Happy Monday!

Monday is winding down and I am pretty tired. My friend Jennifer used to engage in this blog called A Thing A Day, which is a crafty thing and I want to get involved in something similar minus the crafts. So my 'thing a day' for today was to take a sculpting class. Each day I want to do something different. It can be as easy as listening to new music, say hi to someone I have never met, wear perfume to the gym....whatever would be different than what I normally do. Changes are good. And they create the person we want to evolve into. We have to explore the unknown and take chances.

The sculpt class was tough. It is a lot of slow movements with weights using your core to center and balance yourself. The instructor KC said I did really well for my first time. All I could say was, "My a$$ cheeks are BURNING!" LOL! It gave her a good laugh. I will continue to take this class on Monday afternoons knowing my goal is a bikini for this summer. ( :

I also said hi to someone today that is always at the gym. They never seem to make eye contact with me. Today, I was not going allow them to pass by without a hello. When people see me I want them to know that I am not shy, in no way snobby, and I am people person who cares deeply for others. I love life and really want to share my happiness with the world.

The next "new" thing I did today was look up Life Coaching. Never did I think it was a career. If it is written in the stars I am hoping to check out online schooling to get a certificate in life coaching. I would love to spread the positivity to the world.

Although life has thrown me some major curve balls and I have allowed my son to take control....today I have decided to take my life back. I made a decision this morning after a long prayer that I was not going to allow his stress to consume me any longer. You know what happened? He went into school by himself without any problems. Today, he played outside, voluntarily cleaned out the rabbit cage, and is now back to playing video games with Jeremy. It has been about two months since he has done much of anything. Now whether or not he stays this way, we shall see. All I know is that this is my life and no matter what goes on around me, no matter who is miserable, I have to do whatever it takes to be happy. My children will bask in my happiness and it will just spread like wild fire.

My advice to anyone who feels stuck in their current situation....you can change it. But you have to start with YOU. I cannot change my son or the people around me but I can change how I deal with them. Try new things, step out of your box (even if it makes your butt hurt). Put on some happy music to drown out the sorrows. You only have one chance at life. Live it. Oh, and before I forget, stop trying to live everyone elses for them, be non-judgmental, and concentrate on you. We do not know the chosen paths for others.....we do not have to agree with their choices but we do have to let them be.

What I am thankful for today:
my friends
sculpt class
positivity
happy music
my kids
my quote today: "If your heart is full of love, you will always have something to give."
Shawn
my kitties
The Center
my family
going from 6 to 31 followers on the HIS blog
time to mow the grass today
painted toes
Jamie and the baby!!
my future
Life Coaching
games
wine
time with friends and family
a full 5-midnight crop for the 4th time in a row!! WHOO HOO!
happiness
Erika's daily check in with me
Jennifer G
Christine
a clean rabbit cage... and trimmed nails
Jeremy
Heather R and Heather P
scrapbooking
the gym
the sunshine
flowers
time to blog
Makenna's hugs and I love you's
Cheryl
Nicole
Pappy
graditude
inspiration
rainbows
life

Mother's Day

Today started with me being able to sleep in. I guess 8am is sleeping in, right? LOL! Makenna did wake me up at 6:45 but I managed to get her to allow me to sleep longer. Jeremy and Makenna took me to Puffins Cafe' for breakfast and we ate really well. Next stop was Neighbors so that I could pick out flowers for the yard and Makenna could pick out flowers for Nannie and Grammy. The choice of flowers were Poppies. My mom and Linda loved them. For myself, I chose petunias, snap dragons, ivy, and impatience. While I was working in the gardens and cleaning the house Jeremy made a huge dinner. We had corn on the cob, potatoes, pork tenderloin and salad. Everything (besides the salad) was cooked on the grill. It was all sooooo yummy!

My mom and Linda loved their gifts. My mom actually cried. I am so glad the albums came out so nice. They raved about the cards too. Makenna was all about taking pictures today. So here is what we have...

My evening was not so great but I am trying very hard to focus on the great day I had. I love spending time with my mom and Linda. I am so grateful that they are so appreciative of all we did for them. I am so thankful that Jeremy is so giving and teaching Makenna to be the same way. He really made my day special.

