Save My Sunshine

Costa Rica part 2 Dominical

2010-07-18T16:26:00.005-04:00

Just posted Costa Rica part 2 Dominical @ www.savemysunshine.com
Go to http://www.savemysunshine.com for the full story and more pictures!

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Our Amazing Costa Rica Adventure

2010-07-12T23:13:00.003-04:00

New post on Save My Sunshine

Hope everyone is having a great summer!

xoxo
Kim

2010-06-13T02:48:00.000-04:00

Our Girl is a Graduate!

http://savemysunshine.com/?p=621

Drumming, Drumming and more drumming

2010-05-18T22:25:00.004-04:00

Drumming, Drumming and more drumming

www.savemysunshine.com

Enjoy!

He's Home

2010-05-15T09:53:00.004-04:00

http://savemysunshine.com/

Well... he was home! Our son was home on leave and it was so wonderful to spend time with him! See my post on Savemysunshine.com

Peace & Love,
Kim

Miami Heat

2010-04-21T08:34:00.006-04:00

... that was the theme of our daughter's Senior Prom held at the Rosen Plaza Hotel Saturday night, April 17th. She went with her boyfriend. She has gone to almost all her high school dances with him, there are only 2 dances that I can recall that she went with someone else. There have been 3 dances a year since her freshman year. This is her last one... sniffle, sniffle. They had a wonderful time! She will look back someday and remember these days fondly. Our daughter chose not to go with the baby blue and white theme (Miami Heat), she dares to be different! When we found this dress, we knew it was the one. She looked gorgeous (as usual!). She is a beautiful girl, what I love most is that she has such personality, a giving heart, loves life and shines her light everywhere she goes. Here are a few pictures. You can only imagine how many I actually have! Hope you enjoy.

It's APRIL~

2010-04-03T17:28:00.012-04:00

Hello,
We made it through Spring Break, yeah! Since about 2000, we have been taking family vacations during Spring Break. It is a good time of the year to go somewhere as a family. This year, was different. Our son of course is deployed and no longer lives at home and our daughter wanted to go to the beach with her friends because it was her last year in high school, her "last high school spring break!" So Road King and I worked while our daughter played in New Smyrna Beach. I have to admit, it was a bit stressful okay it was a lot stressful, a little "test" for all of us for when she goes away to college in the fall. Her and 6 of her friends in two hotel rooms at the beach... was I really expecting to get any rest this week? All worked out well, they were typical teenagers, they didn't sleep, they got into arguments and on each other's nerves, but no one got hurt or in trouble, so life is good!

There are about 33 days of school left! Lots to do, graduation announcements, parties, cheer banquets, and so on!

We are also very excited as we spoke to our son and he will be home on leave April 22nd. He is back in the US and just left Hawaii, were he was able to take a couple days leave before heading back to San Diego and then on to Yuma, AZ. We can't wait to see him. It has been 7 months since we have seen him, he turned 21 during that time too!

When our son was a senior in high school he got to choose where he wanted to go for our family vacation, he chose NYC. It was an awesome trip. This year, for our daughter's graduation trip, she chose California. This summer we are planning a trip back to the West Coast, can't wait! We have done San Francisco and LA before, so we will hit up some new spots this time.

Love & Peace,

Kim

Where have I been?

2010-03-24T18:21:00.021-04:00

That is a very good question... where have I been? I've been out and about, I'm not standing still, that's for sure! A couple of weekends ago, Rich and I took a ride on the Harley, we went to Blue Springs to say Hello to the Manatees. What a beautiful afternoon. We stopped at the 7-Eleven for drinks and snacks to take with us for an impromptu picnic. Love days like this.

On Wednesday we celebrated St. Patrick's Day at our local Irish Pub, Scruffy Murphy's. We live in walking distance to the pub, so it is very convenient. They had a tent outside with an Irish band and dancers. When we had our fill of Irish beer, we walked next door to Paxia for some Mexican food, it was an international evening. Our good friends joined us along with our daughter, fun fun night.

Last Saturday, I had the best day with Hippie Chick (our daughter). We started the day with breakfast at our local College Park Diner with the guys, Road King, his father, brother and nephew. We were two giggling girls, I think the guys were still asleep. Then Hippie Chick and I went to the Tattoo place to get my nose pierced! Yep, I did it! I love it! It hurt, hurt, hurt and I did bleed a lot, sorry to be so graphic, but I did! It is still a little sore, but I do love it. Next we went to Cache and found the perfect prom dress for Hippie Chick, absolutely gorgeous on her. Then off we went to my mother-in-laws house for a Pampered Chef Party. Lots of laughs spending the day together.

Sunday it was a rainy day, Road King and I had planned to go to the Art Festival, but the weather didn't hold out. So we ended up going to lunch and then shopping for Road King. Can't remember the last time we went specifically to shop for Mr. Road King. He bought new sexy jeans, plus a pair he picked out. (Ha Ha j/k... love you honey) Bought a few shirts and a hot pair of boots. I ended up getting a hot pair of boots too, can't wait to wear them. Road King talked me into it, I swear.

During the week, I'm working... I have really been missing my photography and writting. I am so behind on my photo a day project it has become a photo a week project and slipping into a photo a month quickly. I still have hope I will catch up. This last Monday, I did go to djembe drumming lessons, that was a blast and I can't wait to get my own drum, should be ready next Monday or so. Yeah! I'll be sure to post plenty of pictures of my new drum.
I'll go for now, still lots more going on, I will catch you all up soon.
I've missed you guys!

Love & Peace,
Kim

Playing For Change | Peace Through Music

2010-03-19T09:41:00.012-04:00

Playing For Change | Peace Through Music

Posted using ShareThis

Music can evoke so much emotion, it can bring back memories, it can make us feel happy, joyful, playful, energized and even sad at times. It can connect us… bring people together. Music is powerful. I found this movement called “Playing for Change.” Watching the videos and listening to the music makes me smile, such amazing energy! I love it when our world becomes smaller. Spread the word…

Playing For Change | Peace Through Music

Posted using ShareThis

Set a Goal, Train, Focus and Achieve

2010-03-15T09:24:00.016-04:00

There is more inside you than you dare think. - David Brower
Those who have accomplished great things have had a great aim, have fixed their gaze on a goal which was high, one which sometimes seemed impossible - Orison Swett Marden
Saturday morning our daughter participated in the largest 15K in the country, The Gate River Run. Friday night we headed north to Jacksonville, Fl to stay the night so we could be up nice and early for the race. On the way, we stopped at Carrabba's Italian Grill for a wonderful relaxing dinner. We made it to Jacksonville about midnight and had a few good hours of sleep before getting up at 5:00 AM to head to the race. The race started and finished around the Jacksonville Jaguar Football Stadium. It was a beautiful morning, it started off a little chilly but warmed up nicely, gorgeous day! The enthusiasm of the runners was admirable and watching every ones pre-run rituals was an experience. The race draws over 20K participants and 100K spectators.

This was our daughter's first 15K and she was super excited! She has been training for this for awhile and could not wait to start running. My cousin, his son and fiancee and a two of his friends also participated in the race.
Road King and I took pics and cheered the runners on!

Our amazing daughter completed the race in 1:37:13 seconds, this was her official chip time. She ran 10:28 minute miles! WOW! She is my hero! When we saw her at the finish line, she had a smile from ear to ear. She loved every minute of it. In fact, she said "This was the best experience of my life." ... and so began discussions on running a half marathon next!
Her father and I could not be more proud of her. She set a goal, she trained, she was focused and she did it! Congratulations!! You are AWESOME! We love you.

"We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort."
--Jesse Owens

Love & Peace,
Kim

8 Things...I love about Drum Circles

2010-03-12T15:27:00.003-05:00

8 Things was started by Magpie Girl as a way to balance her passion and creative days with those that are not. It is a way to keep quotes, ideas, thoughts and quandaries collected for further exploration.

Here are my 8 Things I love about Drum Circles:

1. The people, so open and friendly, everyone is welcome

2. The positive energy and the feeling of joy

3. The music, the instruments, feeling the rhythm

4. The relaxed, fun atmosphere and being with friends

5. Djembes and Tibetan Crystal Bowls

6. You don't have to be a professional musician to participate

7. Learning to play new percussion instruments

8. Fire twirler and belly dancer

If you have never been to one, I highly recommend it. Good for the soul. When I leave the drum circle I feel so joyful and energized.

Love & Peace,

Kim

When you give yourself away

2010-03-10T22:48:00.007-05:00

Today I got an email from an inspiring friend that totally made my night. He shared with me the lyrics to Gary Allan's song "When you give yourself away." He said the lyrics made him think about how many different ways we "give" pieces of ourselves to others. I loved that he said in his note that I was "one of the few people that would get it, sharing your energy and spirit with the world." This just made me smile from ear to ear. Not because he paid me an amazing complement, who wouldn't want to hear that they are sharing their energy and spirit with the world, I mean that is an amazing thing to hear! What really got me... is that HE GETS ME! & and I love him for that! He knows me, sometimes I feel that there are people in my life that don't really get me. He knew that I would get the lyrics to this song and he knew that I would love his SMILING exercise that he did today, giving a little piece of himself to others. My beautiful friend consciously made a decision today to see how many people he could make smile by simply smiling first, not a single word was spoken. He lost count at 30! 30+ random people he walked by, made eye contact with and smiled and got a smile right back! As my friend so perfectly put in his email... "What a beautiful day!"

Get out there and SMILE, make some one's day and your day beautiful!

Thank you my friend for being such an inspiration. xoxo

Filled with Gratitude

2010-03-08T20:09:00.020-05:00

Wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving. -Kahlil Gibran

As I began reflecting on the activities of last week, especially the weekend, I think about the fun things we did, but mostly I think about all the wonderful people in our lives. Some new, some renewed and some we've known forever. I am so thankful for the warmth, the smiles, the laughter, the kindness, the generiosity, and the love that our amazing friends show us each and everyday. The positive energy has been in abundance
and I'm filled with gratitude.
Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Others stay awhile, make footprints on our hearts
and we are never, ever the same.I recently saw this quote on a friend's blog, I love it!
Thank you ALL for surrounding us with your love.
P.S. this is a sampling of wonderful people that have blessed us in so many ways, there are many more not pictured.
I might have to do a part II.
I am filled with gratitude for the abundance in our lives.

Life is partly what we make it, and partly what it is made by the friends we choose.-Tennessee Williams

Love & Peace,
Kim

Yes a 12:01 AM movie, on a Thursday!

2010-03-06T09:04:00.009-05:00

First, an update about going to a 12:01 AM movie.. I did it, I stayed awake and I was even able to get up in the morning and at work on time, but by the afternoon, I REALLY wanted to take a nap! I never did, really couldn't during a work day, but I really wanted to. I pushed through and got my second wind about 7:30 PM Friday night.

About the movie, visually, it was wonderful! Sadly I'm not sure about Depp's character, the Mad Hatter? I Did not fall in love with him like I thought I would. I enjoyed the movie overall... and I didn't fall asleep, all good things. I may have to see again to see if I missed anything.

Friday night, I went to a 40th birthday dinner at Bahama Breeze with a group of women I worked with at AT&T over 7 years ago, we still make it a point to get together every few months. Last night we celebrated a 40th birthday! Such a wonderful and fun group of women.

Have a wonderful day!

Love & Peace,
Kim

Feel Like A Kid Again

2010-03-04T10:03:00.009-05:00

Picture credit: Fandango.com
Tonight Mr. Road King, my hippy girl, a good friend and I are going to see Alice in Wonderland 3D at 12:01 AM! Midnight movies were popular when I was a teenager but I was never allowed to go. Then when I got a little older I just didn't go. Mind you, I had my son by the age of 21, midnight movies and babies don't mix. So yes, I feel like a kid again, going to a midnight movie on a "school" night no less! Can't wait to get some "dank" candy, have some popcorn and stay up late with my peeps. (the word "Dank" was introduced into our vocabulary by hippy girl and is often used by Mr. Road King) According to the Urban Dictionary, Dank is an expression frequently used by stoners and hippies for something of high quality. Now it is interchangeable with the word "awesome".

Picture credit: Showstalker.com

Hope everyone is having a dank day!

Love & Peace,
Kim

10 things that make me terribly happy!

2010-03-01T13:24:00.010-05:00

Hello,

I haven't posted my 10 things lately, so today seems like a great day to do so. Especially after the fun weekend that I had.

Here goes; 10 things that makes me terribly happy.

1. Going to Scruffy Murphy's on Friday night after work to have a few drinks with friends. It's about the friends not the place.

2. Eating at Hollerbach's Willow Tree Cafe for a Birthday celebration with friends, yummy food and a boot full of beer.

3. Knowing that my husband was having a good time, despite the bad weather in Daytona at Bike Week on Saturday with his brother and friend.

4. Also knowing that our daughter was having a great time with her friends in Tallahassee.

5. Doing a little shopping at Best Buy, upgraded from Vista to Windows 7. Yeah! laptop seems to be running better now... this makes me very happy!

6. Being surprised by my husband buying me flowers at the farmer's market Sunday morning.

7. Spending the day with my husband on Sunday going to Daytona for Bike Week and having beautiful weather. (Chilly but sunny!)

8. My new straw cowboy hat and my new Harley Davidson Boots that my husband bought me and being completely spoiled by him!

9. Finishing out the weekend with two friends I adore feeling the music and wonderful energy at a drum circle.

10. Ending the day with my daughter reading me the forward to her book she is writing. How exciting! And Getting an e-mail from our son, his deployment will be over soon, can't wait to see him.

"Believe that life is worth living, and your belief will help create the fact"- William James

Love & Peace,
Kim

Update to my previous post

2010-02-27T15:07:00.004-05:00

Update from my previous post today... I'm sad to say that my favorite jewelery store closed. Kismet. It was and art and jewelery shop. After I saw that, I didn't even attempt to look for a ring today. Back to online shopping, Etsy, I wasn't gone for long. Instead I bought a new outfit to wear out tonight when I meet up with friends and went to Best Buy to get the Windows 7 upgrade for my laptop. I am trying to hold out on this laptop until I buy a Macbook and I do not like Vista! I hope this works and fixes the problems I've been having. Hope everyone is having a great Saturday.

