Choose Happiness

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Life is so much better when you choose to be happy.  I'm making a much more conscious effort to think positive thoughts, wish for positive things and just see the world from a much more half full approach.  So far, it's working.  I've been happier than I've been in a long time and am very grateful for all that is around me and all that I have.  It's pretty amazing what changing your thoughts can do for you!  If you haven't tried it yet, try it.  See the positive in a situation and I promise you, you'll have a different perspective.  Dr. Wayne Dyer says "When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at will change."  It's a powerful statement with huge impact on you life.  So...choose happiness!  It really is the only way to get through this crazy world we all live in!

Smile:  What have I smiled about lately?
I signed up for Weight Watchers online and have to smile about the fact that I've been following the program and have been working out much more than I had been.  So far, so good.  Haven't weighed myself lately, but am hoping to smile when I see the number tomorrow morning!  It's certainly a journey!  I haven't put these 15 pounds on over night, so it's not going to be coming off over night.  I'm just trying to record what I eat, make better choices and move a little more than I had been and I'm hoping that combination will eventually trigger this weight to come off!  I'm hoping this new found positive outlook will also help!  

Celebrate:  What have I celebrated lately?
I received some very good feedback from our HR person the other day.  It made me very happy to hear that my brand has been positive and that I'm seen to have value at work.  I wasn't sure what would be said when I had my meeting with her, but very happy that it was positive!  
I also celebrate a big event happening soon...more to come on that, but am excited about something new coming into my life (hopefully!)

Love:  What do I love?
I love that we got some rain last night and that the weather behaved itself and didn't stir up some really bad thunderstorms.  It's getting that time of year when we get heavy rain, high winds and threats of tornadoes.  I'm not a big fan of that time of year, so was very happy that we got a little rain last night and it went away by morning so we could enjoy a super lovely sunny, Sunday!  Was a great day, to top off a great weekend!  Life is great!

For those that are interested, my boys' new album "What about now"  will be available for pre-order on February 12 and will be released on March 8 (Mom's birthday!).  You can order via itunes.  They were supposed to open their first concert last night in Connecticut but due to "Nemo" the Snowstorm that dumped 40 inches of snow, they cancelled, but still played for about 2000 people.  Tonight was the first time to a sold out crowd in DC...sure wish I had a reason to have been in the DC area this weekend so I could have gone! I have to wait until March 16, when Bonnie and I hit the road for one of our many adventures and see them in Oklahoma City! Should be quite fun!  

Thought for the day:
You were born to be awesome, please don't die average- Robin Sharma

Cheers!  Have a great week!  I am going to!

Home Sweet Home--Staycation in October

Today was day one of my stay cation and it was awesome!  I got a two hour massage, went to Hobby Lobby, found a new gift store and made a wreath for my front door. Oh..and I worked out and stayed on  my diet!  I am so looking forward to this week and am just going to take advantage of what there is to do in Dallas, try to see if I can find some deals on Groupon and Living Social, see a few movies and do a little shopping.  I want to plant some flowers and read a book.  I have quite the ambitious list this week...the main one being just completely relax and get renewed to face the rest of the year!  It's been quite challenging and very stressful lately at work, and I'm in much need of just getting away and forgetting what I do for a living for a few days.  I hope the week goes slow.

Smile:  What did I smile about today?
The wreath I made and hung on my front door.  I think it looks pretty professional, if I do say so myself.

Celebrate:  What do I celebrate?
I've done really well on my diet.  I'm making better decisions and working out more.  I feel better and have more energy to do some things.  So far, so good..I've lost about 6 pounds so far...24 more to go!  UGH!

Love:  What do I love?
I love that I have a job that will allow me to be away from it for one solid week and pay me like I was there!  I'm very blessed!

Thought for the day:

It's finally here

NEW TV!  I love this week--trying to figure out if I'm going to stick with a show; coordinating where to record new shows so the old stand bys don't get missed; and giving the thumbs up/thumbs down on some of the new concepts.  Yes, this is the best week!  I'm glad I'm in town to juggle between the shows!  Happy Fall everyone!

