Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. ~Marcel Proust

I had the great joy today of running into an old friend. It is funny, I tend to see him in random places and everytime, we promise to keep in touch. We don't, though. I can't help but wonder...is there a reason we keep running into each other? Is there some stronger reason we end up at the same place at the same time? I was friends with him when I was in high school. He is going through a major transition in his life now and I got to thinking... how often do we stop to recognize who we have become by the people we know? I mean, many of us appreciate our loved ones through words and acts of kindness. But, do we ever really think about who we have become because of them?
As a high school girl, I was insecure and always looking for approval from people my age. Inevitably, this got me mixed up with some not so great people. But, these days I can see more value in the lessons I learned from the ones who always stood by me. The ones who constantly praised me in who I was and laughed with me in every silly moment. The ones who encouraged me to play basketball despite my lack of skill. The ones who listened to my every nasty word about myself or someone else who happened to annoy me in a moment.
I have lost my train of thought....but essentially...I am lucky to have so many people in my life that have taught me how to live myself by the love they have always given me. Thank you xoxox

Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass... It's about learning how to dance in the rain." -Vivian Greene

Here is the thing about life...
It is never easy. I was present when one of my coworkers had a long detailed conversation with a student about the challenges in life. And it made me realize something, we all have them. I would bet any one of you out there can spend hours talking about the stresses of your day to day activities. Or the fears you have for the future of your family. We carry them with us, each differently, but all heavily. It seems as if right when life gets carefree, you get hit with something else that challenges you. I have made a decision to take hold of all that challenges me or overwhelms me. I am not saying this is happening overnight or with ease, but I want to learn how to dance in the rain. Not so much a new beginning as me taking charge. Because, ultimately, the only way you can be happy in life is if you choose to put all your energy into the joyful things. Everything else will figure itself out. So for now, I will dance. <3

Just a quick note for now....

Change can sometimes be a very rude and harsh slap in the face. But I have learned that with change, comes growth. Whether it be from the inevitable need to embrace the truth or because one character is proven when challenged. But, change... it can really, really treat some people very well.

Inside my empty bottle I was constructing a lighthouse while all the others were making ships. ~Charles Simic

Clarity. Such a funny word. To me, it means gaining perspective and yet, once gained it is only then that I realize I didn't have any. I sat around this weekend in complete laziness and frustration over, really...nothing. After my post yesterday, I looked up some videos and pictures of Japan. Heartwrenching. I don't know how to put into words. I, along with many of you, watched with disgust, shock and awe. It is almost like watching a movie. Can this powerful current of water cause so much damage? Water...symbol of destruction and redemption. So strange. I thought a lot about the effects of this happening. Wherever you are in your faith, try to understand my thoughts...
God is begging us to pay attention. I don't think the Japanese are being punished for anything. But as I looked at these pictures, all I saw was the many tears He has shed for our stupidity, ignorance and selfishness. Really. I can't help but take this as a warning. Maybe people are using this, yet again, to discuss the end of the world. I have no interest in that conversation. (Not a good conversation to be intolerant of when I have very emotional teens who always want to discuss it!) Lent...a time to prepare within ourselves a place of God. A place that can be worthy of the Ultimate Sacrifice. Is that not what I am hearing in this warning? While FB may be one thing I have chosen to give up, it is important what I choose to fill that room.
I know this thinking may be a bit extreme for some of you. And, trust me, I understand. haha. But, as people, we must pray. At the very least so that in the depths of their sadness, frustration and fear, they know we care. So that among the many ships that are being ruined, they can follow the lighthouses to offer hope.

Therefore we do not lose heart.
Though outwardly we are wasting away,
yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
For our light and momentary troubles
are achieving for us an eternal glory
that far outweighs them all.
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen,
but on what is unseen.
For what is seen is temporary,
but what is unseen is eternal.
-- 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Weekends don't count unless you spend them doing something completely pointless. ~Bill Watterson

I am hitting a road block today. You see, I have all these things I need to accomplish...grading, folding laundry, finishing laundry, working out, preparing dinner, grocery store, putting clothes away, preparing lesson plans, etc. But, all I really want (and all I am currently doing) is sitting on the sofa. I kinda like it this way. I wonder to myself..is it procrastination or really just a sense of me needing a break? Maybe a bit of both. But, how do I get out of this stagnance? Do I allow myself to just sit and do nothing....after all, it is Sunday and I will need to work tomorrow. Or, do I get many things accomplished and walk into the week feeling like I am ahead of the game since I had no relaxation before the week began. Aaaah, the love/hate relationship I have with Sundays. A day of rest. Or a day or waste. Who knows. Here is what I do know...some wonderful friends are moving into a new house while managing to control 3 kids, 2 jobs and an evening job. So, we are bringing them dinner. I said pizza but my ww guilt is already kicking in. I may have to reconsider that. I want to lose 2 lbs this week. 1.2 gets me to my 30 lbs lost. I don't want to be lazy with that goal. Stream of conscience...this post is pointless. haha Another means of delaying the list of to do's. I think I like blogger...it's all the waste in my mind that I can pour out of my mind and anyone or no one can listen.

No man needs a vacation so much as the person who has just had one. ~Elbert Hubbard

Heading back to WW tomorrow morning after my excellent vacation. I had a bit of a two week struggle to stay on plan. After my great 30th birthday celebration, I was up 2 lbs. This made it a little easier to focus myself in Florida. I ran two miles three out of the four days I was there. And, I can only pinpoint one full day that was off plan. Other than that, I blame it on the alcohol haha. I am eager to go in to my meeting tomorrow and regain some motivation.
This weekend is full of no plans! I am so happy about that. I will be cooking dinner for one of the best, and well deserving, mothers I know tomorrow. That is the extent of our plans. And, much to my embarrassment, I need to still write out our thank you cards. (sigh) This week has been long, although short. I am looking through our Florida pics and thought I should share some with you so that you understand my post vacation depression.

Some of the Dolphins putting on a show during the Wedding Rehearsal...


Rehearsal Dinner at the Hawks Cay Marina...


Posing on the Historic 7 Mile Bridge...7 Miles of one lane over water!


Posing (so cute!) by the 7 Mile Bridge...



Happy Weekend Friends! <3

~ A blog is in many ways a continuing conversation ~

Many of you know I gave up Facebook for Lent. I am hoping this here will continue our fb coversations and can help me air out a bit more of my thought processes. I love to blog but I am sooo inconsistent with it. I can't make any promises. I am happy I am turning back to this and definitely don't regret the decision to sacrifice facebook. I never felt like I needed it but I know that I use it far more as a waste of time than as a helpful resource to keep in touch with people. So, day one of facebook free and going strong haha! Interested in seeing how many of you will come across this. Drop me a message just so I know you are still there....