Love & Peace,
Kim

Travel Trip to Everyday Bliss

2010-02-27T10:52:00.005-05:00

Still reading, still loving the book "Creative Awakening" by Shari Gaynor. When I read something like how to incorporate "Everyday Bliss" into my life, I get so rejuvenated! Excited.. wow'd, but...reading about it and putting it into action are two different things. I mean who wouldn't want "Everyday Bliss" in their lives. Everyone is talking about it, "Bliss" almost seems to be an overused word these days. Everyone is doing it, right? I mean putting bliss into their lives. How happy everyone must be? Well, I don't think it is that easy all the time. We are so busy taking care of our families, our careers, others that just managing daily routines seems like all we can handle and to stop to add that personal bliss each day can seem like a task. So it is just about making it a habit and not a task so that it comes naturally. In reality, I (we) probably do put "everyday bliss" into our lives maybe not daily, but maybe? Maybe I'm not recognizing it and it is already a habit? What I do recognize is that when I first started on my journey to get back to me, I consciously did things that I hadn't done in awhile and I tried new things. Now that I am back in a balancing act of work, family, social life, I haven't quiet found my rhythm yet. My goal these days is making sure my new job is going well and everything falls around it haphazardly almost. I want to make sure I don't lose my "everyday bliss" in my daily routine. This is a good reminder for me.

A travel tip for creative awakenings that I thought you might enjoy. (I am condensing it a bit, you might want to check out the book for complete details)

Everyday Bliss is about process, not product, or outcome. Think about things you love or used to love to do that maybe you don't do anymore. Try something completely different for you to help you revitalize your soul. "The only rule is that it must be completely enjoyable."

"Each day take 20 minutes for yourself, do something that brings you joy and renews your spirit. Mix it up." Try everyday bliss at different times of the day, see what works best for you.

Here are some examples of everyday bliss actions: spontaneous painting or drawing at the beginning of your day, a quick poem, a 15 minute work out or meditation, or dancing. One of the author's favorite action is a "daydream meditation" where you let your dreams flow onto your paper, using your non-dominant hand.

Here is the challenge. Put yourself first for the next 30 days. Put yourself at the front of the line. It will take 30 days to create a new habit of self-care, to bring a sense of balance and renewal to our lives. Can we do it? Remember this is to promote self care, its not meant to have us abandon those we love & care about. (unfortunately, I've seen this happen with the definition of "bliss" attached) This is a way to consciously remember to take care of ourselves, to promote self care. In order to take care of others, we must take care of ourselves first!

I would love to hear some of your ideas on how you incorporated "everyday bliss" into your daily routine. Today I am going to look for a ring, yep I would like a new ring. Nothing expensive just something fun. I don't often to shop for just myself or by myself. When I do, I usually don't go anywhere, I shop on via the internet. Today I'm venturing out by myself to see what I can find.

Love & Peace,
Kim

Meet Me in Margaritaville

2010-02-25T09:29:00.009-05:00

Good morning,
Tonight Mr. Road King, friends and I are going to see Jimmy Buffett in concert! I am so excited. I have never seen him in concert before. We've always enjoyed his music tho' we are not Parrot Heads...yet, but who knows, maybe after tonight we will be. It will be fun to be taken away by the music, on a little vacation, as his music always makes me feel like I'm in the Florida Keys or vacationing on some tropical island. Jimmy Buffett, take me away!

Picture credit: Boston.com

Hope everyone has a great Thursday!

Love & Peace,
Kim

You & Me by DMB

2010-02-23T16:24:00.007-05:00

I needed a little Dave Matthews Band today. I love this song, the music and the lyrics. It is off of their latest album “Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King." Makes me smile. :)

I am looking forward to our annual pilgrimage to see DMB in West Palm Beach in July. Tickets are on order! Yippie!

Enjoy.

Love & Peace,
Kim

Sunday Afternoon Drive

2010-02-22T12:20:00.010-05:00

Yesterday spur of the moment we decided to drive to Ponce Inlet, South Daytona Beach. I wanted to get out of the house and it was nice to just get away for a few hours. So Mr. Road King (yes, I gave you know who a "blogging nickname") and I, hopped in the Jeep at about 1:30 PM and headed north to Daytona which is about an hours drive from our home. We had a wonderful afternoon. The weather was perfect! It hit 70 yesterday and was beautiful. We walked around Ponce Inlet Lighthouse area and stopped along the road at an unmarked park (or fishing area) to see what we could find. Exploring and taking pictures... my kind of day. We saw the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, decided not to go up this time. We also walked around the boat dock, taking pictures of the Brown Pelicans lounging around. A Great Egret made himself right at home on a boat's deck, looking like he was ready to take a cruise. We stopped for lunch at Racing's North Turn Beach Bar & Grill. It was yummy... what I could taste anyway, this cold is a very good diet! Although, I wish I still didn't have this darn cold...I had to bring my Puffs box with me and my nose is very red. It was good to get away, relax and be outside. Fresh air and the sun feels so good.

Posted here are a few pictures I took, with one exception, Rich took the awesome picture of the Lighthouse with no people on top! (you can see this one on my website Save My Sunshine.) Hope you enjoy.

To see the rest of photos you can go to my website Save My Sunshine.

The pictures were taken with a Nikon D60 55:200mm lens.

Why intention and not a goal?

2010-02-20T20:41:00.004-05:00

I am reading a book called "Creative Awakenings - Envisioning The Life of your Dreams through Art" by Sheri Gaynor. I'm only on the first chapter and I love this book! Working in a corporate world for most of my adult life, we are taught that we have to have a goal or we have to meet a goal..goal, goal, goal! In this book right in the beginning page 18 in the chapter "The Envision Process- Creating a Vision of Possibility" the author talks about the difference between a goal and intention and while goals are important like to reach a deadline or when writing business proposals, they are linear and limit us from seeing the possibilities leading up to accomplishing the goal. The aim puts us on a path that keeps us from giving ourselves permission to dream or see new possibilities for our lives. In other words, we become so focused on the goal, we don't let anything take us off that path, even if it is for the best.

Creating intention on the other hand, is about creating a vision of possibility. "Intention is the union of aspiration, intuition, vision, personal action, synchronicity, and sprinkling of alchemy. Intention invites you to take on the explansive view- broad, receptive and wide-sweeping." The author goes on to say that the difference between a goal and intention is "Intuition". When completing a goal, we usually have a defined list of steps to help us achieve the goal, get to the end result. This can cause us not to pay attention to our inner wisdom or intuition. However, when we create intention, we have a "desired result in mind." So instead of relying on a step by step list, we rely on our inner wisdom to guide us. When do this we can see the end result but we can also see the full view. When we see the full view it allows us to be open for change, new possibilities, new ideas, and synchronicity that may not have been part of the original view. In the end we might discover where we thought we were headed isn't exactly where we landed. But what is great about this is that when we look at where we ended up, it has some of the original plans and some new and unexpected pieces as well because we allowed ourselves to take in the full view of possibilities.

I thought this was such a wonderful explanation on the difference between goals and intention and why we should focus on intention when creating a vision of possibilities. It is so important that we don't lose sight of who we are and that we pay attention to our intuition. To listen to our inner wisdom and let it guide us on our journey. At age 41, I look back on my wonderful life, I know I listened to my inner wisdom often. I also know when I look back at the times when I wasn't as happy (like in a particular job), I pushed it for a goal, not paying attention to who I was and getting lost in ambition, even pride- to achieve a goal, but finding myself not happy in the end because I wasn't true to myself. This is a great reminder to me to make sure I continue to pay attention to my intuition- my inner wisdom and create intention so I can see the full panorama and not miss out on the possibilities that our wonderful world has to offer.

"Dreams are like the paints of a great artist. The dreams are your paints the world is your canvas. Believing is the brush that converts your dreams into a masterpiece of reality. - Unknown

With Love & Peace,

Kim

Happy Award, thank you!

2010-02-20T00:38:00.007-05:00

Thank you Bethany for awarding my blog with the "Happy Award."
You are too sweet! I love thinking about what makes me happy, just making the list about it, makes me happy. It was so hard to pair it down to ten things, I could go on and on. Again, thank you Bethany for the award. Check out Bethany's site and her beautiful family HERE.

Here are Ten things that make me happy!

1. My Tribe = My Family and Friends, unconditional love and support they provide.

2. Bebe and Blue, my dogs...really part of my tribe. Love them!

3. Photography -taking lots of pictures, photo editing and digi scrapbooking makes me happy.

4. Hanging out with friends that make me smile and laugh & that I can make smile and laugh. (you know who you are!)

5. Traveling & Exploring

6. The sound of the waves at the ocean.

7. Working on my blog and reading all the wonderful blogs I follow. You all inspire me and make me happy.

8. Hugs

9. Music, all kinds

10. Drum Circles

I will send on the award tomorrow, need to get some rest.

Love & Peace,
Kim

Girls Giggle

2010-02-19T00:30:00.003-05:00

Unfortunately I cannot seem to shake this cold for good. Ugh! I have a sniffly nose and congestion. No fun! So tonight it is lots of vitamin C and Zinc. It is the oddest thing, my cold started almost four weeks ago, it's been 5 days on, 3 days off.. and so on. Anyway... that's not what I am here to talk about.

I wanted to share with you some fun I had taking a few pictures of my daughter and her girlfriends. Tonight they went out for sushi and then came back to the house to hang out. I love that! I love having a house-full of teenagers. I'm glad they came by. They have a busy weekend planned, tonight was sushi, tomorrow night is a concert, and Saturday is celebrating a friends 18th birthday. In between time, our daughter is working. Yes, she got a job! Working at Planet Smoothie. She is learning how to balance school, social activities and now work. We are entering into a very busy time of the year, we need to hold on tight, take our vitamin C and zinc, and celebrate when we can keep it together, at least some of the time.

Love these pictures of the girls, they are so much fun! There is nothing like hearing girls laugh and giggle... at any age.

Love & Peace,

Kim

Focusing on what's important

2010-02-16T20:07:00.006-05:00

Monday is almost over, then it's Tuesday, Wednesday...and you know the drill. As I have written before, I started a new job a few weeks back. The first two weeks I was in Kansas City, training with the people I'll be working with, then last week was my first week on my own at home. Now I am into my second week and today was a rough day. I know that I can be a perfectionist, so It is hard for me not to know everything now and be able to have all the answers NOW. I'm trying to be very patient, but when it comes to servicing my clients I want to know everything there is to know and have all supporting information readily available. I'm not there yet, the team is not there yet. I am trying not to let it get me down, I know we will get there. I will get there.... just trying to be patient and hope my clients can be too. The good news is I am more calm, more at peace with myself this go around. I'm not as hard on myself as I used to be, this past year of discovery has shown me (reminded me) that there are more important things in life than a job. (I tend to throw myself at whatever I'm doing the most... pride in my work and my reputation are huge factors!) But I'm learning that I don't need to take everything personally and I don't need to worry so much. So there's progress! Wish me luck with my learning and patience, tomorrow is Tuesday... and I'll keep reminding myself it will be day 2 in week 2.

This is just a quick snapshot of what happens to be on my refrigerator right now. My husband, my children, my family, my friends, my animals, music, art, laughing, and being around those I love... that is what is important! All this other stuff... it can wait.

This picture is of me and my good friend Carl. This picture was taken a couple weeks ago while at a drum circle. We were enjoying the music, the company, the amazing energy, laughing and having a wonderful time. I love this picture of the two of us. That is what life is all about. Love & Laughter.

Love & Peace,

Kim

Happy Valentine's Day

2010-02-14T15:17:00.004-05:00

Rich and I were engaged Valentine's Day 1987. The first best day of my life. I say the first, well because of that day, because I said yes, I have had the best life I could have imagined. And so many "best days" have followed. Sure there are some "interesting" days... some "challenging" times, but without those times life might be pretty boring. A little spice doesn't hurt anyone if you know how to handle it. Right? As I said there were so many "best days" that came after that Valentine's Day in 1987. The day we got married, September 12th, 1987, the day our son was born, March 9th, 1989, and the birth of our daughter in 1992. And everyday in between! All best days! I married my best friend and he loves me just the way I am. We have so much fun together. Happy Valentine's Day.

"If I could reach up and hold a star for every time you've made me smile, the entire evening sky would be in the palm of my hand." - Unknown

Bekah took this picture of us today when were were out for lunch.

My Tribe Page

2010-02-13T20:22:00.002-05:00

I am working on "MY Tribe" page on my site. The page is going to be dedicated to my wonderful family and friends, my tribe. I am still working on what that means, a photo gallery of family & friends, highlights of family events, or a combo platter of stuff. Just not sure yet. I blog a lot about my family, they are the most important people in my life. So, I am not sure how I do this and not make it a duplicate of my blog itself. We'll see. As I said the site is a work in progress!

Today is my father-in-law's 81st birthday! I had the awesome privilege of hanging out with the guys this morning during their weekly walk through the Renninger's Flea Market, breakfast and lunch outing. Today they mixed things up a bit with a trip to a sports bar instead of their favorite BBQ spot Sugar Boos. Thought this would be a great way to kick off "My Tribe" page.

Love & Peace,

Kim

Blogher NYC... here I come!

2010-02-13T00:14:00.007-05:00

Rich encouraging Bekah before her 5K
in the hills of Asheville, NC. Summer of 2009.

I'm registered! I registered for the Blogher conference in NYC in August! Whoo Hoo! I don't have a flight yet or hotel room, but I am all signed up for the conference. I am so excited. So... who's going?

I haven't been blogging as much since I started working again. When my sweet, caring, loving and very supportive husband came home from work today he told me that he had read my blog today and noticed that I haven't been writing as much since I started back to work. He was so incredibly loving, he wanted to encourage me to keep writing, to keep up with my creative passion. He said, the last year has been so wonderful with me getting back to my creative side that he didn't want to see me go back to work, work, work habit and lose what I had regained this past year.
Isn't he the most amazing man!

