An End of An Era

Almost one million people showed up today to see the last space shuttle take off on the other coast here in Florida.  For the past 30 years we've almost become immune to the take off and reentry into our atmosphere, but it's truly been an amazing feat.   We take so many things for granted and the brain power at NASA was one of them.  Now, I'm not going to enter into the debate on the federal monies spent for the program, I'm just amazed at all of the programs that have happened thanks to good old American brain power. 

I value scientists, researchers, brain surgeons, artists, etc.  and I wish we gave them the same superstar status that we as a society give to movie stars and sports stars.

 I'm a pushover for a nerd.  I'll take brain power any day!

Horrible Bosses

I've had a couple really horrible bosses in my life, but thank God I'm happy to have a GREAT boss now.  I'm counting down the days until the Jason Bateman, Jennifer Aniston movie Horrible Bosses.  I want to go see it because I've lived it, and it ain't pretty. 

I want to see the movie so I can laugh at the terrible bosses being portrayed, but I'll go home happy knowing that I don't have that problem anymore.  Thank you JESUS!

....and no matter what he's in - Jason Bateman cracks me up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Structure is Best

Weekend was not good.  I am not a good "let it happen" type of person....me needs me structure!  I need plans, I need a plan, I need some form of planning.  See a pattern?

From now on the calendar will be redesigned with plans.  Yep, I said it again, I need a plan.

Pinning and Winning

I got hooked on the new Pinterest boards on-line.  (Seriously if you are a creative person and you're not yet on there, you have to get on and see what all the hype is about).  You have to be invited by someone who is currently a member and then you can design your own design boards with different themes or inspirations.  I have one for Favorite Places/Spaces, Let's Cook, Crafty Dafty, Home Design; you get the picture.  It is addicting! 

I've always kept bulletin board/inspiration boards so this is just like the electronic version of that and it's amazing. But, let me warn you it will suck you in and you'll see so many fantastic things......it's fantastic.

Let me know if you need an invite! 

Throwin' it all away

I recently reconnected with a treasured friend of mine that I hadn't spoken to in a while.  Not from lack of interest, but from being all caught up in a whirlwind of craziness I call my life.
Taking better care of our friendships should be something we are aware of and give thought to instead of taking people for granted.

Time really does fly.  Kids grow up and leave the nest.  Acquaintances come and go, but friends are something to cherish for a lifetime.

Creativity is a GIFT!

Everytime I get lazy or stupid (which I am obviously admitting to publically), I lose my ZING!  I lose the creative side of me that makes me feel good.  When I am writing, designing, and engaging in anything creative, I am a much better me. 

Some people paint, some people sculpt, others are craft mavens.....any of these things are worthy of your time, worthy of your talents and worthy of making yourself a better life.

Be creative, cook or work in your garden, whatever it is that makes you express the creative side of who you are and you'll ignite that fire inside you that makes life worth living!

Life is Short

Today I received a terrible message that one of my friends died.  Here's my blog entry.  Be nice.  Enjoy your life.  Don't put off tomorrow what you should be doing today (calling your family, friends, loved ones).  Do something meaningful for someone else.  Be kind to strangers.  Be the best you possible.  That's all.

Gotta have a sale

Okay, before they call Hoarders on me, I've gotta have a sale.  Moving into a significantly smaller house makes for a huge wake up call.  It's time to sell a lot of my "stuff" and get it gone!  Easier said than done, but picking up only the treasured items and getting rid of the rest will be freeing once the big "pare down" is finished, but until then, it'll keep me mumbling, "I've gotta have a sale....."

What do I do now?

Okay, so I'm one of the last holdouts to the IPhone/Android market.  I've had a Blackberry for many years now and I've gotta tell you, it sucks.  I've spent more time lately waiting while the device gets hung up, stops working (or my favorite) make noises telling me that messages are coming in, but I can't access them.  Aaaaarrrrgh!  I've turned it off, I've taken the battery out, I've been to the Sprint store 6 times and still this piece of crap won't work.  Sprint Business Customer Service is willing to SELL me one of the new devices --- REALLY?  REALLY?  You're willing to SELL me one!  What do I do now?

Taking it for granted

So, I've had a sore throat and kind of a "fuzzy" headache for 3 days.  Called the doctor, but they were moving their office today.  They told me to go to the Walk-In Clinic.  I did and it cost me $75.00 for the guy to tell me "Ummm, yeah, your throat and ears are red," hands me 2 scripts and I'm outta there in World Record time.   My point is, we take our truly good health for granted.  When we feel good, we're consumed with other thoughts, other activities, other things to worry about and we don't truly appreciate when nothing hurts.  That's all.

The Beauty Of It All

When you break it all down and things get tough, you have to decide what's important to you.  Of course you take your family, your spouse, your children, your beloved pet, etc. etc. into account for all decision making, but at the end of the day it's really all about what makes your life beautiful. Is it a gorgeous sunset sliding into the ocean? Yes. Is it spending time with a lifelong friend of 40 years and you start talking and don't stop for 8 hours? (The highlight of my weekend was a trip to the beach to see one of my oldest and dearest friends, YES). Is it the adoring face of your dog when you come home?  (For me, that's a Yes, I love you Lucy).  Is it your teenage son saying, "Thank goodness your home, what's for dinner?" (Happened today and I was thrilled not perturbed, so - Yes).  Is it the set of ridiculously expensive down filled pillows you bought and love every time you see them perched on your couch? (For me, that's a yes). Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I like to find the beauty of it all!

How many is a few?

So I'm still not back on track after the holidays..... I am a person who needs structure. The few extra days I built in after the trip before I had to return to work has not worked out well. Those few days were supposed to allow me to "get organized" and/or clean out some of my ridiculously full closet. 

Knowing that I have to get up, shower and get my butt to work is apparently a good thing after all. 

Coming down off of the "high" of traveling to meccas of style and design has not set well with me this time.  Usually I come home filled with inspiration.  This time I came home and have settled into a sense of melancholy that I just can't kick. It's time to get back to work.  Did I ever think I'd say that?

First day of my ---- maybe a few more days of "planning"

Having just returned from a triumphant holiday road trip, the first day home is a flurry of laundry and larder stocking.  The night wouldn't bring any sleep so the bursts of energy were few and far between....hopefully tomorrow will bring a renewed sense of POW!

Lovin' me some Southern atmosphere

Atlanta, Chattanooga, Savannah, Charleston, New Orleans....these places inspire me.  The beautiful architecture, the food, (and saving the best for last), the history is so thick you can cut it with a knife!  I realized today that being in these places is so inspiring to me that I MUST find a way to make regular trips to these wonderful meccas of style and history.  Not only will I enjoy it, but I think my soul will feel better.  These places stir my soul and it beats the heck out of sleepwalking thru life!  Yep, I love me some Southern atmosphere for sho!

Walking in the footsteps of history

My two youngest sons and I spent the past 2 days in Washington, D.C.  We are all history buffs and I'm an architecture junkie so D.C. is one of the best cities for people like us.  Walking among the beautiful buildings and magnificent collections in museums makes for the best road trip EVER!