I have great people in my life

Today was a bittersweet day.  My boss made the announcement to my team that I was leaving to seek other opportunities and while I'm so excited about this change that is so needed and is something that God has given me, it's also a sad time to say good bye to my team and the people that I have had the opportunity to work with for the last three years.  It wasn't the stress free day that I would have liked to have had, and I have to say I was pretty surprised at how emotional I became today, but all in all I'm happy that the news is finally able to be out there and finally I'm able to start looking toward my new future and all the doors that I'm going to be able to walk through on this new journey.  I think it was a chance to give me the opportunity to reflect on all that I've accomplished over the last three years, the people who have made an imprint on my life (and who I hope I have made an imprint on theirs) and the changes that I have made as a person that has helped me to grow, and develop.  I'm a better person for meeting the people that I've worked with over the last three years. I'm honored to work with them and honored to be their manager.  I wish them only the best for their future!  I know they will have their challenges and as much as I would like to shield them from the struggles, I can only hope that they will be able to rise above and continue succeeding like they have for the last few years.

Smile:  What have I smiled about lately?
I smile (through some tears) that I have an opportunity to do something different with my life and am so excited about what the next chapter will bring.  While one is closing...another adventure awaits and I'm very thrilled as to what that is going to bring me!

Celebrate:  What do I celebrate?
I celebrate the fact that I've gotten through a very stressful year.  Only 25 more days to end this year and I can't say that I'm sad to see it go.  While it's been a good year in many ways and as I look back over this blog, I can see all the things that I've smiled, celebrated and loved (big and small), I'm happy to see the stress go away.  I think my heart and muscles will be happy to see it go too so I can get a little healthier again!

Love:  What do I love?
I love Christmas lights on my street.  I love coming home to a street all lit up with all sorts of colors.  Makes all the cares go away just pulling onto my street!

Thought for the day:

Very True!  Simple message:  Be Kind.

You have arrived...

This week, I was in a rental car that had GPS Navigation.  We used it to find a mall and upon arrival, the sweet lady said "You have arrived."  I chucked quietly to myself thinking about what a great message that was to hear.  "YOU HAVE ARRIVED."  We search and search though life only to hear those three words only to find that all that searching is really for naught...it's right in front of you all along, you just need the GPS lady to tell you.  I think I needed to hear that at that moment.  I've been feeling a bit like I'm chasing my tail and wondering what my purpose in life is.  Hearing those three words, kinda made me snap out of my head and give myself a chance to think about all that I've achieved, all the success that I've earned and reflect on the person I've become.  I have arrived.  Sometimes messages come to us in various ways...on Tuesday night, my message of affirmation and reminder came from the Hertz GPS lady telling me I was at the mall.

Smile:  What have I smiled about lately?
Last night I had a lovely evening with a co-worker who took me to a Mexican Restaurant in Laurel, MD, which I have to say, was quite good.  Flavors were good...would venture to say that I had a hard time reminding myself that I was not in Texas any more!  Dinner talk consisted of discussion on how we can find our passion for life, Pinterest finds, and of course...work. She shared with me a creative concept of 3 words..look for and write down three words that speak to you...like "Smile, Celebrate, Love" or "You have arrived" and how you can use these words to help start a journal, a picture, a poem, etc.  Cool concept....love the idea and will start opening my eyes to all the messages that come my way.

Celebrate:  What do I celebrate?

I celebrate the Veterans!  I honor and respect them and the courage they had to keep this wonderful country I live in safe and secure.  I appreciate those that gave their life so that we could be safe and free.  I can't imagine doing something so selfless to serve this country and all it's causes.  I'm quite humbled that there are people who would truly give their lives for us.  So, while I do have the day off tomorrow in celebration, I am taking a few moments to reflect on the reason for the holiday and say thank you to all that have given so much for all us!