Smile:  What have I smiled about lately?

Me, my co-workers and manager
at First USA opening Sept '98
Lots of  good memories about this day!
This was a good time in life!

I was recently going through some old pictures and came across some from my time at First USA in Austin.  There were some great memories at that company and was great to relive a few of those through pictures.  I was quiet young, naive and so full of hope.  Have had a chance to reunite with some through Facebook or Linked-in and have been really excited to see them all again and catch up on life.  They knew me when...and it's nice to be able to say the same about them!

Celebrate:  What do I celebrate?
I celebrate that I've finally taken charge of this weight thing that I have going on and am making a change.  A few weeks ago I took advantage of an offer on Living Social to join a weight loss center.  I'm taking control back and doing something about this fat! I hope that THIS time I'm successful!  I will be successful!  I will be successful!  I will be successful!  By January--if all goes well, I'll be in those pants that I haven't been able to wear in 3 years!  Yep..I'll be in those and looking and feelin' fine!

Love:  What do I love?
I love that we've had rain the last couple of days...good soaking rain that we needed desperately!  So happy to finally get a break in the heat and finally get some much needed precipitation!

Thought for the day:

Something to think about for sure!  Enjoy your week!
cheers!

Happy Birthday America!

Happy Birthday America!  I'm so blessed to live in this
great country!  Thanks to all those that have fought for this freedom!

KABOOMTOWN--ADDISON TX JULY 3rd, 2011

I got to enjoy a GREAT firework show --the #3 in the nation--in Addison TX last night!  While it was still about 99 degrees at 9:30 PM, it was quite enjoyable!  My friend Kristina and I decided to treat ourselves to a nice dinner and hotel so we didn't have to fight the traffic and just enjoy the show.  Was a lovely evening..in spite of the heat!  I'm continuing to enjoy my new camera and think I got some pretty good pics of the show.

So much to update on lately...let's see if I can capture it all in this post...

Smile:  What have I smiled about lately?
I have been in a good place lately.  Things are going well.  We found out that we all got raises (change in company compensation), so that is a nice surprise.  Also, have gotten some good feedback from my boss, which is something I really needed to hear.  Have seen some movies lately (Bridesmaids and Bad Teacher), both of which you have to laugh at...in spite of the raunchy humor!

Celebrate:  What have I celebrated lately?
Well, I've decided that I'm going to stay in my current job and actually have celebrated my renewed outlook on it.  I think I finally have determined what I appreciate about it and am "fertilizing my own backyard" as my BFF says.  I haven't finished all that I've set out to do there and think that I need to give it a little more time to do so.  Also, have gotten the "go ahead" to explore some other areas within my job that I'm excited about and think will give me some good experience.

Love:  What have I loved lately?
My last post mentioned that I had a dinner evening with an old business partner that I worked with a couple of years ago.  We had a nice evening and have gone out again.  He's a really nice guy!  Really nice guy!  Couple of red flags that I see so far, but when I think about all that I'm looking for, he's got a lot on the list.  One thing he doesn't have...a residence in Dallas...that may be the biggest deal breaker.  At any rate, he's been very attentive to me, and I have to say that it's nice to think you are on someone's mind...and to have someone on mine!  We'll see how it goes.  He comes back to Dallas in a couple of weeks....

On a different note, I am not smiling about, celebrating or loving my weak attempt at beating the battle of the bulge!  I've been so stressed out  and so much in a funk that I just can't seem to get in the mood to eat right or work out...even though I know that if I did, I'd feel better!  Now that I'm finally a little more in control, I'm beginning the battle again!  Going to try having an accountability partner and see how that goes for me!  I hope that will do the trick--something's gotta give--I either need to lose that weight, or buy new clothes...that's the crossroad that I'm at right now!  UGH!  I hate the battle!!!  Someday I'll win!

And of course...it's not a holiday without a wish from my boys--Happy Fourth of July folks!

yes...America is BEAUTIFUL!!

