Feels something like summertime!

Remember when I said I wasn't going to complain about it being 100 degrees???  Well, I forgot what it felt like when it was only 12 degrees...100+ for the past week has brutal...and today is only the first day of summer..I think global warming is more than a urban legend! Al Gore may be right!

Smile: What did I smile about today?
I smiled that my housekeepers came today and that I came home to a lovely smelling home with clean sheets, clean floors and clean toilets!  It's the little things that bring a smile to this girl's face!

Celebrate:  What did I celebrate today?
I celebrate that I applied for a job today and got a phone interview tomorrow.  I have thought and prayed about this opportunity and feel really good about taking this next step. It's doing something a little different than I'm doing today and my role may change slightly, but I think I'm looking for the experience and excited about what I can learn from this.  I think it's a good step to take!  At least I hope it's a good step to take

Love:  What do I love?
Well...today I ran into someone in my office that got divorced about a year ago...he invited me to dinner tomorrow night, so we'll see what may happen there.  Going in with low expectations and see what may happen.  Not calling it a date...just dinner.
I also love my sister and so glad she's taking a big step toward healing from some recent hurts.  She has a rough couple of days ahead of her at Life Enrichment Boot Camp, but I think in the long run, she will have a fresh start and a fresh life!  I pray that this experience is what she needs to move forward!

For your viewing pleasure...in honor of Summertime--a message from my boys...



Thought for the day: You must begin to think of yourself as becoming the person you want to be.” -David Viscott

It's Championship Monday!

For the first time in franchise history the Dallas Mavericks won the NBA championship this year! Was a great series and very exciting to watch them beat the team that was predicted to win the whole thing in four games.  Mavericks win!

The interesting thing that everyone is speaking about isn't so much how great the players are (they are good, don't get me wrong), but how they worked as a team and got the job done.  They all picked up where one left off and got the job done.  Once again, teamwork is the key...a good management lesson for the day.

Smile:  What did I smile about today?
I smiled as I realized that I didn't need to go into the office and rolled over in my bed and decided to sleep in a little longer and work from home today....love that I can occasionally do that!

Celebrate:  What did I celebrate today?
I celebrate that I actually got several things crossed off my to-do list and feel like I got some things accomplished today..a feeling that I haven't had in a while

Love:  What do I love?
Besides reality TV?  I love my home.  It's not huge, not a mansion, but it's mine.  I love that it's comfortable, it's clean, it's safe, it's just big enough for me.  I love that I enjoy being here and appreciate the comforts it provides me.  I'm very blessed and very fortunate.  Thank you God!

Thought for the day:  "You're always alone, but your only lonely if you don't like the person you're alone with".  Wayne Dyer

Things are looking up!

I love when I drive to work and look up in the sky and see a scene like the picture above.  It brings me such peace and helps me realize the God is always with me and will take care of me. Sometimes you just have to look up (literally) to know that you are loved and surrounded by God's never ending grace!

Smile: What's made me smile?

Me and Bonnie took a trip to Arlington to the Great American Scrapbook Convention...aka nerdville.  It was a great day shopping for bargains and putting our creative hats on to help us get out of our heads, which our jobs require us to be so much of the time.  It was a great way to spend an afternoon with my BFF and lots and lots of paper products! Bon--I draw the line at matching bedazzled shirts..just sayin.

Celebrate:  What do I celebrate?
I have a meeting tomorrow with a potential new manager to find out about a job opening in her division.  I'm pursuing other job opportunities because I have come to the realization that I'm too stressed out, complaining too much and just not feeling like I'm fulfilled.  I have made the decision to make some changes to my situation and do something that I need to do to find that peace and happiness that I so long for.  So, I've started reaching out to my network to let them know that I'm available for pursuing some additional opportunities and have applied to some job postings.  I've been overwhelmed by the responses that I've gotten from my network who have said how excited they are to consider working with me closer.  That is a huge honor from some of these people and I'm quite blessed that my reputation, which I've worked so hard to create is strong and good within my organization.  Today, I also received a possible lead to a job that I applied for and hope to set up some time with the recruiter to discuss in more detail.  We'll see what happens, but I feel good that God is blessing me, he's answering my prayers and once again, he is taking care of me--I think I celebrate that the most!