Love & Peace,
Kim

I believe in you...

2010-02-12T23:52:00.007-05:00

Zack & Bekah Christmas in Savannah 2007, the year Zack graduated from high school

"If someone believes in you,
and you believe in your dreams,
it can happen."
Tiffany Lauren Rowe

I'm thinking about my wonderful children tonight. One already out into the world, on his 100 consecutive day at sea. Working for us, protecting our freedoms and standing guard to defend them. I could not be more proud of my son and the path he has chosen to take. He will be 21 in a little less than a month, I can't believe how fast he has grown up. Our daughter is on her way... she told me yesterday she has about 55 days left of school. That time is going to fly by, in about 4 short months she will turn 18, then it is graduation. She will have the summer to prepare to move four hours away to Tallahassee, Fl., enroll in school, and find a part time job. As a parent, it is our most important job, raising our children so they are prepared for adulthood, to be out on their own and thrive! I feel honored and privileged to have this opportunity. Thank you Zack and Bekah for being you. I love you.

"The future is sending back good wishes and waiting with open arms." - Kobi Yamada

Explore 2010... so far so good!

2010-02-08T09:36:00.006-05:00

If you read my previous posts you know that the word I chose to live by for 2010 is EXPLORE. I am happy to say, so far so good… I know it is only February, but I am feeling pretty good about it. In January, I started working on my site Save My Sunshine, I got new job, flew to Kansas City, tried Octopus Sashimi and liked it, tried unfiltered sake (and really liked it!), I also went to a Korean BBQ Restaurant and tried all sorts of new food! I spent time with two friends on two separate occasions that I had not spent time with in over 20 years and went to a full moon drum circle, learned to play the crystal singing bowls and met wonderful new people with such good energy. I have also reconnected with friends and made new friends that I have so much in common with, it is wonderful, a feeling of love and peace for just being myself. Oh and I started the 365 project – a photo a day, over at Shutter Sisters, http://shuttersisters.com/. I am pleased with my year so far.

February is turning out to be just as good! I hope everyone is having a wonderful start to the new year.

Love & Peace,
Kim

A New Job

2010-02-04T00:22:00.007-05:00

As I introduced a couple weeks ago, I got a new job. So far so good. The corporate office is in Overland Park, Kansas City. A beautiful part of Kansas. I'm not moving though... I will be working virtual from Florida. The people are awesome, so helpful... really have welcomed me with open arms. The company is called CXO Global Solutions. Here are a couple pictures I took of these wonderful statues carved out of trees... I am hopeful it was a way to recycle a tree. Also are pictures of the frozen lake behind the office. Being a Florida girl, a frozen lake was something new to see! Beautiful! I was in Kansas City last week, home for the weekend and back up here this week.
Ready to go home now though...I'm missing my tribe!

Life's Gifts

2010-01-30T12:17:00.009-05:00

I am so full of energy, it is an amazing feeling right now. The last couple of weeks, I have been struggling with a cold but who has time for that, you know? As you can see, I’m still working on my site. I’ve been behind on a few things, hopefully I’ll catch up this weekend. The week before last, I had a wonderful visit with a friend whom I had not seen since high school, we’ll call him Dr. S. We had a fun time in Tampa, where he lives… good food & drink and great conversations. I took some neat shots of Tampa University, where he is a professor, as well as Ybor City. I will be posting those shots soon here and on the website Save My Sunshine if I can figure out how to make individual galleries.

Last weekend was a little rough due to my cold really kicking in, Dr. S. came to Orlando to have some fun and to meet up with some other high school buddies. We met up for lunch and then for drinks later that same night. Sunday was spent trying to rest up and get over my illness before I started my new job on Monday! Yay.. a new job!

Monday I was off to Kansas City. By Tuesday night, my brain hurt and I was exhausted. It is hard putting in a full days work. But at the same time I was and still am so energized by the people I met, the strengthening of relationships and connections with others, and the work I’ll be doing.

I really fell behind in my writing and photography last week. I think I am a week behind in the 365 Project – Photo a day! Yikes. I took some pictures last week, but not enough. I’ll do better next week. I’m going to need to re-learn how to balance my creative projects with my work load. I tend to go full steam ahead on whatever I am working on, so I will need to make balancing a priority.

So.. last week was also full of wonderful gifts from amazing women. First and foremost, I have to mention Amelia Maness-Gilliland over at Mom’s Daily Retreat – Notes from the Edge. She is such an inspiration to me, she is an amazing woman, with a big heart, who manages to find time to take care of her beautiful family, manage her amazing careers, learn and reinvest in herself and still have time to spread kindness to so many. Amelia, thank you for taking the time to check in and always lifting me up.

Thank you to Karen at Journey to Spirit Through Art and Creativity for checking in on my blog and taking the time to comment! That means so much. Your blog postings are so honest, candid and evoke such emotion. Thank you for sharing your journey through your blog with me.

Aren’t surprises in the mail the best! I was filled with joy to receive beautiful handmade flower magnets from Lily in the mail last week. I opened the package and did a happy dance! Thank you Lily for sending such joy! You can check out Lily’s website here.

Also in the mail… (it was a GOOD mail week!) I received Dreamsetting Kits I had ordered from Amelia Critchlow over at www.ameliacritchlow.co.uk. Check out her blog here. I ordered one for my daughter and one for myself, they are so sweet and lovely, I can’t wait to start working on them. Amelia calls them a ”mini-book of dreams and goals to be carried around in your bag or wallet for daily reminders of your aspirations and dreams.” Isn’t that awesome! I encourage you to check out Amelia’s art and blog she is such a talented artist.

I would be remise if I didn’t mention Susannah Conway, she is the reason I was able to meet these wonderful women. It was through her e-course Unravelling that we all became connected. Thank you Susannah for bringing these wonderful women into my life.

I value the relationships I have in my life, both with men and women. They are the most precious gifts of all. I learn something everyday from the people I surround myself with and I am so grateful and honored to have that opportunity. The more we allow ourselves to open up to others, the greater connections we will make, there is nothing that can replace an intimate feeling with another person, to be able to open up and not be hindered by fear or self-consciousness, open our minds to new possibilities… can you imagine the power and freedom that can bring? There are no jobs or material things that can replace a positive human connection.

If you were going to die soon and had only one phone call you could make, who would you call and what would you say? And why are you waiting? ~Stephen Levine

So much going on....

2010-01-24T11:42:00.003-05:00

... and I am sick! Caught a cold and I am trying to overcome. I will be posting soon. For now I will give you a quick run down:

1. Got hired
2. Met up with a good friend from High School in Tampa
3. Had fun taking pictures in Tampa (picture above is of a display window in Ybor City)
3. Going to Kanas City on Monday

So more to come when I am feeling better! Talk to you soon.

Love & Peace,
Kim

Exciting News... I think!

2010-01-20T00:11:00.002-05:00

I'm launching my own website... soon. You can check it out the progress here. I've been working on it over the last couple days and I think it is coming along nicely. My goal is to eventually have a web-store and offer some creative goodness. Wish me luck!

Love & Peace,
Kim

Believe

2010-01-18T01:18:00.011-05:00

Believe in your dreams.
Believe in today.
Believe that you are loved.
Believe that you make a difference.
Believe we can build a better world.
Believe when others might not.
Believe there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Believe that you may be that light
for someone else.
Believe that the best is yet to be.
Believe in yourself.
I believe in you.

- Kobi Yamada

I took these pictures Sunday morning at our local diner while we were eating breakfast. The lighting in the diner was wonderful as we were right by a window and it made for some good exposure effects. I used various preset actions in Lightroom to get additional effects. (& although everyone at the table was not in the mood for being the subject of "A photo a day" project... I am happy with the way they turned out.

Intimacy

2010-01-17T16:01:00.004-05:00

356 Photo a day project: My love and I

Live Out Loud

2010-01-16T17:02:00.007-05:00

Hippy Chick

Template by House of 3,Texture by SkeletalMess - Festival Glow

Had a mini-photo shoot with Bekah yesterday. I am so glad she lets me practice my photography on her! She is so much fun. I had her jumping and jumping.. (and this was right before she went to the gym). I think this is one of my favorite photo sets of her.
I hope everyone is having a great Saturday.

Love & Peace,
Kim

A Camellia

2010-01-15T10:56:00.007-05:00

...blooms in the winter! What a lovely surprise to find this beautiful camellia tree on my walk last night. I didn't even hesitate, I walked right up to it in someones side yard and started snapping away. (It was really between an empty lot and a house for sale, I think it was empty) I'm in love with these flowers, I think they look so vintage and feminine. A beautiful find.

I used the aged canvas texture #5 provided Sketalmess HERE and a mask AASPN FotoBlenzCM11-2

Things I Love Thursday!

2010-01-14T22:39:00.011-05:00

I really need to remember this topic! I am terrible at consistency... Things I Love Thursday... Things I Love Thursday...Things I Love Thursday, how many times do you have to repeat something to have it memorized?

First I want to say my thoughts and prayers are with all the people in Haiti; what a terrible catastrophic event to happen to a country already struggling so much. Also please keep all the volunteers for the relief efforts in your prayers, that they will have safe journeys. Please see my previous post from today on places to donate, it's as easy as a text message.

All the more reason to remember the things we love, put things into perspective, lighten the heavy heart that we are all feeling right now. So, with that said...

Here are my Things I love {Thursday}:

1. I love that I can turn on a TV, Radio, my iPhone, do a Internet search and I have information at my fingertips. I know what is happening locally and around the world. I am so grateful for instant communication.

2. I love to eat animal crackers with Publix icing. I love that friends gave this to me as a gift!

3. I love when my dogs snuggle with me after Rich leaves for work.

4. I love fresh cut flowers.

5. I love the new crocheted vests and layered looks that are in fashion right now.

6. I love going to new places. New resturants, new vacation spots, new parks... just new and different.

7. I love my red sofa.

8. I love that when I am home first, my husband always gives me a hug and a kiss when he walks in the door. I especially love it when he is still wearing his motorcycle jacket, dark glasses and gloves! Yummy :)

9. I love that I am fortunate to have a roof over my head, a comfortable place to sleep, food to eat and clean water to drink.

10. I love my children with all of my heart and everything I am, unconditionally.

I took all the pictures on this post this evening while on a walk.
P.S. I love photography... just in case you didn't know.

Love & Peace,
Kim

What can we do to help?

2010-01-14T10:25:00.013-05:00

In the wake of the catastrophe earthquake in Haiti I want to send you over to my friend's blog Phydeaux Designs. She has outlined some great ways to help our friends in Haiti. Please keep Haiti in your thoughts and prayers and donate if you are able. Thank you.

Also, here are additional ways you can help: Through Mobile Giving you can text to donate and the charge will appear on your wireless bill.

The following organizations are accepting SMS donations in the US only:

SMS text “HAITI” to 90999 to donate $10
to Red Cross relief efforts

SMS text "YELE" to 501501 to Donate $5
to Yele Haiti’s Earthquake Relief efforts

SMS text "DISASTER" to 90999 to give $10
to Compassion International

Compasson International sponsor children and families and have people on the ground providing care and shelter for orphans.

I missed a few: Go HERE for more mobile donation information.

Also accepting cash and in-kind donations are the following sites:
UNICEF (1-800-4UNICEF), Direct Relief, Yele Haiti, Partners in Health, Red Cross, World Food Program, Mercy Corps (1-888-256-1900), Save the Children, Lambi Fund, Doctors Without Borders, The International Rescue Committee, Care and Compassion International. This is not a complete list but will get you started. There are many wonderful organizations who are helping and raising monies to help.

To check out more information about Mobile Giving, go to the Mobile Giving Foundation website found HERE.

Please pray for the people of Haiti, they need our help.

Love & Peace,
Kim

She believed she could, so she did!

2010-01-13T10:17:00.010-05:00

This past weekend was absolutely wonderful. A very good friend of mine competed in the Walt Disney Marathon on Sunday. Wow.. wow.. wow.. she is amazing! She makes it look so easy and I know it is NOT! She is an amazing woman. Strong and gentle, such a kind heart. It was the coldest day of the year in Florida and we are having record breaking lows. It was about 27 degrees outside when she started the race. She did not complain or say one negative thing all weekend. Not about the weather, the time, nothing... all smiles, as always! She is such a beautiful amazing woman. Our group consisted of five supporters and two runners. Some of us stayed out at Disney the night before the race to minimize the driving time since the race started at 5:30 AM. We had a wonderful dinner together, then it was an early lights out. My roomie and I laughed until 1:00 AM... made for a fun night but we were a little tired the next day! Sunday the runners took off to the starting line up and we (the cheer squad) attempted to meet them at the 9 mile marker. Well... that didn't go exactly as planned. We failed miserably.
I won't go into all the silly details, but let's just say we did some turning around (directions provided by hotel, but we won't blame), we did some sprinting and waiting. Transportation was a little funky as we had to be blocked off from the runners. Needless to say, we missed our checkpoint at the 9 mile marker. I think it was harder keeping the cheer squad in line and on time than running the race. Maybe not.
We then raced over to the 12.5 mile marker viewing area. It consisted of a walk from Magic Kingdom Ticket and Transportation Center to the Polynesian Resort, then we continued on to the far side of the resort to find the runner's path. There we were able to see our runners and give them there much needed protein shakes and cheers! They were doing awesome!
Then we walked back to the Magic Kingdom TTC (Ticket and Transportation Center) and then to the car (because we forgot something) then back to the TTC. From there we rode the monorail over to Epcot were we walked to the far end of the parking lot to cheer on the runners approaching the finish line.
Watching all those people (over 20,000!) come in.. it was amazing. What motivation and determination each person has to train and compete in a marathon. 26.2 miles! WOW! I have so much respect for each of them for waking up, showing up and making it happen. My friend is amazing... I know she has been training for awhile for this race and she had a smile on her face when it started and she was smiling when it ended. I know it wasn't easy in the middle.. but she did it!! I have so much admiration for her and her strength and determination. Both runners did awesome, I am so proud of them and proud to call them my friends!
You inspire me.

