( for my blog) before I ate one!

Do the unexpected... Surprise someone Today.

COURAGE

This is Vanessa. She is a daughter, a sister, a niece, an aunt, a granddaughter, a friend and my cousin. I used to babysit her. She was a cute, strong-willed,courageous little girl. There is nothing she would not try. She went to college in New Mexico. Moved to Los Angeles and then to New York City (where she presently resides). All in pursuit of her dreams. The thing I most admire about Vanessa is her courage. She takes risks. Always pushing on to try something new. She is beautiful inside and out and has maintained her wonderful soul.

-I just wanted to spotlight her in my blog.-

Courage doesn't always Roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying "I will try again tomorrow." -Maryanne Radmacher

BLOOM

For a long Time it seemed to me that life was about to begin - Real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way. Something to be got through first, some unfinished business, time to be served, a debt to be paid. Then Life would begin. At last it dawned on me ... these obstacles were my life. - Fr. Alfred Dsousza

Stop waiting to live your life. Bloom in the midst of those obstacles.

True Beauty

While on the tread mill the other day, this pretty thin blond girl got on the treadmill next to me. Immediately, I felt insecure. "But why?" I thought. My value does not come from what I look like, what I do, who I know, what my title is( wife, sister, daughter, friend) what I drive, where I live or what I wear? (or how fast I go on the treadmill) That is Crazy. To value ourselves by these rules society places on us. WE are sooooo much more! Peace came over me, like sweet honey. Joy filled me. My value comes from my Maker. I am created to be a display of God's Splendour! Isaiah 61:31 How sweet is that?! So next time you look in that mirror or get tempted to measure yourself by a magazine cover, or compare yourself to another, remember this: YOU are a rare beauty. No other person on this earth is exactly like you. Embrace your uniqueness, and all your imperfections. Accept yourself and be who you were created to be. You are a child of God. You are beautiful!

Philadelphia

We went to Philly this afternoon. We are just 5 minutes away. We strolled around in the Reading Terminal Market. (perfect day for it. It was cold and rainy today.)

An Amish Market. This sweet man gave us permission to take a picture. We talked with him for a while. He has a brother-in-law in Houston! (Ya Texas) We bought some shelled roasted peanuts from him. He was so gentle, kind and humble. what a blessing.

I tried to capture the essence of this place. it is very metropolitan, big city-like feel.