I also celebrate that I was told by our Executive Vice President  that I did a good job presenting to the President of the Bank an overview of the Training Organization.  She's a tough cookie, so getting that compliment meant a lot! Whew!  I passed that test, was quite stressed out about it!

Love:  What do I love?
It takes so much effort for me to get to the gym, but once I do, I LOVE how I feel after working out.  It truly does help my stress and makes me feel so strong.  If I would only remember how I feel I'd do it more often...how quickly the mind forgets the good feeling and only remembers the pain!  Well..perhaps I'll start a new leaf and get myself back in the gym!  I so need to be there on a regular basis!  So desperately need to be there!




Thought for the day:  You become what you think about whether you like it or not-Wayne Dyer.   (That's why I'm looking for a new job...I'm becoming a complainer and I just don't want to be "that girl!")

Cheers

Happy Memorial Day!

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" John 15:13

Let's remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice!

Smile:  What made me smile?

Relaxing this weekend...brings a smile to my face because I FINALLY feel renewed again.  Got my smile back!  Never knew I needed this three day weekend so much!

Celebrate:  What do I celebrate?

I celebrate the men and women past and present who have given their lives to defend this great nation.  I'm so humbled and honored to be served in such a way.  Thank you for serving our country!!

Love: What do I love?

These days, I love my IPAD!  I've enjoyed taking it on trips and have started using it to read books and play games.  I love the convenience of it and so happy I was able to strike a deal with my sister and get it second hand.  I think I got a pretty good deal...hope she feels that way still!

Thought for the day:  Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure." - A RETURN TO LOVE Marianne Williamson

What I know for sure...Oprah taught me...

For the past 25 years, I have turned into Oprah and today was her very last show.   She's taught me so much about how to be an adult.  Her show first started the Fall of my Freshman Year in college.  I quickly learned that she was going to be a great teacher for me.  Her show and I grew into adulthood together and she was there to provide some words of wisdom on a regular basis.  Seemed like no matter what I was going through that I could tune in and find something that would give me the knowledge to handle a situation or how to view myself a little differently.  I learned what it meant to live my authentic self and to be happy in the skin I'm in.  I learned diet and exercise tips.  I learned how to decorate my house. I learned about clothing tips.  I learned about latest gadgets and hot items to purchase at Christmas.  I learned the power of a vision board.  I learned that I have the power within myself and don't need anyone to "complete" me.  I learned what my poop should look like.  I learned how to manage my finances.  I learned dating tips.  I learned how to parent.  I learned about new books that were on the market that introduced me to new authors and different ways of thinking.  I learned about relationships.  I learned the importance of looking around and being grateful for the big and small things in life (which was one of the main reasons for this blog).  I learned how to appreciate myself.  I learned how to feel worthy of all I am and all I have.  She was a great teacher in my life. 

I can honestly say that I’m living my best life. I love who I am.  Am proud of what I am.  Am happy in the skin I’m in.  And worthy of all I have.  Thank you Oprah for teaching me these lessons..and so much more!  You will be missed!

For a full transcript of her last show, please go here: Oprah's love letter

Smile:  What did I smile about today?

I was told that I was appreciated today by someone that I didn’t think appreciated me much.

Celebrate:  What did I celebrate today?

I celebrate Oprah’s last show. 

Love:  What do I love?

I love that in spite of the crazy storms last night, today the sun is shining, the wind is not as strong and there is hope that tomorrow will continue.  

Thought for the day: Every new beginning is from some other beginnings end.

It's the end of my tour as I know...and I feel fine...

Just so happened that the picture above was on my page a day calendar on Friday and have to say, was a great way to begin the weekend.  As you know, I'm obsessed with Bon Jovi.  In the last 14 months, I've been to 5 shows and can't get enough.  I know this doesn't sound very practical to many of you, however they put on such a great show and for 2 1/2 hours you forget all the troubles in the world.  I love their music and find such comfort and optimism in it, so I think it's ok to be a little obsessed.  

Me and Bonnie in Houston airport waiting to hear
if our name is called for the flight!

Well, they've been touring since February 2010 and this past weekend were their last shows in America before heading over to Europe to officially end the tour in July.  I had gone to a show in San Antonio in March and thought that was going to be my last, but it just didn't feel right to end on that note...I had to find another (once again my obsession kicks in!).  So, I asked my trusted side kick and BFF, Bonnie if she wanted to go on another adventure with me.  She has flight benefits and so we had to choose somewhere that SWA flies, so Milwaukee seemed to work best with our schedules and flights.  I bought the tickets, she got a hotel and off we were to the nice state of Wisconsin!  Never been there before...I like cheese and enjoy a good beer every once and awhile, so seems like a good place to visit!