She believed she could, so she did.

Love & Peace,
Kim

Our Gratitude Photos

2010-01-11T22:03:00.013-05:00

We went to my Mother's house last night to wish her a Happy Birthday. It was her 71st birthday. We celebrated by making "Thank You" signs for the Gratitude Project as mentioned in the last post. Here are our "Thank you" photos we sent in for the Gratitude Project to Thankyou@thankasolider.net. We had fun taking the photos, eating cake and ice cream and wishing mom a very happy birthday!

Pictured from left to right: Bill: Stepfather, Bekah, Earl:Rich's Father, The Birthday Girl: My Mom, in the far back, Rich and on the right second row: Judy, Rich's mother.

Bekah & I, saying "Thank you" to all the service men and women

Thank a Marine, Sailor, a Solider

2010-01-08T02:23:00.004-05:00

{006 & 007/365} Photo a day

2010-01-08T00:59:00.002-05:00

{006/365} Spirit Mittens
Love these red mittens made by my cousin's awesome wife, Deanna. She made them in Bekah's school color so they match her cheerleading uniform and warm ups perfectly!

{007/365} Lake Ivanhoe
I took this picture during my walk last night. The relections in the lake were beautiful as the sun was setting.

Did I expect too much?

2010-01-07T10:06:00.029-05:00

Picture was taken while at a family reunion.
Lake Junaluska, NC July 2009

I've been pondering how I've been spending my time lately. As some of you know I got laid off from my job in April of 2009. I feel like all the productive, fun and adventurous things I planned to do before going back to work is slowly slipping away. I just wonder if I could have gotten more done. I'm not sure if I'm being too hard on myself... or maybe not hard enough? Being this is the first time in my adult life I have had this much time off, I expected great things. You know, my house completely organized and always clean, an amazing dinner every night of the week, all my started projects completed, volunteer, and oh.. I would get totally fit, in shape and look amazing. Well.. time is running out and I don't feel like I've accomplished that much. I'm certainly not fit, in shape, thus in my eyes don't look amazing, haven't completed all my projects, my house is partly organized, the house stays somewhat clean (not spotless), dinner well, let's just say some weeks are better than others. I did however have a perfect summer with my daughter and took a couple mini-vacations with friends and family. I also took time for me by enrolling in an online course, keeping up with my blog and working on my photography, all good things. Plus my Christmas was amazing, I have never baked so much in my entire life! I had a wonderful time with my husband and daughter, it was great having the time. But I just can't help but feel like I could have done more. I still have time, a week or so...then hopefully I'll be going back to work. I have loved being home, but the budget and my traveling gene doesn't like it as much!
I am wondering if I just expected too much. In all fairness to myself, I did do contract work from August to mid December, going into the office daily.
I am a bit disappointed in myself for not sticking to a better diet and exercise regime while I have had the time, I am working on that now. The other main projects that I need to complete is reorganizing the kitchen pantry and cabinets and reorganizing our bedroom. There is just too much unused stuff in the closet and way too many clothes and shoes I don't wear. Hopefully I will find the motivation to get those things done soon. My year is going to start getting busy and I need to make that "to do list" and get busy! Working full time for 23 years, I am not sure how I got half the stuff done I did. Wow! I guess maybe I do better under pressure and I do have an amazing partner that helps so so much. One thing is for certain, I am so much more relaxed, I'm happy and I am enjoying my time at home.

Happy Thursday... it's almost Friday!

Love & Peace,
Kim

Photo a Day: Staying Warm

2010-01-05T20:46:00.012-05:00

Orange Pea Coat.
I took these photos today of Bekah when she came home of school. Loved the colors she was wearing against our red sofa.

Boy is it cold this week! In the 30s and 40s, doesn't feel much like central Florida. Rumor has it we may even see snow flurries on Thursday or Friday...hmmm that will be interesting. I am enjoying the change though! Extra cuddling, comfy blankets, sweatshirts, hot cocoa and a new orange pea coat what's not to like. I even went on a walk tonight, admittedly, I almost didn't, then once outside I wasn't sure I was going to make it. But when I got moving, it was enjoyable and I was glad I stayed with it.

Here are two more photos of the day, #4 & #5.
My hot cocoa with lots and lots of marshmallows in it from last night (In my opinion you can never have too many marshmallows). Plus a series of pictures I took of Bekah in her new orange pea coat today when she got home from school. She wasn't much in the "modeling" mood today... but I took pictures of her anyway and of course I LOVE them. She is a beautiful subject, isn't she? I'm a little bias, I know. Plus the colors are just wonderful. I love the colors of the orange pea coat against our red sofa. Fun!

Keeping warm, one cup of cocoa at a time

School's out, at least for the day! 4.5 months to go of high school.

My Lovely Girl

Precious Moments

2010-01-03T23:06:00.013-05:00

{003/365} Photo Project

Use your precious moments to live life fully every single second of every single day. -Marcia Wieder

I used color burn Festive Glow and Aged Canvas Texture #7 by Skeletalmess at Shadowhouse Creations.

Picture details:
Nikon D60-f/1.8 - 1/60 sec. exposure time / ISO-200 / Max Aperture 1.6

Day 2 Yummy!

2010-01-03T13:30:00.019-05:00

Bekah and I had a wonderful Saturday afternoon, a girl's day.
We started our day at the Briar Patch in Winter Park, on Park Avenue.

YUMMY!

Then we went out to the Prime Outlets to get Bekah a new pair of Nike running shoes. She also wanted to spend the gift cards at Polo and Victoria Secret that she had burning in her pocket since Christmas. We found a perfect pair of running shoes at the Nike store, Polo shop... not so lucky. The gift card will be saved for another trip. As for Victoria Secret, what could go wrong really? $3.70 left on that card now!

We were shocked with how many people were shopping. It took us 20 minutes to find a parking spot and we could barely see the mall! It also took us some time to find the car when leaving... oops! People following us to snag our parking spot were not happy when we weaved in and out of the rows of cars looking for our car. Oh well! The perfect spot was waiting for them somewhere I'm sure of it!

I cherish the times that Bekah and I can spend together one on one catching up on things, discussing the future and just being girlie.

We later met up with Rich and went to Buca Di Beppo for dinner, hadn't been there in a very long time.(had a coupon!)You guessed it, it was YUMMY! (I'm going to have to get back to cooking soon.)

Rich and Bekah at Buca Di Beppo

Day 2 of the 365 Project is a picture of Bekah at the Briar Patch. (1st picture above on the post) Love the expression on her face... "Yummy?" ... "are you really taking another picture, mom?"... or maybe she is breaking into an advertisement of some sort! So cute!

Hope everyone is enjoying your Sunday. Go Steelers!

Peace & Love,
Kim

My word for 2010: EXPLORE

2010-01-02T09:16:00.008-05:00

Choosing a word. It was much more difficult that I thought. There are so many great ones. TRUTH * CREATE * BE * LIVE * All fabulous words. I read about choosing a word for 2010 from a couple different places. First over at Ali Edwards - One Little Word and then on a fellow Unraveller's blog, Lan, found here, and on Susannah Conway's blog. There are still so many more "words for 2010" posts to read.

So with help from these blogs and Christine Kane's Word-of-the-Year discovery tool. I have committed to a word for 2010.

I chose E X P L O R E.

Christine's discovery tool asks,
Why is this the perfect word for you this year?

EXPLORE is the perfect word for me this year as I started exploring last year, but I need more time. I want to explore me, explore my world around me. Stretch myself mentally and physically for a healthier mind and body. The word "EXPLORE" for me makes me want to move... expand and discover. It will push me to do something I've never done before continuing to unlock what is inside of me. Exploring in 2010 will help me with my journey to uncover my truth, live healthier spiritually and physically and push myself to do things I didn't think I could do.

Now that my word is in print, on paper so to speak - WOW! I'm excited and a little nervous too. I will need all the support I can get. So, I am putting it out there for the world to see.

Explore! My word for 2010.

Peace & Love,
Kim

Hello 2010

2010-01-01T23:55:00.012-05:00

This is the very first photo I took in 2010. Rich holding Bebe, our pug. Bebe actually fell asleep like this and was snoring when I took the picture. She was up past her bedtime ringing in the new year, so she was a little tired.
Hello, I hope everyone had a wonderful and safe New Year's Eve and day. For New Year's eve we went to dinner with another couple, then came back to our house for drinks and games. We played the Seinfeld Scene It game and although my husband is a huge Seinfeld fan, so was our friend and they beat us twice! Humbling way to ring in the new year but still lots of fun.

New Year's Day started out around 11:00 AM... yep, and I'm not the least bit ashamed by that! It was a good sleep. Much needed sleep. Rich and I got up and went to one of our favorite restaurants for breakfast, The White Wolf Cafe. Awesome way to start the new year. After breakfast (around 1:30 PM) we decided to go see Avatar. So we drove to the first theater of our choice to find out the 3D showing was already sold out, so we hopped back in the car and drove to the next theater on the list. We were there about hour early. Bought our tickets and walked around the shopping village and scored some twizzlers at the grocery store. We went into the theaters about thirty-five minutes early. So glad we did...it filled up fast. We both really enjoyed the movie, at no time did we ever feel like what we were seeing wasn't real, unbelievably great!

Later, we finished off the evening at our local Pizzeria Restaurant & Sports Bar, Alfonsos. It was a wonderful, relaxing, raining day together.

If you are wondering what Bekah was up to, well she was with her friends today watching the FSU game and then going out to dinner.

Today I excitedly started the Shutter Sister 365 photo project that my friend Amelia over at Mom's Daily Retreat told me about.
You can find the Flickr site HERE or check out other projects at Shutter Sisters.

Here is #1 of 365. It is Rich at the White Wolf Cafe this morning at breakfast.

Happy New Year! I'm looking forward to an exciting 2010, meeting new people, cultivating the friendships that I made in 2009 and expanding my creative passion.

I hope you spent the first day of the new year doing exactly what you wanted to do and that 2010 brings you all the blessings a new year can bring.

Peace & Love,
Kim

A Day at the Beach

2009-12-31T00:02:00.033-05:00

I woke up today (12/30/09) and decided that today was a beach day! It was a great decision. I had a wonderful afternoon at Daytona Beach. It has been awhile since I've been on Daytona Beach itself, we normally go to New Symrna or Cocoa Beach. We usually hit up Daytona for Bike week and Biketoberfest. But today, I chose Daytona. How lucky I am to even have that choice. I had a beautiful, peaceful, reflective day. The quotes below are from "do what you love." from Compendium Inc., Big Thoughts collection, pocket reminders. Here are my photos, I hope you enjoy them.

There are many wonderful things that will never be done if you do not do them.-Charles D. Gill

There are many things in life that will catch your eye, but only a few will catch your heart. Pursue these.-Michael Nolan

If it doesn't absorb you, if it isn't any fun, don't do it.-D.H.Lawrence

When you hold back on life, life holds back on you.-Mary Mannin Morrissey

Just don't give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don't think you can ever go wrong.-Ella Fitzgerald

In a very real sense, we are the authors of our own lives.
-Mandy Aftel

We cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are.-Max De Pree

We live only part of the life we were given.-Michael Murphy

I dream for a living.-Steven Spielberg

What will you do today that will matter tomorrow?-Ralph Marston

Today I live in the quiet, joyous expectation of good.-Ernest Holmen

Do what you love. Kim was here!

Where your pleasure is, there is your treasure; where your treasure, there is your heart; where your heart, there your happiness.-Augustine

At the end of our life our questions are simple: Did I live fully? Did I love well?-Jack Kornfield

Today is a beach day

2009-12-30T11:16:00.002-05:00

A beach day on December 30th... it's 64 degrees right now. I'm not going to hang out on the beach or swim, I am going to take pictures. Today I've decided to drive over to Daytona Beach to take pictures of the boardwalk and pier or anything else I find interesting. Hope everyone has a wonderful day. Check back for pictures later.

Peace & Love,
Kim

"8 Things" {Tuesday}

2009-12-29T01:19:00.016-05:00

Over at Magpie Girl's blog -
Rachelle Mee Chapman created "8 Things."
She calls it a little game she made up for herself
in an attempt to quite down her "monkey mind."
To read more, check out her "8 Things" blog HERE.
So here are my "8 things" I learned in 2009.
(Only 8 is going to be tough!)

1. Friends are people that can forget about themselves for a moment when you are in need, if only to ask... "How are you?" and then LISTEN. I married my best friend.

2. How to be a mother of a deployed Marine.
(I'm still learning)

3. Being laid off from a job that there was no passion for is still tough on the psyche and takes some recovery time.

4. I love photography, digi-scrapbooking, and blogging.

5. NYC is exhilarating with friends and for a girl's weekend with my daughter! Anytime really.

6. Unravelling... I needed it and then some.

7. There is peace in the simple things. Life is short.

8. Making new friends and reconnecting with old ones is energizing.

Bonus: Learning lots about having a senior in high school. prepping for college and preparing for an "empty nest."
This is a 2009-2010 (& beyond) "initiative".

Happy Tuesday.
Peace & Love,
Kim

Just couldn't resist...

2009-12-27T23:54:00.005-05:00

snapping a photo of Bebe eyeing Rich's ham sandwich!
Blue soon joined... & yes, Rich shared, although he might not admit it.

Peace & Love,
Kim

Black Point Wildlife Drive

2009-12-27T19:13:00.013-05:00

Yesterday afternoon we went on a photography field trip to the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. It is about 40 miles east of Orlando on the coast of Florida.
Six of us piled into our friend's HHR with our cameras at the ready.
It was a little cold for us Floridians who were in shorts and our Florida wildlife, it was in the 50s. However, I loved the cooler weather! We saw mostly birds, all kinds... Osprey, Wood Stork, Roseate Spoonbill, and White Ibis. We also saw ducks (not sure what kind) and one gator for half a minute... it was just too chilly for gators to be out and about.
We drove and walked through the wildlife refuge taking pictures. We only set the car alarm off once, yea.. we weren't so popular with the other photographers and birdwatchers when that happened. After we toured the refuge we drove over to Cocoa to have a wonderful dinner at Florida Seafood Bar and Grill.
Excellent Day!