Love:  What do I love?
I love massages!  I traveled home tonight and made an appointment to get a massage shortly after I got home.  The poor therapist didn't know what she was getting into when she got me this evening.  I've had a knot in my shoulder for about a month that won't go away, so while I wasn't expecting her to work miracles in one quick hour, I was looking for some amount of relief.  She did a great job and I feel so much better now--at least until I check my blackberry and see what work I have to do.  Ugh...

Thought for the day:

Excellence in one area is the beginning of excellence in another area.  Starting today, strive for excellence in all that you do—Robin Sharma

Work...that four letter word that we can't avoid

Work. A four letter word that can bring about happiness and stress all at once.  I find much satisfaction in my job, and am looking forward to the possibility of new beginnings.  I'm truly hoping that I can find greater fulfillment in a new position soon.  Fingers are crossed that this all will work out so I can love what I do and not settle for anything less than that!


Smile:  What did I smile about?
I have friends who take care of me and that makes me smile from ear to ear!  After having a dinner party the other night, I mentioned a story in which I was convinced someone had come into my home and left random bubble wrap in my bathroom sink.  Not remembering that I had previewed some training DVDs that morning that had bubble wrap around them, I was absolutely convinced that someone had been in my house...and perhaps was still in my house.  I told my friends this embarrassing story and so my lovely friends took pity on my and two of them bought me things that will allow me to have some type of light on when coming home to a dark house.  I appreciate that they are taking care of me!  Glad to know that I have good friends who care so much!

Celebrate:  What have I celebrated lately?
It's coming up on year end appraisals and as I consider all that me and my team have accomplished this year, I celebrate the successes we've had.  May not have gotten lots of kudos or extra attention, but I know that I've done small things with great work.  I'm proud of what we've done and while may not have a lot of appreciation, I know that I've made a difference in my area.

Love:  What do I love?

I love that the weather is getting crisper and we can wear sweaters and fun coats.  I like this type of cool, and am dreading the freezing temps that we will get in February.  I'll worry about that another time, but for now will enjoy the nice breeze, the nice cool mornings and wearing light jackets over cute sweaters!  Yea Fall!
Not so happy about the darkness that comes so early these days (we just had the end of daylight savings), but love the nice weather and changing leaves.




Thought for the day:  Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony." —Mahatma Gandhi


Who Says You Can't Go Home???

This weekend was my *gulp* 25th High School Reunion!  I can't believe that this much time has past since I was in high school!  Seriously...it can't be 25 years! Just can't be that long!  We got together at Trey Fisher's ranch (a place that I truly think is THE most beautiful piece of land in all of Texas!) and there were several people that were at this reunion that has never been to any in the past.  I think the invention of Facebook has allowed us to find people that moved to parts unknown, so they were able to know about our little get together.  While my graduating class was quite small, we all were

a pretty close group..in our own way.  I played the sister figure to all the boys...many of whom I wanted not to be considered a sister to and wanted to be much more...but I guess that if I had to play a role, that was a good one to play, cause 25 years later, they still respect me, love me, and I think would be there for me even today if I really needed them!  Great boys...love them lots!  All in all, everyone faired pretty well.  I think by now, we've all worked through all the junk of our early lives and have kinda figured things out.  Everyone has become successful in their own way and it was great to see that in spite of being from that school and getting the "education" we did that we've all done pretty well...may have taken some of us a little longer than others to "get it together", but I think for the most part, we all have.  The boys have all settled down with some really nice girls, and seem to be good dads and providers--some had to try a couple of times to find someone, but all in all they ended up with a good girl.  Some of the kids are spitting images of their parent and it was fun to see the next generation.  I had to laugh at our conversation about "kids these days" and how difficult and different it was from when we were younger.  What an old conversation to have!  Who would have thought that 25 years ago we would have had that conversation...we seemed like a bunch of old people chatting about the good ol' days!  Guess we really are grown ups!

Smile:  What did I smile about?
I had a lot of laughs this weekend...remembering old times and making new memories. We made fun of each other like the good ol' days and had a great time laughing at and with each other!

