Ending 2014 in Pure Bliss!

I have been doing a lot of reflecting on 2014. Wow, what an epic year! I am very proud of the choices and actions I took to improve my outlook on life. Also the daily steps I took toward happiness, without turning back to the lagoon of anger, fear, guilt, and shame that tried to swallow and take me back. 

As I wrote out my list for 2014, I was blown away at what occurred in only 365 days.

I walked through several fires and was able to make a decision to not stop or hesitate. Or look back, I think that was a big step for me. A miracle to take the time to evaluate my options and then take a leap of faith! I am doing the best for me. The consequences of my leaping will be exactly what I need to live.

I am absolutely perplexed and awed by how every little thing added up over the year and my hard work allowed me to take the power back and start living my life to the fullest! Versus trying to live and fit into someone else's life. I know some people don't believe everything happens for a reason. However, I do believe. The ripple affect of my thoughts and actions affect the energy force around me. I have lived, learned, and experienced, in 2014, how to shift my daily perspective to more positive and open minded thoughts of myself and those around me. This has revealed miracles beyond my imagination.

Looking back years, such as 10 or 13 years ago, I think of some of the choices I made it makes me shutter! However, I pause to reflect some of those decisions and steps I took helped build the foundation of who I am today. Some of those decisions, whether I thought right or wrong, were planted in the dirt and today I am starting to see some of the plants sprouting that have been doormat for years. What a beautiful miracle.

I am grateful that certain things didn't work out the way I had once wanted them too. Letting go of the fantasy I desperately wanted to live and breath. The desire to live in a fantasy always poisoned my reality. It is ok for me to dream and strive for better and new things. I feel that is extremely different than striving for an unrealistic fantasy drenched with expectations.

When I share my story, I have found that my perspective has become quite positive and I work really hard to live in the moment; therefore, I forget a lot of the details of my life that helped me get to this point. I am beyond grateful for my journalling and blogging, to help remind me of my journey, step by step.

Blast to the past, I had to find the awareness to start healing from the inside before I could see the outside world, 2011 reflecting. Then in true fashion I always have to over do it before I find my balance. I explain in my reflection of 2012. Then I took the roller coaster into the next year, 2013.

I am looking forward to 2015 and all the wonderful things to come!! A few people have asked what I want 2015 to look like or what I want to accomplish. I have a few key items I want to focus on, but mainly I want to keep doing what I am doing today. Living in the moment and filling my time and thoughts with those that I love, make me laugh, fill me with happiness, and love me for me. Everything else that comes along will fall into place if I focus on those items in my relationships. Also, I am finding when I take care of my needs in those area, I can give back to those around me ten fold! I will also continue to remind myself to take a deep breath, and admire the world around me and relish is all of it's beauty.

Happy New Year! I hope each day is filled with joy, laughter, and happiness for you!

Heaven on Earth

I recently got back from a trip of a life time! I have a bucket list started of things I want to do. Well more accurately, it's places I want to visit and explore! For the last 10 or so years I have wanted to go to Jamaica. In fact, that is where I wanted to go for our honeymoon. Well, needless to say that honeymoon never happened. However, years later I saved up some money and set my mind to it to plan a trip to the Caribbean. My sister and I took a 7 day cruise to the western Caribbean where we visited Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Montego Bay, Jamaica. It was amazing from the moment we left to the moment we got back! We also had a taste of New Orleans were we ported out of, which we will need to go back since we didn't have enough time to explore! 

I loved the color of the water in the Caribbean, so clear and the variety of blues! It was breath taking! My recent under water camera purchase did an amazing job above and below water capture the scenery so I can continue to enjoy the view after the trip. Every always asks, "What was your favorite part of the trip?" I must say the horseback ride and swim in Jamaica was my favorite; however, there were so many wonderful aspects of the trip I could go on and on! We did make some wonderful friends on the ship and would love to plan another cruise or vacation with soon! We were all about the same age, loud, obnoxious, and inappropriate. HA! We were a perfect combination of personalities. Anyhow, I thought I would share some of the moments I captured on our trip with you. Enjoy!

Cozumel (Using a filter)

  

Cozumel (no filter)

Cozumel

Cozumel underwater

Cozumel port - from the ship leaving port

Cozumel 

There were several ships at port (using filter)

Cozumel (My sister and Me)

Grand Cayman

I love reflection photos... can you tell?