I hope you enjoy the pictures.

Peace & Love,
Kim

Roseate Spoonbills, rare sighting in the Winter months

Roseate Spoonbills

50% Color Burn Translucent Tones #9/Shadowhouse Creations

White Ibis

Color Burn Creative Commons/Shadowhouse Creations

Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T23:24:00.013-05:00

Bekah Christmas morning 2009. She was trying on a new Steeler's hoodie and a vest.
I think she was still cold in our 75 degree weather.

Wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas Day! Rich, Bekah and I had a great morning. (Although we were missing Zack terribly. We were hoping we would get an email at least today, but we didn't. It has been about 2 months now since we have heard from him. It is very difficult not hearing anything...but we know he is safe and working hard)
In the afternoon, family came over and we enjoyed Christmas dinner together. We were so happy that Craig, Tiffany and Marc and Marc's girlfriend, Kayla joined us from Jacksonville today. As some of you may know, Craig's wife, Tiffany and Marc's (and Richard) mother, passed away on Easter Sunday in a boating accident. I can't truly fathom what they go through on a daily basis, let alone the holidays. We just want to be there for them whenever they need us, to listen, for a hug, to just tell them we love them. Their courage and strength is amazing, reminding us to live our lives to the fullest each and every day as there is no certainty in the future.
A reminder to me to continue to live my life on purpose every single day and to tell those I love... how much.
So with love, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and all the blessings the season brings.

Peace,
Kim

Enjoying the holiday

2009-12-22T19:25:00.010-05:00

...and taking time to spend with friends and family. Missing Zack a ton and hoping he is doing well, staying strong and positive. I can't imagine being more proud of him that I am right now.
Here at home we are having a wonderful time together, Rich, Bekah and I. We are reconnecting with old friends, spending time with friends and family, making cookies, shopping and just hanging out together. I am so grateful we have such a wonderful tribe of friends who have become part of our family.
To us, spending time with those we love is what the holidays are all about.

If you are wondering how a dinosaur became a symbol of Christmas, well... just flip a candy cane cookie over, ice it green and put a smile on it's face and there you go, a Christmas Dinosaur. (as pictured above)

Peace & Love,
Kim

Pictures only

2009-12-20T01:53:00.015-05:00

I had the Lightroom trial for 30 days and loved it, but when it expired, I didn't purchase it right away. I just got it back and I'm excited to start using it again. So tonight I'm just posting pictures that I edited using Lightroom. All of these pictures were taking in St. Augustine Florida.
(For larger view click picture)

Order Here
Short Cut
The Conversation

My man
What do you dream about?

Love the look

Conch House Marina

At my feet along the sidewalk

Intrigue

Celebrating our 23rd Christmas Together

2009-12-19T11:17:00.013-05:00

Taking a moment to reflect on 23 years of Christmases together. I remember opening our gifts at Rich's house, ordering Domino's Pizza for lunch and laying on the sofa listening to music. That was 1986. I bought Rich a yellow & black scarf (he was really into Stryper, the band) and the Better Off Dead Album. Yes, a record album soundtrack from the movie "Better off Dead". Yep, I had him hooked. Rich gave me a beautiful pair of pearl earrings. Unfortunately, he learned right away that I'm not very responsible with jewelery. (23 years later I still here him say.. "Honey, you left your rings on the ....") So the earrings I had to take off at work (I worked for Disney at the time) and put them in my smock pocket and lost one. I was heart broken, I still am.

There are so many wonderful memories. Our first Christmas in our own apartment, we made all of our own ornaments for our tree. Our first Christmas with Zack, then Bekah. Our first Christmas in our house, our first Christmas with Teddy, then Bebe and Blue...we have been very blessed throughout the years. I cherish the memories and I am excited about our future, there are more "firsts" to come.

Yesterday 23 years later, Rich and I spent the entire day alone in our kitchen baking cookies together. I have to say, we are really a good team. It was a fun day and we got so much done. Unfortunately we were so exhausted when we finished baking that the kitchen is still a mess... but that's okay, messes are good when they are a result of doing something fun, right? :)

I have a couple pictures of our baking extravaganza to add, but Rich went to meet up with is brother and father this morning and took the camera and memory card they are on... so stayed tuned!

Peace & Love,
Kim

I'm honored

2009-12-17T09:19:00.016-05:00

when my children bring friends over, especially for dinner. Last night we had a wonderful evening with Bekah and Daniel. It is a rare occurrance when we can sit with teenagers and their friends at a dinner table and just talk. It is a wonderful privledge. I love being around teenagers... two things will happen. 1) They won't talk much and you have to ask lots of questions until you see the spark of interest (then keep talking about that) or 2. They will talk and provide more information that imaginable. We had good conversation, a yummy meal, and even dessert. And an added bonus, I got to take pictures of them. Aren't they cute!
Thanks Bekah & Daniel for a wonderful evening.

Bekah and Daniel are both Seniors in High School.
Class of 2010 - Bekah is 17 and Daniel is 18.

Photo treatments by Lynn Grieveson; worn photo treatments

It just seems hotter...

2009-12-16T15:25:00.010-05:00

My poor husband, I don't know how many times I've asked him, isn't this Christmas (December) hotter than previous Decembers? Ugh! He patiently tells me "no, honey" it is about this way every year. Now I am a native Floridian, you would think I would know this. Deep down I do, I must right? Then all of a sudden I realized last year this time I spent the majority of my days in the snow and ice up in Louisville, KY and Jeffersonville, IN. It was the first time in my life (that I can actually remember) that I experienced the change of seasons. Beautiful! The winter can be dreary and beautiful at the same time, and boy does it have an impact on daily living. Being a Floridian, I was not used scraping ice off the windshield, waiting for the car to warm up before taking off and wearing socks for that matter! Sometimes I couldn't go anywhere and nothing was open. I would have starved to death if it hadn't been for a vending machine at a hotel I happen to be staying at during an ice storm. (maybe starving is pushing it... but I was hungry and I don't think Funyuns have any nutritional value)

So, no scarf, no gloves, and no wool coat this year. I'm back in the Florida sunshine and happy to be here with my family. I do wish it would get a little cold for Christmas week, that would be nice. Until that happens, maybe I will drive to the beach for a Christmas picnic.

This picture was taken in Jeffersonville, IN through my office window out into the parking lot.

I hope everyone is enjoying the Holiday Season in all kinds of weather.

Peace & Love,
Kim

Martha, Betty, The Pioneer Woman

2009-12-15T10:03:00.015-05:00

I AM NOT! Yesterday I decided to bake. It sounded like a good idea at the time and if you go by the rule... it's the results that matter, then we are good. I make such a mess and I am quite a klutz in the kitchen! I ended up somehow spilling the evaporated milk. (and didn't realize it for sometime) It spilled on the counter top and was underneath all of my other ingredients including my cookbook. Which luckily was a grocery store aisle paperback. I can't be responsible for a real book. Then I picked up the can, thought it was empty, went to take off the label and spilled more on the floor! Oh there is more... picked up the recipe book, tore out the two pages I was working on, placed them on the counter and somehow one page fell in the sink in a pan of water! Really? The splatter of the cookie mix on the wall is nothing! Oh, did I mention that when I went to pop the butter in the mirowave to melt it, the microwave started sparking as if on fire? Yep! So I started cleaning up, then I thought I should take pictures of this mess. I had already started cleaning up, so it doesn't look as bad as it was... but you will get the idea. In case you are wondering, the Orange Pumpkin cookies taste wonderful and seem to be a family pleaser. I included pictures of the Chicken Penne Pasta Al Fresco that I made without any issues. Also included is Rich's cousin Jonathan who is visiting from Oregon, so wonderful to see him and spend some time together. Enjoy.

Orange Pumpkin Cookies

Chicken Penne Pasta Alfresco

Jonathan & Bekah

Jonathan & Bekah

Weekend recap and reflection

2009-12-13T19:14:00.028-05:00

"Life is truly a ride. We are all strapped in and no one can stop it. When the doctor slaps your behind, he's ripping off your ticket and away you go. As you make each passage from youth to adulthood to maturity, sometimes you put your arms up and scream, sometimes you just hang onto that bar in front of you. But the RIDE is the THING. I think the most you can hope for at the end of life is that your hair is messed, you're out of breath and you didn't throw up." - Unknown

Recap and reflection of my weekend adventures:

* Thursday - (I started the weekend early) Girls night out. Susan, Tracey and I went to PRs Mexican Palace for yummy Mexican food and margaritas! Love spending time with the girls, it is good for my soul. We spontaneously planned an overnight at a Disney resort so we could be there to cheer on Tracey as she competes in the Disney marathon in January. I can't wait. I'm so proud of her and her accomplishments and am honored to be there to support my friend. After dinner with the girls, I decided to go meet Rich and Bekah at the Wing House in Altamonte to watch the 4th quarter of the Steeler Browns game. Not the outcome we wanted but the company was awesome.

* Friday- Girls night out #2! Whoo Hoo... Two in one week, awesome! I had an incredible time reconnecting with friends that I worked with from 1995-2003 @ AT&T Wireless at Outback. We had and still have such a special bond, we worked so well together and we played well together too. What a wonderful group of women, I am so fortunate to have had the opportunity to work and know each one of them. Some are still with AT&T while others have moved on, however, when we get together it is just like old times. Such a special group of friends. Thank you Barbara for coordinating our quarterly get togethers, it is always a special time.

* Saturday - Are you ready? Really? Hold on! - 7:30 AM left for Maitland to take pictures of Bekah competing in the Reindeer Run 5K. (She did awesome!! Completed in 32 minutes!! Way to go Bekah!!)- Had a fabulous lunch with Rich and his brother. - Carpooled EHS Cheerleaders to the downtown Holiday Sashay that they participated in. Ran around, finding the Marshall to turn in their paperwork, get them lined up and then took pictures! - After the parade, I had a wonderful dinner at Pannullos in Winter Park with Rich and Bekah, then a quick stroll on Park Ave. - Topped off the perfect day with my favorite movie, Love Actually. Rich and I watched as we laid together on the sofa. Yummy day!

* Sunday - You probably think I'm sleeping in today.. nope! No time for that. Sunday we were out of the house by 9:00 AM to participate in the Bikers for Toys Run benefiting the US Marine Corps Toys for Tots program. Rich strapped down the toys, got the bike all ready and off we went to the East Orlando Harley Davidson store, the start of the poker run. There were 3 stops on the run, Johnny's Fillin Station, Cowboys and Orlando Harley Davidson, which was the final stop. We rode with our friend Bill and met others along the way. I was so thrilled to see a high school friend from 25 years ago! So cool to have the opportunity to see him, get a hug and meet his son. Then lunch and nap time! Sunday night we relaxed at home, watching TV, eating Jimmy Johns subs for dinner and hanging out on the sofa!

A few plans for the week....
* Laugh
* Take Blue to the vet
* Check out volunteer Opportunities for Beta (feeling a calling here)
* Wrap presents
* Plan meals / Some cooking
* Bake cookies
* Tweet
* Wrap up my work project
* of course cleaning house, prepping for Christmas!
* Joke around
* Listen to music
* Buy the movie "Hangover"
* Christmas Shopping
* Watch the WE channel!
* Catch up on blogs, read Blogging for Bliss and write
* Take pictures
* Prepping for having friends over for dinner on Sunday
* .... and anything that might come up that sounds fun! :)

So what does your week look like? Make it an adventure! Do something in your day just because you feel like it at that moment... just because you're alive!
I would love to hear what you do so please share!
Make it an awesome week.

Peace & Love,
Kim

Senior Dedication Page

2009-12-11T14:43:00.008-05:00

1st Basketball game of the season for the cheerleaders

Today I turned in Bekah's Senior Dedication page... I only started "thinking" about this over the summer! Actually I did more than think, I started gathering photos but quickly became overwhelmed. How do you fit 17 eventful and very full years into a page of 16 photos? It was so hard! Bekah wanted to be involved as well, which was great. But then she would say... remember that photo? and I would have to go looking for it! Many photos are printed form in photo boxes and many are digital, it was difficult to locate a specific photo in either format. I have thousands of photos... I thought I was more organized with my digital photos but apparently I'm not. But it is done! Turned in even... it is done and we did the best we could representing different stages in her life and her high school years. The good news is there isn't a bad picture in the bunch, so I think we are okay there!

I saw this quote today.. "The future is not something we enter, it is something we create." I thought this was a fantastic quote for a graduating senior! And for anyone ready to make a change in their future.

Happy Friday!

Peace & Love,
Kim

Our process in pictures

2009-12-09T19:03:00.006-05:00

Finding the perfect tree for us (click for larger view)

Decorating our tree (click for larger view)

Our Christmas tree process in pictures that is... (some pictures anyway...I took so many!) Our process of picking out a Christmas tree and decorating it. What you don't see in these photos is the Christmas music playing in the background, the Christmas cookies we were eating and the cappuccino Bekah was enjoying. Tree was found at Santa's Christmas Tree Farm in Eustis. The tree farm had a petting farm, haystack for kids to play in, Santa was there, rides for the kids and kettle corn!

It's the people...

