With the Angels

My great-grandma is now with the angels above. And as she is laid to rest today, I feel the need to share this story. I've only shared it with one other person so far.

Driving to church this past Sunday morning, we drove by a sign on the side of the highway that read Jesus is coming soon. I didn't want to jinx mine or my guy's flight home that day, so I said nothing about it. It really did pull at my heart once I found out my great grandmother has passed. Jesus really did come soon-less than an hour later to be exact. I am blessed to have seen her over Christmas break, gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek, and told her I loved her.

There are so many meaningful moments in our everyday life. There are so many precious people on our lives, as well, that we may take for granted, or not realize how important we are to them or how important they are to us. Always strive to be the BEST you, and you will shine.

Rest with the angels Momma-Neen. You are dearly loved and missed.

Reflecting Mood

Can't believe January is almost over. It has flown by. I just got back from two weekends of adventures. One weekend skiing, and the other weekend visiting fam. What a great few days off with friends and family. I don't feel any different, having had focused on myself this month. I do see change, though. Looking back a year ago, I am a totally different person. I'm more content and confident. I worry less about what others think and more about what I think. One quote really stuck out to me tonight. I'm sure you've read it before, but I really needed it.

"It happens to everyone as they grow up. You find out who you are and what you want, and then you realize that the people you've known forever don't see things the way you do. So you keep the wonderful memories, but find yourself moving on."

This has rung true in my life throughout the last few months, and it really has changed me. Not in a bad way, though. In a positive, growing up kind of way. I'm happy to be where I am, to come from what I've come from, and to have the people I have in my life now: those who love and care for me genuinely, who accept me as I am and build me up, who have made such an impact in my life that I can't live without them, who always encourage and never discourage, who are honest, loyal, and trustworthy. If you are someone in my life today, thank you for everything you are. 

My great grandmother passed this morning. Heaven was callin' her name and off she went. She was a strong woman. Her heart was stronger than any doctor would have guessed. She always had a story to share, and let me tell you, she spoke her mind. I hope to be at least half the woman she was. I am proud to be her great granddaughter, and I hope I make her proud one day. My family has many angels up there watching over us, and now we have one more. 

Needless to say, cherish EVERY moment. You never know when it could be your time-or someone you love. 

Definitely in a reflecting mood tonight, and that's exactly what I'm going to do. Have a great week folks! And hold those close to you a little tighter than before. 

More Love, Less Hate

Watching MSNBC's coverage of the Newtown shooting saddens me into an emotional place only I can reach deep within myself. So much is on my mind. From seeing my kiddies this week and appreciating the time I get with them much more than before after last week's elementary school shooting to how frustrated I can become with certain situations in my life to where did the weekend go and why couldn't the Bears take away a win from the Packers. I'm angry that the Bears didn't win today, and I'm angry that people who ask for help and need help, don't do anything to help themselves. I see, too often, others make decisions in life that I will never understand. And why should I even worry about it? It's not my life, not my choices, and not my consequences. I guess I just don't understand why anyone asks for help with no intention to help themselves. If you need advice or want help with a situation, another person can only do so much. A large part of help and change comes from within yourself. YOU have to want to change and grow and help yourself. Then, my mind moves on to the shooter of the terrible tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut. There are so many articles and news-casters discussing the real problem with Adam Lanza: Did he have a mental illness? Was he just crazy? Was he planning this alone? No one really knows. Either way, his actions were gruesome, heartbreaking, and just terrible. And only time will tell, if anything, what caused him to create such a tragedy. After that, my mind moves back to the loved ones in my life whom I just don't understand. I may not understand, and I may not be as patient as I used to be, but I need to love more and hate less. No matter what the situation, though I wish some would help themselves more, I do still love these people, and there is a special place in my heart for each and every person in my life. Instead of hating circumstances, hating situations, and hating other's actions, I need to focus on my own. I need to embrace the precious moments I get when a friend calls for help or another friend seeks advice. After all, we are all on this Earth together, sharing breaths and memories that will write our story. So tonight, as we listen to the President address Newtown, and we hold our loved ones a little closer, remember this week to have more love in your life and less hate.