What I am thankful for today:
time with my family
my friends
Jeremy
breakfast this morning
my kids
all my new flowers
my neighbors
time to work in the garden today
a clean house
submissions for the HIS blog already
an awesome dinner tonight and I didn't have to cook it!
money
candles
cards
my cardinal figurines for the garden
working out tomorrow
being a size 8 on the way to a 6!!
the beautiful day today
Makenna's smiles and hugs
my mom and her concern for me
time
wine
my pets
The Center
laughter
love
Shawn

Creativity and a Great Few Days

Today was a little unexpected. Makenna and Gavin had to come to work with me which can put a little tension in my happy place. However, both of them were very well behaved and actually quite the crafters. After getting my newsletter out, I spent some time finishing my Mother's Day gifts with matching cards. I was also able to create a layout for my sister-in-laws Scrap That Poetry challenge blog. I love it!

Shawn surprised me at work today with a large coffee and big hug. I really miss spending time with him. Because we never see each other during the day he was so expressive with compliments. Of course when he does see me it is without makeup, in baggy clothes, late at night I look ready for bed. He loves me that way but he also like to express how nice it is to see me in the sunlight.

Last night was Zumba Happy Hour. It was one of the most exciting times I have had exercising.....EVER! Jennifer G and I drank some Mike's hard lemonade and some Sangria made by the instructor Ginny. It was YUMMY! After a good buzz Zumba started. There was about 15-20 of us. Jennifer broke out in the Running Man and I almost peed. It was so fun. I definitely want to do that again. I ended the evening with a glass of wine since Jennifer was the driver. So yummy.

To sum it up, life has been really good lately. Gavin has even stopped throwing a fit before school. I have learned that as long as I support him and try my hardest to stay positive when he is not, things do get better sooner. We had 2 new customers in the store last week and 3 today. I feel physically better and seem to be eating better too. Stress really does take a toll on you. However, we are the ones who choose to walk around with a grumpy face or smile through it. My smile may not have been as bright the past month and people have noticed. There are a lot gym members who have asked me if I am ok out of concern. I love that so many people are there for me if I choose to 'need' them. They all said that they miss the sunshine...but little by little I am coming back. They said they can see my pain in my eyes....although I keep smiling.

Makenna, my little sunshine has helped me so much. In the car after a sad morning with her brother, she says, "Mommy, can we listen to our happy song....you know, the one that makes us feel better?" When I would be having a bad morning, I would put on a happy upbeat song to change our moods. Right now it is Love Song by Sarah Bareillis. But, she calls it "Head under water." LOL! You really can change your mood and sometimes all it takes is a little music.

What I am happy for today:
my sunshine Makenna
music
new customers
love
Shawn
coffee
hugs
Butter Almond ice cream
scrapbooking
challenges
laughter
fun
Chinese food tonight!!
breakfast out tomorrow
Mother's Day
having our moms over for dinner tomorrow
compliments
my friends
Zumba....so much fun!
Gavin
my store
smiles
surprises
positive people
full crops
creativity
inspiration
chocolate
money
blue skies and sunshine
time with Erika
time with Jennifer G
Jamie
my life

A Great Girls Night

SO, the girls night out was a huge success. I laughed so hard my stomach hurts today. Hmm, maybe I will not have to work on my abs this morning? LOL! Jennifer, Jamie and I started out at Starter's at Riverpoint. It is a very cool place. The food was amazing. Wendy and Christine from The Center had a booth set up and were getting huge donations. Last night, if you showed the waitress a voucher for The Center, 10% of your bill went to The Center.

After Starter's we headed to The Melting Pot. OMG it was amazing. We dipped bananas, rice krispy treats, strawberries, pound cake, marshmellows, cheese cake and more. Our waiter was awesome. And, the manager is going to supply us with a gift certificate for our next Crafting for Paws.

It was a night that I really needed. I only had one drink, it was a Mojito. Very yummy! With the stress in my life, I am finding it difficult to stay positive. But I do know that if you surround yourself by positive people, it really helps. Hopefully next time, more people can make it out with us. I am just really glad that two of my best friends were able to go out with me. Thank you ladies. I love ya!

Oh, and thank you Heather for the wine tasting the other day. It is definitely something I want to do again.

What I am thankful for today:
my friends
time with them
my kids
Diane for watching Makenna
chocolate
the sunshine
my mom
energy
sleep
craftiness
flowers
positive thoughts and people
life changes
the soup kitchen this weekend with the youth group
Mothers Day
clothes
money
my jeep
Shawn
my grandfather and Aunt
my pets
Biggest Loser
my store
laughter
love
peace