2009-12-08T14:55:00.024-05:00

...in our lives that really matter. But before we get to that I have to go through my fun weekend and why I haven't had a chance to post. Yes, I am going through some serious withdraws about not posting in 3 days! It was such a busy (& FANTASTIC) weekend. I just couldn't be still long enough to gather my thoughts and write them down. Today is busy too, but I am making the time now. No guarantees on grammar, cognitive flow or sentence structure. I'm writing what I am thinking! So very quickly.. wow... wow... wow what a weekend we had! You would have thought there was 25hours in a day. We started the weekend with a Friday night basketball game. We went to see our Nephew's team, Mount Dora Bible play in a tournament at Winter Park High school. Awesome game, they came from behind to win it 57-54 against Oakridge. Then it was a late night dinner for Rich and I at Chillis. Saturday morning we were up early to start preparing for Christmas decorations. Rich made a mulch run for the backyard (not really Christmas related, just needed to be done) and I got the house ready to go find a tree. We went to Santa's Tree Farm in Eustis which is about 45 minutes from our house to get a tree. We went with the purpose of cutting down our own tree. However, when we got there I realized the tree farm was indeed a Florida tree farm (not sure what I was expecting) and although the trees were pretty, they did not smell like pine. So we walked around the tree farm and finally decided to go with a pre-cut northern tree. Not just any pre-cut tree by a crooked Dr. Seuss tree! We fell in love. It was 9ft tall, with two crooked trunks. We had to take it home. But before we left, a kettle corn purchase was in order and Bekah and I had to go pet animals at their petting zoo. Silly fun we had.

Once home, it was time to get ready go to dinner with friends and to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. An awesome night!

The next morning, I admit I slept until about 10:30 AM... we had lunch plans with friends at 12:30. Wonderful friends we hadn't seen in at least a year. I can't believe I'm even saying that. We just love being with them, so much fun..talking, laughing and just being ourselves. We were at the restaurant for four and a half hours! I guess that's what happens when you don't see someone for a year! Food was good, company was even better. I will not allow another year to go back before we see them again. Hopefully they will be going on a Toys for Tots motorcycle run this weekend with us.

After lunch, home we went. I made dinner, Rich put the outside lights up. Then the three of us decorated the Christmas tree in our traditional way of listening to Christmas music and enjoying Christmas cookies and eggnog. We finished up the tree at about 11:30 PM Sunday night. Our Dr. Seuss tree is beautiful!

Every ornament on our tree means something to us. Rich and I, when we first got married, made our own ornaments because we couldn't afford much or ornaments made by our children or our nieces and nephews, given to us by friends, places we traveled or the annual ornaments we pick up based on our taste that year. So many wonderful memories. This year I loved watching Bekah pick out the ornaments she made as a little girl and put them on her own section of the tree. "This is my area" she said.

It is so easy to have anxiety this time of year, the pace, economics, family, I could go on. For myself I am learning that things do not have to be perfect, the tree doesn't have to be perfectly straight and in a perfect triangle, the floor doesn't have to be needle free 24 hours a day. It's not all about the gifts, its about spending time together, fellowship with friends, helping one another (a hug & smile can do wonders!) So try to relax, people love you for you... not your house, your gift, your Christmas tree, but for you and what you mean to them.

In this crazy fun and busy weekend...
one thing stands out above all else.

It is the people we love and spend time with that matter. It is the people in our lives that make our world meaningful. Remember... "To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you may be the world." - Josephine Billings

So thank you, thank you to all my friends and family for being my world and contributing to my joy!

(As you might imagine, I have lots and lots of pictures from this weekend. I am only going to post a couple for now, but will probably have to come back and add more!)

Peace & Love,
Kim

My Happy List

2009-12-04T08:43:00.008-05:00

Good morning everyone and happy Friday. Today it is raining, yeah! I love the sound of rain. It did however alter my "to do" list this morning. I got the Jeep back yesterday, another yeah! Rich took it today to work, riding a motorcycle in the rain is just not that fun. That's okay, nothing that can't be done later. It is still dark in my house, most of the blinds are closed, it is very quiet. I'm making some tea and absorbing the stillness. PEACEFUL.
Since it is "Happy" Friday, I am going to do a "Happy List" as featured on Rockstar Diaries HERE.

10 [MORE] things that make me terribly happy:
*Plus a bonus!

1. The sound of rain when I go to sleep and first wake up.
2. Art Festivals, Music Festivals, Farmer's Markets, Food & Wine Festivals
3. My puppy doggies
4. When my daughter texts me from school in the middle of the day just because she can't wait to tell me something
5. When my husband and I are laughing together
6. Seeing my daughter in her cheerleading uniform, because it makes her so happy
7. Christmas Lights, Twinkle lights
8. The act of picking out a Christmas tree together, decorating it together while listen to Christmas music, eating cookies and drinking eggnog and cider
9. Listening to my pug snore, I know she is having a good sleep
10. The big oak tree in the backyard
11. ...and Outdoor dinning

Happy Friday!
Peace & Love,
Kim

My Joy

2009-12-03T12:12:00.008-05:00

This morning I was looking through some of my pictures still on my memory card and this picture just caught my eye. Doesn't Blue running with his mouth wide open look like he is having so much fun. Running straight at me! And Bekah in the background, so pretty, the photo has a gentle feel about it even with Blue running at full speed. This picture was taken last Saturday at the dog park.

I took this picture below of Bekah when we were in St. Augustine. I am so glad she lets me take so many pictures of her because it sure is fun. She is so beautiful, look at those eyes.

I love taking pictures, it gives me so much joy when I capture that perfect smile, expression or look and when the lighting is just right on a tree, flower, or water. I love telling stories through the lens of my camera, noticing the little things and seeing my world in a whole new way. I'm just loving it.

Best Smile

2009-12-03T01:22:00.007-05:00

Today I received a text from Bekah, my daughter (while she was at school) to tell me that she just found out that she was voted "Best Smile" in the Senior Class. That's out of about 400 or so seniors. (they have about 2700 students in the school) She was excited and couldn't wait to tell me. The yearbook staff took her picture today to show off her pretty smile. Way to go Bekah, of course we already knew you had the best smile ever! Keep Smiling!
We love you!

It's the 2nd Day of December

2009-12-02T10:19:00.014-05:00

...and I should be cleaning, organizing, and such. But I would rather be reading and writing. So, a little reading and writing first, then on to the rest of my day. Today, the second day of December and our only car, the Jeep is in the shop. Yep, needs a new water pump and alternator. I am just totally bummed! As luck would have it, our service contract expired 27 days ago. Although, it may have been expired prior due to miles on the Jeep, not really sure and irrelevant at this point.
I'm grateful we have a car to drive, I'm grateful that it is paid for and I have money to fix it, but I am bummed that we have to spend the money right before Christmas especially when I don't have a paycheck coming this month, of all months. I am getting paid on a contract basis and our project is done, well it has some rework, but that's another story. So, thanks for letting me get that out of my system. I'm going to be a little sad when we hand over the money.. but I do enjoy my Jeep and I need it. It's all a part of life and I do love mine!
So on to the good things... Rich got all the Christmas decorations down last night and boy is that a chore in itself, we have a lot. I believe the lights on the house are going up tonight and I will start decorating the inside. We will get a tree this weekend, trying to decide if we go to our traditional spot, College Park Trees or if we go to a tree farm and cut down a tree. Which is kinda like chasing down a chicken before dinner, I don't mind buying one prepackaged but I don't want to kill it or even think about it being alive. Oh I'm so perplexed. I guess with tree farms, the trees are grown for that reason so my conscience is cleared. (so quickly too) Sorry to digress. Can you believe we have Santa's Christmas Tree Farm in Florida. My cousin Madison is going and gave me the website to check it out. Santa's Christmas Tree Forest.
I do remember doing this a long time ago with the kids were very little. We went with their cousins, Jessica, Nathan and Markus to pick out a tree. I need to find those pictures. It was great being together picking out a tree with family.
So now it will be the three of us, Rich, Bekah and I and we will have a fun time no matter where we get the tree. As with most things we do, it is an event!
23 Days and counting!

The pictures are from St. Augustine, part II of our Holiday Kick-off 2009.

Peace & Love,

Kim

Give: It's good for your health

2009-12-02T00:43:00.019-05:00

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Oct. 31st, 2009

Tonight I read this wonderful article over at Operation Nice found HERE. I got so excited about sharing it I couldn't wait until the morning, well technically it is the morning... but you know what I mean.
Melissa from Operation Nice shared this article written in the New York Times titled "In the Month of Giving, a Healthy Reward." It is about Cami, the founder of the 29-Day Giving Challenge.
The NY Times article explains how giving is good for your health. Helping others, volunteering, and overall generosity towards others can lead to positive mental and physical changes in our health.

Great article, going to sign up now for the 29-Day Challenge at 29gifts.org. Get into the spirit of giving, you will feel better!

The 29 Gift Challenge can also be found on Facebook HERE and Twitter HERE.

Peace & Love,

Kim

ICE ICE Baby

2009-12-01T11:36:00.007-05:00

Ice, Ice Baby... "All right stop collaborate and listen."
No actually this not really about the '80s tune by the renowned artist Vanilla Ice. It is about our Holiday kick off extravaganza! Yep, I said it... EXTRAVAGANZA!
Every year for as long as I can remember (& for those who know me that could have been last year, my memory isn't that great) we have been kicking off the holidays with a family event of some sort. One year we went to see a traveling Cirque show in St. Pete, then went to Busch Gardens, we've gone to see the Christmas Carol at a local performance theatre, and last year we went to Walt Disney World. We set one day or in some cases a weekend aside to do something different, something we haven't done during the year or for a long time. It is a wonderful tradition and I always look forward to spending this uinterrupted time together.
This year, Rich surprised Bekah and I with tickets to see ICE at the Gaylord Palms. This is about the 7th year that ICE has come to Orlando, but we have never been.
Inside it is 9 degrees in the exhibit! Yes, 9 degrees, luckily they provide the parkas. We were still cold, except Rich who wore layered clothing, gloves and a hat. And to think we were mocking him (with LOVE of course)... he was the smart one! He was the only one out of the group that grew up in chilly weather, the rest of us are Floridians. The ice sculptures were amazing of the North Pole, a life size carousel, a life size Nativity scene carved out of crystal ice, a huge slide with the 8 reindeers, and more. It was really cool.
We had a fun time, we went with our good friends, really family.. Fred and Lauren. This was part one of our Holiday kick off. After the ICE exhibit, Rich, Bekah and I drove to St. Augustine for lunch, (a little over 1.5 hours away from Orlando)to do some shopping in the quaint shops and to see their Christmas lights and decorations. I love spending this time with my family...and Zack is never far from our thoughts. Merry Christmas.
Peace & Love,

Kim

The Gift

2009-11-30T15:54:00.010-05:00

Bekah asked for a "fixie" or a fixed gear bike for Christmas this year, so Rich and I were on the hunt for one. She said she didn't care if it was new or used, she just had an idea of what she wanted it to look like and the preferred color was kewi green. Other than that, she was pretty open.
I began doing research on the web, looking at new bikes and craigslist as well. I soon realized that there was SO much information out there I wasn't sure what to get her. She has a cruiser bike now, but this is a road bike. Bekah has been exploring doing a triathlon too and we wanted to get her a bike she could have versatility with. Of course, we know very little when it comes to the specifics of it all. Luckily for us, our neighbor 2 houses down builds bikes, races bikes and is all things 2 wheels. I walked down to her house with my laptop in hand (to show her what I found) to ask a few questions. In return I got a wonderful education on bike types, fixies, the fixie culture and a bike! Yes, I left her house with an amazing vintage 12 speed Schwinn road bike. She was so kind. She said that someone had brought her the bike gave it to her for free and she was happy to pass it along to someone who would use it. She changed the seat, she added a new tube for the tire, and put air in the tires. She said she would be happy to make it into a 1 speed or even a fixie if we wanted, but to let Bekah try it out as is first. For those of you who don't know (I didn't) a fixie is a Fixed Gear bike, meaning no gear changing and the pedals don't stop turning. Our neighbor said they can be very challenging to ride in a city area... however, they are very popular and driving a culture of "fixie" riders for transportation. She was so kind and asked for nothing in return. Her passion is bicycles and she was happy to be able to share her passion with someone who was interested. What a wonderful gift.
I need to also add, this isn't someone we talk to frequently or has she ever been to our home for dinner, for the last few years, she has been a neighbor that we wave at when we are driving by. Sadly, I probably have not talked to her in a couple of years. That is sad and really embarrassing for me. It is so easy to get caught up in our day to day lives, isn't it? I am so glad I decided to knock on her door. We ended up talking for about 3 hours. It was a wonderful visit and an amazing gift, not just the bicycle but reconnecting with our neighbor. I read a friend's blog today about turning the filters off..you can read it HERE. A great reminder to turn the filters off and go knock on that door, make eye contact as "Moms Daily Retreat" blog so wonderfully states. There is no better time than now.

Peace & Love,
Kim

Hotel for Dogs

2009-11-28T19:12:00.012-05:00

Hotel for Dogs...maybe not an award winning movie, but I really liked it! Such a feel good movie, I'm so glad I turned the channel from American Gangster. Just got done watching the movie and it made me smile. So many adorable dogs and what a great family they all made. I want to have a Hotel for dogs, but until then... I'll just visit the dog park.

As it so happens, this morning we met friends at the dog park, Blue and Bebe had so much fun. Blue heards us and nudges away any other dogs that try to get our attention. It is so funny. Bebe thinks she can run with the Great Danes, today she stood close to the edge of the water watching the big dogs play. I am sure she was wishing she liked the water so she could play too.
Happy Saturday!

