Friday, September 25, 2009

Lessons To Pass On

Just in time for my birthday I came across this post from my old blog that I published almost 2 years ago. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did (and still do!):

"50 Life Lessons"
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. God never gives you any more than you can handle..
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't mess up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what
their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get
busy dying.
17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.
18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
45. The best is yet to come.
46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
48. If you don't ask, you don't get.
49. Yield.
50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Recipe Swap...

I recently joined a monthly recipe swap that started in August, so a few weeks ago I made 2 sets of 12 cards- one for August (featuring an appetizer) and one for September (featuring a main dish), only to have them all get destroyed before they were mailed out. I could have waited and started all over agan in October, but I didn't feel right about that since I had already received a few cards from others. So I decided to make another 2 sets...the only glitch was I had to do this quickly..as in TODAY, because this was the only day I had time to devote to the project. That meant I had to keep everything super, super simple - and let go of my "bling" mentality and "need-to-over-embellish" impulses. These look NOTHING like my blinged out originals, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that everyone will be happy with what they receive. Wow, I'm just noticing how crooked that Salsa recipe is -- I really blew through that one, huh? LOL





Sunday, September 20, 2009

A Quick Mini...












I LOVE project kits. They're like self-paced classes that teach me new design techniques and how to mix and match different elements....and they're great to use when I'm busy but still want to put together something pretty. All the planning and coordination has been done for me, and I can just sit, read a few instructions, and create. Total bliss...I can take them to crops (eliminates all the prep work) or reach for one when I want to complete a quick project for instant gratification, (or just get the creative juices flowing again). So, of course when I spotted this sweet mini book kit from Paisleys and Polka Dots I knew I had to have it. It is fully-loaded with pre-cut October Afternoon papers, pretty embellies and full-color instructions. Everything you need for each page is contained in its own zip-lock bag (and all the papers are PRE-CUT for you - yeah!). All I had to do was sit, read a few simple instructions, and create. What could be easier than that? So the next time you need a creative surge, or want to learn something new but cannot take a "live" class, reach for a project kit like this one. They're quick, fun and only take a couple of hours to complete....










xoxo,


PS. - Thanks Julie for all your hard work in putting together this awesome kit.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Why?


At a total loss for words today. This tragedy happened 8 years ago and although I watched it all unfoldon television like most of the world did that day, I still consider it a personal loss. I remember feeling so helpless as I watched the images of the second plane hit the South Tower, the camera footage of office workers in suits jumping to their deaths in order to escape the flames (omg...those poor people - can you imagine having to make that kind of choice?). Even the rescue workers were in shock as they headed towards the danger in order to lead everyone else away. And to see the Towers (they were so incredibly magnificent) consumed with flames and jet fuel..UGH, that was so sad. There was so much panic and fear. Then everything came crashing down and everything and everyone was covered with ash and rubble- it was just too much. My husband helped build 7 World Trade and for a moment we held out hope that it would remain standing...but later that evening it too came crashing down. Unbelievable...Makes me wonder "why"?


Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Third Time's A Charm...

Seriously, this is my THIRD attempt at blogging...is that funny or what? Seems that I tend to start a new one whenever I need a fresh start or make a new discovery about myself. My first Typepad blog was fully-loaded, but difficult to figure out. I eventually moved over to Blogger under a different studio name, but I couldn't seem to control the direction in which it was going so I stopped updating it. They say the third time is a charm so...here I go again. I think I will look forward to staying with this one because I've finally realized what blogging means to me...it's not about posting gorgeous artwork or catchy phrases, it's about sharing who I am and what I love. So I'm looking forward to sharing a bit of myself, and my creative pursuits, with you. But don't be upset f I pretend you're not there!

xoxo,