As it got closer it seemed that flying directly into WI wasn't such a good idea so we came up with plan B..fly to Chicago and drive almost 2 hours.  We prayed that we wouldn't get stuck somewhere and would be able to complete our adventure.  As luck would have it, Dallas got bad storms on Friday so we were a little freaked out that we wouldn't make it there, but prayers were answered and we made it on flights to Chicago...didn't get in until after midnight, but hey, it was free, we got on the flight and all was well.  So lucky!  

Got into Milwaukee around 4pm, checked into our nice Hilton Garden Inn near the airport (highly recommend!) and just rested for a little while before heading out to the big show.  We had heard that the end of the world was coming at 6pm local time, as  Mr. Harold Camping has expressed, so we were ready for the big event...although were secretly hoping to see my Jonny baby one last time before meeting my God!  Luckily, Mr. Harold Camping was wrong and we all are here to share another day.  While I'm happy the world didn't end, I'm also confident to say that I'm ready to go...should that great day happen!

So happy to be there! Lovely place!

What a nice welcome note!

And one final time...I love Bon Jovi!

We got to the concert and found our seats...great seat selection!  We walked around and found an opportunity to get out picture taken with the band...who knew they'd be hanging around before the show???  You'd think they'd be warming up or something...what a moment!

Yep...this will be a Christmas Card Picture!

Enjoyed the show...sang our lungs out (yes Bonnie got video/audio of our lovely voices!--no that won't be posted anywhere publically!).  It was an awesome night!  The crowd was so into the show, didn't see anyone sitting down at all, very loud..even the boys were amazed at the noise level!  Was a great event!  Loved every minute of it and so glad that I went out with a bang!  So, my tour is over, unless I figure out a way to get to Greece or Turkey in the next few weeks...too bad SWA doesn't fly there....would be something I'd consider though, if I could swing it!

And now...the good part...the pictures...

Lost in the powerful words he was singing...
"I'll be there for you..."

Guitar....

Band...minus Richie (he's in rehab...miss ya Richie!)

I think he's thanking God that this tour is almost
over and he can go home and spend time with his family!

And that's it folks...till next time...hopefully
there will be a next time!  

Jon was happy about the fact that we survived the threat of the end of the world and chose to sing part of the REM song "It's the end of the world as we know it.."..enjoy:




Thought for the day:  Anything is possible if you've got the nerve--JK Rolling (Harry Potter Creator).

Cheers!

"I'm feeling like a Monday, but Someday I'll be Saturday night"--JBJ

This weekend, I pretty much did as Jane Austen suggests...stay home for real comfort.  It's been a crazy several weeks and have even crazier ones ahead, so I was in need of some couch time and time to update my scrapbook.  Still trying to finish 2010!  All in all was a good weekend, just not long enough to really fully relax like I need to.  I'm planning a vacation sometime soon...I need some get away time!

Smile:  What did I smile about?
At church yesterday, we honored the Seniors.  They actually lead all the singing and video production.  It was so wonderful to see how christ-like they were.  They seemed all so innocent, full of life and hope and so joyful to share their faith.  They were singing like angels and really, truly praising God for what he's done in their lives.  It was so inspiring to see young people (I can't believe I'm actually using that phrase...but that's what they are!) be so open about their Christianity.  Was very inspirational!  I need to take a few lessons from them!

Celebrate:  What did I celebrate?
I went to the doctor today and found out my cholesterol is very good.  He was quite amazed at how great my levels were and told me to keep doing what ever I'm doing to keep them in check.  Given that my family has a history of high cholesterol, I'm very happy with that news!  Now, for all other examination results to go just as well!

Love:  What do I love?
I love sleep...something that I've been having difficulty doing lately and wish I could get more of.  I think that would help me maintain my diet a little more, make me feel a little better in the morning and allow me to think a little clearer at work.  Yes, sleep, it's a good thing.  And with that...I'm turning in for the night...good evening my friends!

Thought for the day:  Keep looking forward, that's why the windshield is so big and the rearview mirror is so small!

Cheers!