Happy Thanksgiving 2009

2009-11-28T17:06:00.008-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving
Our Thanksgiving started out in the traditional way, with a 5K Turkey Trot in downtown Orlando. Rich and Bekah have been participating in the Turkey Trot to benefit Seniors First for three years now. It is a great way to start the day and the bonus is you can have a little more turkey (or dessert) with the Thanksgiving Day run. This year my cousin Craig and his daughter Tiffany joined us from Jacksonville as well as the Kosiewski Family, Fred, Amy, Katie and Lauren. Everyone did awesome! After the run, we came home, some of us rested and some of us baked pies (me). I made the Scrumptious Caramel Apple pie and Pecan Pie from The Pioneer Woman’s receipe box. I also made a couple of yummy pumpkin pies.
We enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner with all the fixings at my in-laws house. It was wonderful having Craig and Tiffany there. Tiffany and I attempted... and finally was successful at making pan fried sliced sweet potatoes. This was something that Jakki used to make and we wanted to honor that tradition.
When we got home we all feel asleep.
It was one fun, busy and emotional day. Jakki was greatly missed and the holidays will continue to be very difficult with her passing this year. We also missed Zack who is out to sea on his deployment, our thoughts and prayers continue to be with him, the USS Bonhomme Richard and the 11th MEU.
It was great to be with one another, fellowship and give thanksgiving for those blessings that have been bestowed upon us in 2009, our family, our friends, that we can laugh, love, create and help each other in times of need just to name a few.
Peace & Love,
Kim

Thank you

2009-11-28T01:57:00.007-05:00

Good Morning,
This will be a quick post to say "Thank you" to my wonderful readers that are stopping by. Thank you. I know how busy everyone is and it means so much to me when you let me know you've stopped by. THANK YOU! I love love love your comments.
I have been so busy I haven't had a chance to post recently.
I will soon, so stay tuned.
For those who celebrated Thanksgiving yesterday, Happy Thanksgiving! Shouldn't everyday be a Happy Thanksgiving Day?... you know, the THANKFUL part, not the excessive eating and pies... ok, maybe the pies.
I haven't forgotten I owe you pictures of St. Augustine and our Family Holiday Kick-off pictures. Coming soon.
Peace & Love,
Kim

On it's way soon!

2009-11-22T20:27:00.010-05:00

It is starting to get busy. With Thanksgiving just 4 short days away, the time will fly by. My goal is to be relaxed, cherish this time and slow it down. Once the holidays hit, 2010 is right around the corner and before we can say Happy New Year, we will be planning for Bekah's graduation party in June. For now, let's slow it down and savor the time we have together this holiday season. We are missing 1/4 of our family again this year. Zack, our son will not be with us for the holidays. As most of you know he is on a ship "somewhere" working for each of us, ready to protect our country at any given moment. We really missed him last year, his first holiday away, this year will not be any easier. We are preparing to send him a Christmas Care package. Rich and I had fun shopping for him. It is mostly all things he requested, like tattoo magazines, vitamins, and books, however, Rich did make chocolate chip cookies and Zack's grandmother made peanut butter cookies. I bought a stocking and added "Gummy Krabby Patties" one of his favorites among a few other things. I need to wrap the items and get them out the door ASAP so they will arrive by Christmas.
Lots of activities coming up, Thanksgiving morning Rich & Bekah along with my cousin Craig and his daughter will be running in the Thanksgiving Turkey Trot at Lake Eola downtown. It is a 5K to raise money for the Seniors First organization. This will be our 3rd year participating in the event. It is a perfect way to start the Thanksgiving holiday. Later in the afternoon, we all will be heading to the in-laws for Thanksgiving fellowship and dinner. I will be making The Pioneer Woman "Moist Spiced Pumpkin Muffins (with Cream Cheese Frosting) along with some pumpkin and pecan pies. Yum!
Also this week, be on the look out for some fun photos from this Tuesday as we are heading to St. Augustine for the day. One of my favorite cities. Saint Augustine, Florida is the oldest European city in the United States. I love the brick streets, historic churches, quaint shops, local artistry, the B&Bs, and restaurants. Always a good day in St. Augustine, especially with my family.
Bye for now, I need to get wrapping Zack's care package. If anyone would like to send a card or something to Zack while he is on deployment, let me know. I would be happy to send you his address.
Have a joyful week full of gratitude. There is so much to be thankful for! (even though our beloved Steelers lost to the Chiefs.. we must move on!)

Peace & Love,

Kim

Fabulous Sugar Blogger

2009-11-20T16:59:00.014-05:00

As some may know I started my blog in June 2008 when I was working in Louisville, KY Monday through Friday and coming home to Florida on the weekends. Writing in my blog was a wonderful way to feel connected with my family and friends when I wasn't home.

I experienced huge growth during this time away. And although I do my blog for me, I enjoy it so much I would love to expand it and it's offerings to others out in the blogsphere. I'm working on how I do that... and understanding what I have to offer? What makes what I have to say interesting, why would people want to read what I write...all those things I think about.

Yesterday was a first and it was very exciting, I am humbled that Amelia over at Mom's Daily Retreat - Notes from the Edge passed along the Fabulous Sugar Blogger award to me.

If you haven't been to Ameila's, I highly recommend to visit and stay awhile, good for the soul.

So, as a recipient of this fun award, I need to list 10 interesting/fun facts about myself before passing the award along. So here it goes:

1. During the first 12 years of my life I moved 7 times, my father was in the Air Force

2. I LOVE the Dave Matthews Band

3. I don't like wearing shoes, but I love buying them!

4. I once took a ride in a bobsled on the Olympic track in Park City Utah for a team building event. Exhilarating and painful!

5. I'm a Florida Native

6. I'm a non-practicing licensed Nail Technician

7. I don't like soup

8. There are two gondolas on the Island of St. Thomas, one takes you to what is highlighted as one of the most beautiful views in the world and home of the banana daiquiri and one has some shops and dirt trails, guess which one I went to and took others excitedly looking for my banana daiquiri? Who knew there were two gondolas!

9. According to my daughter I laugh loudly and make funny faces

10. I am prone to whimsical activities (as my husband would say) where I will just break out in song, a funny noise, random thoughts at any given moment

With that said, I am passing this fun and charming little award on to these bloggers, some of my favorites!

1. Heart Piercing Life

2. One Blessed Girl

3. Holiday In The Sun

4. 6 Harts for Him

5. 101 Bird Tales

6. Mad Crafts

7. Life is Beautiful - Embers

Any blogging advice you want to give me, I'm listening! :)

Peace & Love,
Kim

Forever Friends

2009-11-18T14:55:00.012-05:00

I haven't posted in awhile. Unfortunately, I have not been feeling well. I've had a headache that will NOT go away. I still have it, but it is not as bad as it has been. I miss not writing... so here is something short and sweet.
Last weekend my daughter and I went to Tallahassee, Fl. to tour Tallahassee Community College. We had a nice time and really liked the campus. We also drove around Florida State University. Bekah, my daughter, has decided she wants to start at the community college in Tallahassee first, then go on to FSU. I think that this is a wonderful idea. So now we have started down the process of applying, understanding the neighborhoods and housing options, budgets, etc. It is fun and I admit overwhelming too! So many things to do and so many deadlines! I know she will do well and I'm really excited for her.
During out visit to Tallahassee we watched a good friend of Bekah's (who is currently going to FSU) and his father compete in a Triatholon event. It was wonderful to watch and I know Bekah is excited now about training for one herself. This picture is of Bekah and her good friend Jackson who competed. These two really connect and it is so fun to watch them interact. I know Bekah just thinks the world of him. Friends like this are so important, just makes life that much more fun!

Veteran's Day Thank you!

2009-11-11T15:27:00.008-05:00

"Veterans Day is about everybody who wore or continues to wear the uniform," he said. "It's a very select group of American citizens that have had the opportunity to do that." - VFW Davis

Thank you to all the service men and women in this great nation of ours that have selflessly serviced our country in the armed forces, the USMC, Navy, Army, Airforce and Coast Guard. Thank you for your unwavering committment to protect and defend my freedoms. You are all heros.

A special thank you to my son, LCpl Mills who is actively serving in the United States Marine Corps, currently on the USS Bonhomme Richard somewhere in the gulf. I am so proud of you. Thank you for your selfless act of serving. I love you.
Semper Fi.

Zack's promotion to Lance Corporal

Zack (son) and Rich (husband) in Yuma Arizona on the Marine Corps base in front of Zack's Squadron VMA-513

I Believe in You

2009-11-11T08:07:00.008-05:00

"I believe in you" isn't that such a powerful statement. I have to tell you about a wonderful thing that just happened. To get my day started, I was reading through a book of quotes I got from Compendium called "I Believe in You" and as I'm reading quotes and thumbing through the pages, I noticed a business card tucked in one of the pages. I thought that was odd, because I didn't recall bookmarking anything. The business card fell out and it was one of my company business cards and on the back my husband wrote...

"K, I believe in you. L. R." with heart drawn next to it.

It's he just an amazing man. How incredibly thoughtful and sweet. Finding that card with those words on it from him made my heart sing. Do you know he even bought me flowers this week. Rich, I love you so much. Thank you for always being there for me and for our family. Finding that card made my day. Thank you!

I hope everyone has a wonderful day today, go out and spread the kindness. Do something kind & random for a loved one or even someone you don't know. You could make their day! (& yours too)

Peace & Love
Kim

On the open road

2009-11-09T20:35:00.011-05:00

This is my second attempt to write tonight. I have to tell you I was going down a path of why can't I seem to get my house organized... then I thought, who really cares. Not in a mean way, but I don't care that much. I wish I was more motivated to take care of a few things around the house, I'll get there and I'll get there soon, just not today. Then I started looking through pictures and realized I hadn't looked at some pictures I downloaded last weekend after a motorcycle ride with my husband. I did not have much expectation that the pictures I took were that great, so I hadn't even looked at them. To my pleasant surprise, I really like them. I took them while riding on the back of the motorcycle. I promise, I was safe.
I enjoy our rides together, especially when the weather is not too hot. It is relaxing, a little get away. For me, since I'm not driving, I get to sit back and just watch what is around me, up close and personal. I like that. This is the first time I attempted to take pictures from the back seat, I definitely will try that again. Hope you enjoy the pictures. This is the kind of thing I do instead of organizing my house, life is so much better when it is being lived.

Peace & Love
Kim

Love This Face

2009-11-07T23:42:00.005-05:00

Posting a picture tonight of my 17 year old daughter, I took at the Cheerleader's Senior Dinner Friday night.

Ben Harper Friday

2009-11-06T09:44:00.003-05:00

When the weather is great, not to hot and sunny! AND it's a Friday.. and you are wearing a new dress... and discovered BEN HARPER! It is the perfect ingredients for an AWESOME Day! So I am announcing that today is "Ben Harper Friday!"
I actually heard Ben Harper on my Sirius Radio in my Jeep, I always loved the song "Diamonds on the inside" when it played. I finally checked out his other songs and I just love them! Here is a live version of "She's Only Happy In the Sun" I absolutely LOVE LOVE it! Makes me Happy!! I've already listened to it five times this morning. Eventually I will need to go to work. Enjoy

Peace & Love my friends! Have a musical weekend.

Who am I and what path should I take?

2009-11-05T07:59:00.013-05:00

When I was in my teens and early twenties I didn't give it a second thought. I'm me.. that is who I am. Not really sure if I knew what that meant, but I didn't really think about it and didn't really care I suppose, I was just living life. I went a different direction than I thought I would, I bypassed the "career girl with a dog who lives in a condo" stage and I went a direction of = married, job and children. (if you noticed, "career" changed to "job") It was the right decision, I was happy then, I'm happy now. I love my family and would NEVER change marrying the love of my life at age 19 and having our children in my twenties. It worked for us. But what seems to happen along the way is that we start to get consumed by making a living for ourselves, for our children and for our future and it is so darn easy to get wrapped up in that. I'm not saying that I did't have fun along the way, I have had a wonderful time living. I haven't always felt fulfilled in my jobs, but it's a job, right. I have my family, my hobbies, my friends and my inner spirit to fill in the gaps. As long as I'm paying the bills and my family has what they need and then some- I'm happy.
Now I'm 41 years old. My son is now 20, months away from being 21 and my daughter is 17 and preparing to graduate from High School. After 8 years with one company and 6 with another, I was laid off. Cut backs, economy, change in guard, whatever the reason it happened. I had no emotion about the "job." It was actually a huge relief. (pressure of money aside) I am very grateful to have a wonderful opportunity in front of me. It is different than what I have done in the past, but then again it's not. If I sit down and really think about who I AM, I probably would be doing something completely different, in fact, I'm sure of it. But life has taken me into this direction and I have allowed it to do so. I know that my new opportunity will start to take off and provide our family with security and a future that we have all worked so hard to obtain. So for that I am so grateful.
I find it interesting how "life" happens. I've always been positive, hard working and open to new things, I suppose that is why I wandered on the path I have.
So you are probably wondering is there a point to all this? I am happy to say yes!
I started thinking about my path in life, how I got here and what is next. I believe that is probably a natural thought process when a youngest child is preparing to graduate and leave the "nest." Thoughts of "what haven't I taught her, what should I make sure she knows before she goes out on her own?" "What GREAT life lesson is she still missing?" then it turns to thoughts of "What's next for me?" "What's next for us?" Yes we need to get through paying for college, room and board... so no changes quickly. But what is next?
To continue on this subject of "Who am I?" I have talked to our daughter about doing what she loves, finding her strengths early on, so when she is in her 40s she is doing exactly what she loves to do and it is not only supporting her monetarily, but it is also fulfilling her spirit. I know we can't predict the future and it is even more difficult to see into the future when we are 17 and everything is an opportunity to really know what we want out of life. My hope that she will remember our talks and when faced with opportunities she takes the one that fulfills her even if it doesn't pay the bills yet, because I believe if we do something we LOVE the rest will fall into place. But it is too easy to go down the path of security when we start on life's journey and difficult to jump off of it later. Find your strengths, understand your values, live your life on purpose.

You have brains in your head and feet in your shoes, you can steer yourself any direction you choose. Your're on your own and you know what you know and you are the one who'll decide where to go. - Dr. Seuss

As for me, I'll get there and I'm moving in that direction.
Loving, nurturing and teaching our children has been and will continue to be the greatest "job" of all. For me, the rest will fall into place.

Have a good Thursday!
Peace & Love

Operation NICE Assignment - "Places I Love"

2009-11-03T14:01:00.012-05:00

China Town, NYC March 2007

Operation Nice It is a blog about "Encouraging Individuals to be Proactively Nice." When I'm not feeling so nice or I don't particularly feel like I (clear throat) "want" to be nice, I go and read... looking for that bit of inspiration. Today's assignment is awesome, just exactly what I need. Although I am trying to stay busy with positive thoughts, activities and family, I'm going through a rough spot, feeling a little sad and disappointed with humankind.
When I saw this assignment, I thought, how perfect...what great distraction to think about the places I love, you know, those happy places.
So here it is from Operation Nice.