Celebrate:  What did I celebrate?
I celebrate that although I'm not in the best shape of my life...and am about 20 lbs heavier than I would like to be at the moment...I think I look pretty darn good for having graduated from high school 25 years ago!  I think it has to be the good clean living that I've had all these years!

Love:  What do I love?
I can't describe how beautiful my home town is...the Texas Hill Country is a beautiful part of the world, however seeing the rolling hills, the cedar, the oak trees, the deer, the Guadalupe River, the stars in the sky at night...just beautiful!  So peaceful, so beautiful, so lovely!  If you haven't been to that part of Texas...go...you won't be sorry!

Thought for the day:

There's a song...of course by Bon Jovi...that I think is quite appropriate for this weekend 

"Who Says you Can't Go Home?"

I spent 20 years trying to get out of this place 

I was looking for something I couldn't replace 

I was running away from the only thing I've ever known 

Like a blind dog without a bone 

I was a gypsy lost in the twilight zone 

I hijacked a rainbow and crashed into a pot of gold 

I been there, done thatand I ain't lookin' back on the seeds I've sown, 

Saving dimes, spending too much time on the telephone 

Who says you can't go home

[Chorus] 

Who says you can't go home 

There's only one place they call me one of their own 

Just a hometown boy, born a rolling stone, who says you can't go home 

Who says you can't go back, been all around the world and as a matter of fact 

There's only one place left I want to go, who says you can't go home 

It's alright, it's alright, it's alright, it's alright, its alright

I went as far as I could, I tried to find a new face 

There isn't one of these lines that I would erase 

I lived a million miles of memories on that road 

With every step I take I know that I'm not alone 

You take the home from the boy, but not the boy from his home 

These are my streets, the only life I've ever known, 

who says you can't go home

[Chorus]

I been there, done that and I ain't looking back

It's been a long long road 

Feels like I never left, that's how the story goes

It doesn't matter where you are, it doesn't matter where you go 

If it's a million miles aways or just a mile up the road 

Take it in, take it with you when you go, 

who says you can't go home

[Chorus]

It's alright, it's alright, it's alright, it's alright, its alright 

Who says you can't go home [x2]

Happy Friday!

http://bitsotruth.blogspot.com/

Smile:  What have I smiled about?
A random text or instant message that comes my way during the day from someone that I'm excited to hear from

Celebrate:  What do I celebrate?

I'm celebrating my 25th High School Reunion tomorrow...wish I was 20 lbs lighter but all in all should be fun seeing people and remembering what a dork I was back then.  Enjoying spending some time with my best friend for the past 35 years!  yikes!  that's scary!

Love:  What do I love?
It's been a pretty good week...but I love that it's Friday!  So happy to have an excuse not to work!  I also love business trips that will allow me to go to New York City again in a few weeks so I can learn some things but also get some time off!  I need a vacation!  This summer has gone by too quickly!

Thought for the day:  "Remember, when writing the story of your life, don't let anyone else hold the pen."

Thank you for being a friend

I've heard it said that people come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.  Over the past year, some have come and gone and their reason they came into my life has revealed itself.  Some friends became "seasonal friends" and have decided to take their life in different direction.  In spite of this,however,  I'm fortunate to say that I'm extremely lucky to have a small group of friends that regardless of the length of time in between visits or connections, we still pick up right where we left off and also know that I can call them up in the dead of night and they'd be there right by my side!  I'm very lucky, very blessed and very honored to have a small group of extraordinary women that have molded and shaped me over the years and have made me become the woman I am today.  God blessed me very much with such amazing people to love me...unconditionally.  So, today, I smile, celebrate and love my friendship with my all my fantastic friends.  Thank you for being a friend!

Smile:  What did I smile about recently?
My five year old niece got the game ball for getting the first run in of her game.  She hit the ball  and made it to second base.  So proud of her!  Little athlete in the making!

Celebrate:  What did I celebrate recently?