Whatever you are going through tonight..."Only love can dig you out of this." -The Lumineers Slow It Down

"Your Place"

Something I'm starting this week: Make "your place" yours. I have an empty bulletin board that I put up last week in my room. First, I hung my goals up, leaving the rest of the bulletin board empty. And this week, I'm going to try and challenge myself to start collecting magazine cutouts or pictures that I want to save or keep as a reminder to post on my empty board. I love Women's Health magazine and Fitness magazine. So, I am going to go through those magazines during my free time and cut out a few things I want to remember or little workouts I want to keep. I used to carry around my magazines to remember to try the monthly workouts they have. This week, I'm just going to try and post whatever I want on "my place" in my room. My bulletin board is "my place" to put whatever I want on it. Not that I couldn't do this anywhere else in my apartment, but I think this space should be reserved as "my place" to express myself, keep my goals posted, and post whatever I want to keep as a reminder or to save. (Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project, did something like this-hence the idea.) This is very similar to a Microsoft Word document that I would save on my computer with different quotes posted during my teenage years.
What is "your place" in your home? Find "your place", and remember to be creative!

Be Creative

Be creative. Yes, even in our 20s, it's OK to be creative and feel like a kid, again. This weekend, I turned an old wine bottle into a fun, decor item that could work in any room. And this is all I had to do: clean out the bottle, peel off any sticky stuff on the bottle, cut different color ribbons of all lengths, and put the strands inside the bottle. Fun and easy. And what else did I do during a few free hours this weekend? Played some old school Sonic the Hedgehog on xbox, a game I used to play as a kid (obviously on an old play station back then). Random, creative, and fun. I encourage you to think creative next time you have a few free hours. Try something you haven't done in years. Maybe take a trip to the zoo or color in a random ol' coloring book. Keep that young spirit around!

It's YOUR List

I haven't abandoned you blog world! Although, I did take the weekend away from my computer. Until tonight!

I think it is so important to take time away from your daily grind sometimes. I have found that my workweek becomes so predictable and routine-like that some days I just need a new flow. And this weekend, I had planned to blog, but ended up not finding the right time. I spent time with loved ones, saw "Playing for Keeps", got some Christmas shopping done, and watched football. I'd say it was a pretty good, relaxing weekend. I have every intention to blog everyday. But I've learned it's OK to get off track sometimes. It's OK for what you planned to change. It's OK to spend time with loved ones and enjoy it, without getting tied up in what you didn't get done today. That's all a part of living in the now, something I struggle with everyday. 

Go ahead and write down your goals for the week! And don't forget to hang up your goals somewhere you will see them everyday! The goals that I didn't accomplish last week are going back on the list, because they are goals I want to tackle. Remember your goals can be anything you want to accomplish from eating celery everyday to limiting your Facebook time to making a grocery store stop-it's YOUR list of what YOU want to do with your week. Your list is unique and only YOURS!

Always use your network!

No, blogger world, I have not abandoned you. And I don't plan on it! It's that time of the week again. Sunday funday-the day of rest and the day of anticipating or dreading the upcoming week. Time to snap out of it! Take a minute, grab a marker and a piece of paper, write down your goals, and put that paper somewhere you will see it everyday. First, writing down your goals for the week will provide validation. Second, putting your goals somewhere you will see them, will be a reminder to you everyday. And last, you will be working towards your goals all week, which will create that motivation factor you've been waiting for.

I hope you have had a wonderful weekend with family and friends. I can honestly say, I had a great weekend. I learned a little and lived a little. I caught up with a few old friends, spent time with my man, had a nice night out on the town, and of course, watched football. My favorite college team is going to the BCS championship, and my Bears, well they had a rough day. However, playoffs are right around the corner. There's still hope!

I may say this a lot in my blog posts, but I promise it works. Try something new as much as possible. Even if you hate it after, trying new things creates experience. Tomorrow, I'm going with the roommate to a yoga sculpt class: something I have never done before and something totally new. Roommate bonding time!

Here's a tip: always use your network! What do I mean by network? I mean your network of family and friends. I just so happen to know the teacher that will be instructing the yoga class tomorrow. When you need to buy a car? Make sure you ask family and friends. They may be able to help you with a good deal or know someone who can. This weekend, I had to buy a new car, and because I knew someone who knew someone, I got a pretty good deal. When you need a new doctor, it wouldn't hurt to ask for a reference. Need to plan a party? Ask your bartender friends to set one up at their restaurant. I, recently, decided to look into healthy eating plans. I have a friend who sells meal replacement smoothies. Perfect! You never know who your friends and family know, and you never know exactly how much they can help you unless you ask. Make sure to use your network of family and friends! Not only will you find what you need, they will appreciate you asking, and you will feel an immediate connection. Not only did they help you, you supported what they do.

Get a good night's rest before your Monday! Monday sets the tone for the whole week, so "make it a great day or not, the choice is yours."-As said via intercom every morning in high school.