If you could be anywhere right now, where would it be? What places do you have fond memories of? What spots do you regularly visit because you love them so much?

I love to learn and explore new things hand-in-hand with my husband, Rich • I love the NYC. The vibe, the awesome public transportation, the fabulous shopping. • I love playing & just laying with my dogs, Blue and BeeBee • I love festivals in the fall • I love being at the beach hearing the sound of the waves, especially at sunset • I love shopping with my daughter, Bekah • I love when we play Christmas music, drink cider and eggnog, eat cookies while we are decorating the Christmas Tree • I love going on vacations • I love talking with my daughter • I love it when my son does/is doing something that he is happy about and shares • I love journals, but I don't write in them • I love painting • I love art • I love taking pictures {Photographyy} • I love San Francisco • I love jewelry • I love laughing and hanging out with good friends • I love tea and teapots • I love good driving music with the windows down and to sing out loud.

That was an awesome assignment, I needed it! I would love to hear about the places you love, what places make you happy.

Enjoy your Tuesday.
Peace & Love

2009 Pumpkins

2009-11-01T12:22:00.007-05:00

Awww.. well she isn't our "little pumpkin" anymore, she is all grown up. Bekah in her sailor costume (Shhh! Don't tell Zack) heading out to a Halloween party. Still adorable, just not so little anymore. Also pictured is the pumpkin Bekah and Rich carved together. Our Halloween Pumpkins. Don't you just love fall!

Peace & Love

Halloween, a chance to be myself

2009-10-31T18:39:00.008-04:00

Rich and I went to a Halloween party last night, being a little more money and comfort conscience these days, we looked in our closets to see what we could come up. For me it was fun to pull some clothes together that I already own but don't get a chance to wear them all together often or at all. It was so much fun and I felt so ME to be able to put my ensemble together. I resembled more of a free spirit, earthy person. Rich found a flannel shirt, an old white tank top of Zack's, a pair of blue jeans, a knit hat and an axe as his accessory. He was my lumber jack! I just felt good in my outfit, I will be wearing it again. So I was saving the Trees and he was cutting them down. We are a good pair!

Happy Halloween.
Peace & Love

Live Inspired

2009-10-30T13:12:00.003-04:00

Yesterday I mentioned a book I was reading from Compendium Incorporated. I encourage you to check out their site HERE and specifically about the The Five Book, click HERE. They have beautiful and inspiring books, cards, journals, and more. The Inspired Community Blog Collection gives me a dose of inspiration and energy in my daily reads! Enjoy!

Peace & Love

Save My Sunshine Blog Button

2009-10-30T01:41:00.005-04:00

I made my blog button tonight. I don't think I'm done with it yet, but it is a start. I found directions on how to make it on two different sites. Go HERE for directions from Real Life Design.
Take a look at mine on the right hand side of the page beneath my "No Boundries" poem.

Then I also used the code provided from Simply Fabulous Tutorials found HERE.

Check back to see what I come with for my button.

Good night, Peace & Love

The Simple Woman's Daybook

2009-10-29T14:32:00.012-04:00

This idea is from the The Simple Woman Daybook, I saw this on my cousin's Madison blog HERE.

FOR TODAY - Thursday October 29th, 2009

Outside my window... View of a beautiful lake and trees
I am thinking...I need to complete my to do list
I am thankful for...Rich, Bekah and Zack, my family
From the kitchen...it is Chinese food tonight
I am wearing...a brown dress and boots
I am creating...a senior album for Bekah
I am going...to walk in a 5K on Saturday with Bekah's cheer team for Breast Cancer Awareness
I am reading...What will I be doing in 5 years Compendium
I am hoping...& praying my sister finds the strength to face that she has cancer and fight to beat it.
I am hearing...a train
Around the house...it's a bit messy
One of my favorite things...is taking pictures
A few plans for the rest of the week: Craving a pumpkin, Cancer Walk, visiting my mom
Here is picture for thought I am sharing...I saw this green fire hydrant and just loved the color!

Something simple for today. I am looking forward to a nice relaxing weekend. Saturday we are doing the Breast Cancer Walk, then I think I will just hang at home, get some things done and reflect and relax.

Peace & Love

Wonderful weekend, sleep deprived week

2009-10-28T08:29:00.011-04:00

Coming off a wonderful weekend of adventure, I have to admit I'm having an off week. (So far, isn't over... and I hope by writing this down, I will have the energy to re-direct it)

I'm struggling this week to actually get out of bed and being productive. My thoughts are stay in bed and sleep, all day would be fine. I have resisted that urge, I'm up.

Maybe it is all the stuff running through my head this week and the lack of sleep it is causing. I'm thinking about my sister diagnosed with Stage 2 liver cancer and not knowing any details. Thinking about what she must be going through right now. I like to take control of things and the waiting and not seeing her is very difficult. What is the diagnoses long term? Is there a "long term?" What is going to happen to her children? Will she need me to become a guardian of her daughter? Can she beat this? What does that mean for us, for Rich, for Bekah? Thinking about my mom. Thinking about my niece and nephew. So much to think about.

Then there are thoughts about my children, my job as a parent. Protecting our children, that is our number one goal as a parent. We want to protect them not only from the harmful people in our world, but also from making those bad choices, from seeing them get hurt. We are their advocate. But I know making bad choices, learning from them is all part of growing up, life. Sometimes life sucks. There, I said it. It just sucks. We make a bad decision and can't take it back. Treated unfairly and as much protesting and noise we make, it happens anyway. Sometimes I just want to wrap my arms around my children and not let anything get inside. When they are hurt, I hurt.

...and personal goals, I seem to be neglecting. I have fallen behind in my unravelling class, I need to catch up this week. I want to start my site, I need to figure out what I am going to put on it and how I will drive revenue there. Need to plan. How can I keep that creative side of me fed? I need to stay awake here. These are all things going through my head causing sleep deprivation.

So, this morning, I opened my new book "Where will you be in five years from today?" -Compendium- I just started flipping through it. I wasn't sure if this was the inspiration I needed right now, but I would give it a try. It is very hard to know or plan when there are so many unknowns, like with my sister. But after perusing it, I need to start using it, writing down my goals, my values, my mission. Even with the unknown, whatever God has planned for me, for us... knowing my personal direction a little bit more clearly is a good thing and it will all come together in the end.

I stopped on one page that said "When was the last time you did something for the first time?" I love love love this question. What a great question to help unlock that creative being inside. I don't even know if this question even goes along with what I have been writing about, I don't even care.
It made me stop and think. It made me want to be awake today.

"When was the LAST time you did something for the FIRST time?"

Peace & Love

P.S. The pumpkin carving was not last night as I previously posted. It will take place sometime over the next couple of days. I know you are on the edge of your seat for this one!

a Visit to the Pumpkin Patch

2009-10-27T01:09:00.011-04:00

This morning, Rich said "Why don't we go get a pumpkin tonight." Sounded like a great idea. Bekah has been a little down, having a rough spot in school, activity is good. I got home from work and we had Halloween decorations out! Yeah! I was so excited. Rich put some Halloween decorations outside and inside. I was ready to get our pumpkin. We went to a local church pumpkin patch, it was so sweet seeing the little ones picking out their pumpkins. Bekah made the comment she was the only "big person" there... I corrected her with, "No, there are three of us!" But really there were a bunch of young adults looking for their own pumpkins. Of course I took my camera. Bekah wasn't really in the mood and I thought I would cheer her up. It took a little work. She was allowing me to take pictures, but she wasn't happy with any of them. I snapped away... I got her to come around. I'm glad she can find the humor in her dad and I acting silly. Life is so much easier that way. So Bekah found the perfect pumpkin, Bekah affectionately named Gilbert. Bekah also found Gilbert a friend and at this moment, I don't recall the name given to the friend pumpkin, it sounded very similar to Gilbert. Tomorrow night will be pumpkin carving night.

A weekend of LIVING

2009-10-26T22:11:00.015-04:00

If you read my blog, you may have noticed that I talk a lot about LIVING! We have had some hurdles this year, some ups and downs. I focus on the positive. A LOT. I talk about how we need to live our lives to the fullest and we practice this as a family ...most of that time. We have done some living this year, that is for sure. This past weekend, our niece got married in Searcy, Arkansas. We were first going to drive the 16 hours or so from Orlando to Searcy. Leaving on a Thursday or Friday and returning on the Sunday following. The more we thought about it, the more we realized this would be too much driving, too stressful. Now, I had planned on creating a photo scavenger hunt for our drive and would have come up with other activities had we made that trek, but we all were dreading it to be perfectly honest. So, we decided to spend the money, be relaxed and enjoy our visit. We absolutely made the right decision. We had a blast in Memphis, we enjoyed the wedding in Searcy and returned to Memphis for our flight home. It was a fantastic weekend of living!

1. Bekah & Rich Rendezvous for Ribs 2. Bekah & Kim at Sun Studio
3. In the Graceland Tour parking lot, a change of clothes
4. Strolling at River Art Fest 5. Beignets 6. Hot & Spicy Fried Chicken 7. View from the plane 8. Lorraine Motel, assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King 9. Beignet Cafe 10. Gus's Fried Chicken 11. Bekah & Kim in front of the Graceland Gates

On Saturday we drove from Memphis, TN to Searcy, AR. We had the pleasure of attending our niece's wedding. It was a beautiful wedding, full of laughter and joy. It was wonderful to see her, meet her new husband and also to see our nephew who gave the bride away. A wonderful weekend of living.

So excited, pictures from Lcpl Zack Mills

2009-10-22T14:37:00.011-04:00

Zack is on the right side when looking at this photo. Has the General Mills "G" on the back of his crainal. (Learning the lingo)

I got so excited today when Rich told me he got some pictures from Zack (our son). Whoo-hoo! You have to understand, Zack doesn't "do" pictures very often and when he does they are usually via camera phone. So when I saw these pictures they brought a BIG smile to my face. I do wish I could see his face, his smile but I'll take what I can get and not complain, I LOVE THEM. These are awesome pictures. Great shots of Zack at work. His location is unknown, somewhere in the ocean on the USS Bon-Homme Richard running ordnance with the Harriers.
Semper Fi

Jump a Train

2009-10-19T18:15:00.010-04:00

Have you ever thought about jumping a train just to see where it takes you? I've been taking notice of the trains and their sounds more so in recent weeks wondering where are they going? Not sure if it is because of my Unravelling course (I seem to be noticing more things in my everyday life) or because I now cross railroad tracks daily to get to my office. In Florida, the majority of the trains are freight trains, however, we do have the Amtrak passenger train that travels through Orlando and Winter Park in my area. I love the train sounds, the sound of the whistle blowing, the sound of the train going down the tracks, the ringing of the bells... I especially enjoy the whistle at night when laying in bed.
For vacation one year (sadly I can't recall the exact year possibly 2002) the four of us took the Amtrack train from Winter Park,FL to Savannah, GA. It was the first time my children and I had ever been on a train. Rich had traveled by train before. If you are not in a hurry and you want to relax it is the way to go. We had fun in the dinner car, walked around to stretch our legs and enjoyed not having to drive ourselves. It was a new adventure. I would definitely go back to Savannah by train again.
Here's a picture of a train I took moving along the tracks, we were having dinner with friends at PR's Taco Palace and walked outside to catch the train. The train tracks go in front and right beside the restaurant.
Take a look at this speed, I don't think I would jump this one but I do wonder where it is going, where it will end up. Hope somewhere fun.

Hope everyone enjoys the week, listen for the trains.

Peace & Love

Hand me the hairspray

2009-10-18T22:42:00.005-04:00

I love the way this photo turned out, so much activity going on... just like the day, the week, the month. Our lives! Staying busy and enjoying every minute of it. Life is too short to not live it to it's fullest.

“Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams.” Ashley Smith

Peace & Love

Old Meets New Hollywood

2009-10-18T08:49:00.007-04:00

Bekah looks amazing getting ready for her Senior Homecoming Dance. The theme this year is Old Meets New Hollywood. Doesn't she look glamourous? Love her smile! Hair and make-up by our good friend Robert Showalter.

Waiting & The News

2009-10-15T09:37:00.008-04:00

I can't begin to imagine what my sister is going through... waiting. Ginger is waiting to go back to the doctors on October 20th for the results of a biopsy on her liver and intestines. Suspected cancer cells were seen during an MRI and CT scan. She is a single mother of two precious little ones and she lives far from family in Kentucky. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

This picture if of my sister and I at Walt Disney World in Florida. Unfortunatly, I don't know the year.

Peace & Love

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Ginger has not been able to talk about it, she did go back to the doctor early and apparently on her own. She does have Cancer. We don't know what stage. We don't have many details. The cancer on her intestines can be treated with a laser. However, for the cancer on her liver the doctors are recommending chemotheraphy. My sister has a 5year old and a 4 year old. Is single, without health insurance and works around the clock to pay the bills and take care of her children. My mother is going up to Kentucky ASAP to help Ginger with the decisions she is facing. Please pray.

Robert, I love him!

2009-10-13T12:46:00.004-04:00

My awesomest, caringest, loveliest friend Robert is unbelievable! I know I made a couple of those words up, but you get the idea. He is AWESOME, loving, caring, just a wonderful human being. I love him. He has been such a special person in my life and daughter's life. He is Uncle Robert to her and she adores him. They are special to each other, I couldn't ask for someone better to be in my daughter's life, a friend, a guide, a confidant. Robert has been watching over Bekah since she was born, loving her and ALWAYS making sure she was the best dressed girl at the party, that's for sure. Thank you Robert for everything you do and how special you are to all of us. Thank you both Ron and Robert for always being there for us and being such special friends, we love you! I can't believe this is our last homecoming dance with Bekah? At least there is Sweetheart and Prom to go in 2010, I'll stop at that. Love you!