Thought for the day:     "The moments of happiness we enjoy take us by surprise. It is not that we seize them, but that they seize us." —Ashley Montagu


In the midst of progress...

Before

After

I've been living in a bit of clutter for the last few days as the demo has begun on my bath and kitchen!  Fortunately I have two other bathrooms to shower in but now, I have no kitchen and no sink to wash anything in (not to mention, no faucet!).  I'm hoping that all this will be done in a few days and am anxious to get this done!  I'm hoping that everything I pick out will all go together!  I'm really worried about that...I guess I'll know more on Tuesday!  *Fingers Crossed*

Smile:  What have I smiled about lately?

My sweet sister came to visit us this weekend and it was good to see her smile and spend some time with she and my brother and his family.  We had lots of laughs and many good moments with each other.  I love spending time with my siblings and had a great weekend with them sharing stories and fellowshipping with one another.  We are very blessed that we have each other through the good and bad times--I'm a very lucky girl!

Celebrate:  What do I celebrate?

  

I signed up again for my favorite work out class at the gym--Team Weight Loss!  I found out my favorite trainer that I got the most results from is now teaching at my gym and once I heard that I decided to sign up again for the class.  I hope that it will kick me into gear and help me see results that I haven't really seen over the last few weeks!  The class takes place on the treadmill and is mostly interval training and heart rate training.  It's a great way to burn lots of calories and really changed my way of working out. I'm excited to begin this class and am happy to be in the gym three times (at least) a week! 

Love:  What do I love?

Other than my family...I love that I bit the bullet and bought an ipad.  I was feeling a little left out on my business trips since everyone else on the plane seemed to be enjoying watching movies via their ipad or reading books and I didn't have one...Tracy was selling hers, and made me a good deal.  I can't wait to travel again!  --well, that may be taking it too far..I'll enjoy my next business trip more --that's more like it!  

Thought for the day:  I believe in miracles. I look for miracles. And so I see and experience them often.

Have a good week!

What day is it?

I woke up this morning and couldn't remember what day it was. I was so confused because of traveling in the middle of the week and coming home on Wednesday, which is something that I don't typically do (will either come home Thursday or Friday). As I said yesterday, I was pretty tired from not getting much sleep and so would have loved to have slept a few more hours hours, but alas, I had to get up and get ready because I had a meeting with our VP that promptly started at 8am. One thing I have to admit is that I'm not a morning person and forcing me to be at a meeting that starts at 8 is ...well challenging for me. At least I'm willing to admit my flaws. Anyway, once I finally decided it was officially Thursday, I was pretty happy because this week seemed to go by quickly and am happy that the weekend is coming so I can get some rest. Yea for Thursday!

Smile: What made me smile today?

I really enjoy listening to sports radio on my way home from work. I started listening to them over 15 years ago when the Cowboys were in their height of their hayday and my boy Troy Aikman was playing. I was obsessed with all things sports, and particularly the cowboys. Since that time, I've changed my obsession (now Bon Jovi) but still listen to The "Hardline" each night. I think the guys on there are quite funny and they typically make me laugh each night because of their bantering and funny quips they make to each other. Of course I do get caught up on the latest going on in sports, like today Jason Garrett was named Head Coach of the Dallas Cowboys, but I also feel like I get some good laughs even though sometimes they are a little irreverent. They do make me smile and are a good way to end a long day when all I want to do is escape from the stress and just laugh my way home! I guess I'm what they would call a "TicketChick"--or a P1, whatever that is (hope it's not anything nasty!)

Celebrate: What do I celebrate?

I was able to fit comfortably into some pants that when I last wore were quite tight. I weighed myself this morning and was shocked to see the number as it was lower than the other day! Not sure how that has happened, because I certainly haven't been starving myself to death. I hope my scales are broken and my pants were switch at the cleaners!

Love: What do I love today?

I love that I found a dollar in the bottom of my purse so I could get lunch without having to use my debit card! Now...if only I could find that missing $100...

Thought for the day: For good health and a strong spirit repeat 10 times daily: "I am loveable." "I am loving." "I am loved"

Cheers to you!