I celebrate that I'm getting a kitchen counters and redoing my bathroom.  I've contracted out my brother to manage the construction and spent the last week picking out granite --giallo fiorrito is the color for my kitchen.  Santa Cecelia is my color for my bathroom and a nice porcelain tile that sorta looks like travertene is the tile for my floor in my bathroom.  I'm excited to be tearing out the tile in my shower and replacing with a nice marble.  I've been wanting to make these updates for the last 4 years, so I'm glad that I'm finally doing this and hope and pray it's not too painful of a process!


Love:  What do I love?

I love weekends!  I love not having to think about work, love relaxing, organizing, and resting after the long, stressful work life that I have.  I wish time stood still a little more on these two days off so I can get some more life "stuff" done!  I can't believe it's already 8:30 on Sunday!  Where does the time go??

On a different note, I had date number 3 with my new guy.  I'm really not sure what to say...he's nice, but not so sure that there are sparks there for either of us.  I did find out he's not religious and is not a Christian, so that concerns me, as that is the top thing that I'm looking for in a mate.  I have a great time with him and enjoy his company, but am thinking that we may be better friends than anything else.  If he asks, I will go out again with him and am hoping that we can do something other than dinner to see if it generates some sparks between us.  We'll see what happens...AND if this doesn't work out, well, that's ok...just will send my net out again and see what else I cast.  Life will go on and I'll continue being the happy, healthy and terrific person I am!

Thought for the day:  Regardless of what's happening right now, keep affirming: Life brings me everything I need exactly when I need it.


Have a great week folks!  Love you all!

I just haven't met you yet...

Will I find love online?  Stay tuned....

Happy Sunday! Had a week of travel to Maryland and enjoyed a weekend catching up with some good friends.  Trip was good and I was thankful that the weather behaved so I could get there and back in one piece!  I'm a much better traveler when ice and snow are not part of the picture!

Smile:  What's made me smile lately?

Coconut Cupcake--YUMMY!

• Georgetown cupcakes in Bethesda:  Love the coconut cupcake so much that I can't get anything else when I go there!  This place has the BEST cupcakes and I love them so much I can rationalize and justify breaking my diet to eat one!  You must try if in the DC/MD area!  
• Watching movies with good friends:  I'm very blessed to have special people in my life that can also enjoy a quiet evening watching movies and allow me to be a bad hostess and fall asleep on the couch during the movie.  It was a great way to relax after a busy week of travel and meetings.  
• Getting a call from my niece and then finding out that my brother didn't even know she had taken his phone.  I love that she chose to call her Auntie to say "i love you"--so cute!

Celebrate:  What have I celebrated lately?

• That the weather held out and that the east coast has the tools to keep the roads and sidewalks clear when there is even a hint of snow or ice in the forecast.  It was so nice to see the salt pellets on the ground after eating dinner and helped ease my mind for the commute the next day!  Thank you MD taxpayers for putting your tax dollars toward my safety!
• Choices:  we all have a choice to be as happy as we want to be and I celebrate making the right choice most of the time. Life is good and I'm happy to say that I'm making good choices to see the world a little brighter and a little more positive.  Are you making good choices?
• Finally, I celebrate that I'm one of the few lucky ones that has not had to suffer too many bad things in life.  Today in church, we learned how Jesus suffered on the Cross and how God was there by his side, listening to him and how He is there for us as we go through our suffering.  I praise God that while life hasn't always been peaches and cream, I have been very lucky and am blessed to have all that I have, however, I also know that no matter what, HE is there willing and able to help me through whatever it is that I'm going through!  Praise God!

Love:  What do I love?

So, I did it...I finally got myself together enough to try online dating again.  I'm trying to have a good attitude about it and am hopeful that I will meet someone to spend some time with and who knows..perhaps fall in love with.  I truly believe he's out there..I just haven't met him yet!  Stay tuned for more updates on this project!  I'm sure that it will be quite exciting to follow--at least, let's hope that it is!   Enjoy the video...I think it's pretty perfect for my situation!

Thought for the day:

We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves happy.  The amount of work is the same.  --Carlos Castaneda

Cheers to you!  Have a great week ahead!