Coral in Grand Cayman

Grand Cayman

Grand Cayman

Jamaica

Jamaica

Jamaica (I am on the left and my sister on the right)

Swimming in the ocean I am third from the left

Jamaica (using a filter)

Jamaica off the aft of the ship (panoramic) 

Jamaica (looking off the aft) 

I'm ready to go back for more.... anyone want to go with me?!! I'm serious... :)

Focusing on the Spirit

Yesterday was a good day. I went to work, stopped at a few stores on my way home for some final Christmas items, and filled up the car with gas. Each of these stops I was pleasantly surprised by most of the people around me were smiling and saying hello, simply being friendly, laughing, and going out of their way to be helpful. Not what I am normally use to during this time of year as I have noticed in past years people have their head and eyes down focused on what they are doing and carry the feeling of not content. I have always enjoyed watching people around me, observing their behaviors and wondering what their story is. I can remember growing up my Dad and I would sit in the car, while Mom would run into a store, and watch the people go in and out of the door. We would narrate what we thought their story was. Perhaps a bit judgmental now that I look back, but it was a lot of fun and we would always laugh until our sides hurt. 

Yesterday was a fun day interacting with people and most of them complete strangers. It was nice to see and feel the true holiday spirit at work. It was a great Friday the 13th!

I love our sky. Mother Nature's canvas of beauty I never get tired of viewing.

I also had fun making these yummy adorable Santa hats for our work party. It is a brownie, with icing, and a strawberry. 

Serenity

I survived the drive back and forth across the scorching hot desert this past weekend. Although, I exaggerate a bit on the scorching hot part on my way to California as the weather was quite beautiful! I was able to enjoy the beautiful cloud formations and down pours on and off most of the way.

I have always loved desert storms. They always bring a smile to my face and make me feel a little giddy with happiness! On my 6 hour journey over to visit my dear friends, I made a conscious effort to be aware and use my five senses as I drove through the gorgeous desert storms. As I cruised along I could see the desert spring to life before me as the rain came down. The thirsty desert immediately started to have a tinge of every color of green on the color wheel. When I'm not driving, I love to close my eyes and listen to either the pitter patter of the rain or the intense hammering of the large rain drops hitting the ground in a down pour. Instead, as I drove down the open highway I was able to listen with my eyes open to the different songs the rain created in each rain cell I drove through. The humidity was intense and I could taste the salty rain in the air. When I share that I LOVE desert storms, what I am really saying is that I enjoy taking a deep breath and inhaling the crisp, clean, and fresh smell of the desert. Usually, the primary smell that dominates in the desert is the creosote bush. A little piece of heaven. As I stopped off to take a break and stretch my legs, I also had the amazing opportunity to stand in the rain and allow it to land on my face and arms. I find the entire experience refreshing and helps recharge my body and spirit. The rain has always seemed to help rinse away and clear my vision of any fog or altered perspective I may have fallen into. If you have never experience a desert rain storm, add that to your list to do before you die.
Before I left, I shared that I was going to enjoy the flow of life on my trip. I did just that. I was able to spend some quality time with my two girlfriends and also spend quality time with their families. The few jobs I've had in the past, I've created some amazing friendships and have been able to maintain most of those friendships. There were many smiles, giggles, and belly laughter! Nothing warms my heart more than when their kiddos come running out of the house with arms open screaming my name! I will cherish each wonderful moment of this past weekend. I'm truly privileged to be a small part of each of their lives. Each of my dear friends and their kiddos will always have a special place in my heart.

A quick overview of some of the activities of my whirlwind weekend.
* Beautiful drive, a few photos to share.

* Time at the beach, two of the three days. Serenity.
* Amazing food!

* Decadent dessert at the movie theaters! Yes, you read that right! We went to a really fancy theater to sit and chat while having dessert/drinks at the lounge. We didn't even see a movie!
* Zumba class! Talk about a great workout.
* Lots of walking.
* Cuddling with the kiddos.

Enjoy the photos! I need to research for a shop in town and see if I can get my camera lens cleaned, as I have a black mark on all my photos. It's driving me crazy! Ah well, I feel like the photos captured the moments I wanted to remember.

Little D.

Little M.

Ms. A.

Raining Fourth of July

It's been a beautiful Fourth of July! We woke up to cloudy skies and rain. I love rainy days. Although the humid was high, the rain and clouds helped drop the temperature making the humid a little more bearable. The weatherman reported it was going to rain all day and then start to clear up this evening for the festivities and fireworks! Well, it did just that. They were actually right for once. We don't have any plans to head out to any events. We just enjoyed a nice day relaxing at home together. I love that laughter and smiles filled our home today. Serenity.

I had the day off and enjoyed it very much. I enjoyed sitting with H at our new desk, while I researched new cell phones/plans and H worked. It was nice to be home together all day.

We both love raining days and the smell of rain. It makes both of us smile. The garden and other plants are also happy!

In addition to relaxing with H. I was being crafty today. Working on a possible new product for my Etsy store. Below you can see the pattern of a Beach Towel Checkerboard that can be folded up to take to the beach!

Pattern

I used a zig zag stitch, which uses up the thread much faster! So I ran out about half way through. It's tough to see in the photo above, but I still have some stitching to do around the checkerboard grid. I'll pick up more thread tomorrow.


As always, I try to do things my way because I think it will be easier or more efficient (faster). However, I generally end up going back to square one and following the instructions that were laid out for me. Similar to my recovery program. I get stubborn and think I know best. My H.P. allows me to walk that path, trip and fall, and sometimes repeat. Until I realize, that my self-will is never going to get me anywhere but frustrated and angry. So, I pick myself up and start over. That is exactly what I did with this project. The instructions suggest using HeatnBond, which is an iron-on adhesive that helps place the squares where they need to be before stitching the checkerboard grid. Yup, it worked really well. Minus the few hours the humid was extremely high and it decided it didn't want to stick to the towel! Despite the several obstacles I had today with this project, I'm doing really well and learned a few things on the way.

I suppose in order for me to learn, I sometimes have to learn the hard way. Sigh.

Hope you had a great day!

Day 24: Feet

I've learned it's a good idea to keep your feet on the ground! I heard an Al-Anon speaker share an exercise she does frequently through out the day. Stop what you are doing and sit down. Next wiggle your feet back and forth. Now be in the moment, right where your feet are at. An excellent way to remind myself to stay present.

I'm grateful that I let more of my worries blow away with the wind. Smiling, laughing, and being silly with friends and family has helped me let go of worry and pain. 99% of the time I'm worrying about something, it's simply one of my warped perception of something that will most likely never happen. And if that "something" does happen, I need to deal with it then, not wasting my energy right now when I should be living in the moment. I'm sure glad that sign was there to hang onto when that gust of wind went by to help me place my feet back on the ground. ;0)

"Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground." Theodore Roosevelt

Day 4: Something Funny

Wow, this was a tough one! I just got home from our Area Al-Anon Convention over the weekend. It was one of the best conventions I've been too! Great fellowship, amazing speakers that shared their experience, strength, and hope, delicious food, and great location. It was a very spiritual weekend.

I recruited a few of my friends to help me find something that was funny, I could take a photo of. We giggled a lot this weekend about many things; however, nothing really that I could take a photo of. So I handed it over to my H.P. to bring me something funny that I could capture for my post today. Not even 10 minutes after I did that, I was asked briefly to hold the 2way radio. I was a little confused when my friend started to laugh out loud, until she pointed out what the label said on the 2way radio! I love that the smallest, silliest thing can make us laugh and the power of our H.P. can come to the rescue when we hand it over to our H.P.'s will, not ours.

"Now I look for humor in every situation, and my Higher Power is a laughing God who reminds me not to take myself too seriously." As We Understood...

A Little Red & Rover for Today

HA! I LOVE this cartoon of Red and Rover. I have a link on my blog page under Great Websites. We don't have a doggy door at our house because two of the three pups would be in the pool year round and then on the couch/bed. Not going to work. So we have a lot of conversations with the dogs particularly when we are leaving for the day, "ok, go outside and go potty!" All three are really good at listening and doing their business on command. They know it could be a long day inside. They have an outside doggy "resort" pen, but I spoil them a lot and let them stay inside.

So this cartoon really made me laugh out loud, because there are days they either don't have to go or their business is mowing the lawn! My husband and I will stand outside "mooing" at them as they chow down the grass! It is quite funny. As soon as I saw this cartoon, I thought we should make a sign for our pups "Will Mow Grass 5 cents." HA!

Hope you have a wonderful day filled with smiles!

Laughter

Back to work today, but it was a wonderful long weekend! I took Thursday and Friday off last week. I had a long to-do list and accomplished most of it. Which always feels good. I must share a few "mistakes" I made this weekend that literally made me laugh out loud at myself. It's a good day when I can laugh at something dumb or silly I've done.

On Saturday, I was working in the backyard tending to the garden and our other plants. The weather was beautiful and the temperature was in the high 60's with a mixture of clouds and sun. I'm walking around the side of the pool to water our Ficus tree, when all of a sudden I stepped back and had a shocking COLD wake up call! As I resurfaced to the top of the pool I was gasping for air from the shock and COLD! As I sat on the bench seat in the deep end of the pool trying to catch my breath, I'm laughing so hard it's not helping to catch my breath. I felt so silly for falling into the pool! In the 9 years we have owned this house, I've never fallen into the pool like that! I scratched and bruised one of my chins and the top of my foot pretty good. Ouch.

The second thing I did this weekend. I have a coupon for a digital photo book that expires the end of this week. So I've been scanning some old photos. Well, I was about 90% done when my husband mentioned that the default setting on our scanner was the lowest dpi setting available. I just about cried at that moment. But instead just started laughing hysterically! What else could I do?! So I started over, but with a better dpi setting so the photos were a better quality. I must say that was a lot of hours scanning photos. Lesson learned, double check my the settings before starting a huge project like that. 

I'm thankful I can laugh at myself when I do things like this, when in the past I would of been angry, lashed out at anyone and everyone around me! This anger and frustration would fester for weeks and bleed into all parts of my day. Not pretty. Now I just take a deep breath and ask myself, "How important is it?!" Then laugh out loud. It helps me to put things in perspective faster.

Laughter is Contagious