Life Lessons..

 

I saw someone post this and I just had to share. We all keep looking for the secret to a happy life, maybe this 90 year old woman has a clue. Hope you all enjoy it as much as I did. 

 

Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer Newspaper, Cleveland, Ohio.
"To ...celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written.

My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:
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 - enjoy it..
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and
family will.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself.
7... Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
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 screw 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... Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful. Clutter weighs you down in many ways.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to be happy. But it's all 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 but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will
this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive but don't forget.
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. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does..
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38.. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
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. Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already have not what you need.
42. The best is yet to come...
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

I got this from facebook, but the actual post I think comes from this {Source}

blank page in a new book…

Have you heard that saying before? That January 1st is the first blank page in a new 365 day book?

At this point in my life, I hope so, I really do.

The weekend before New Year’s we spend a lot of time giving the house a really good cleaning and checking off a lot of our to do’s from our list that we never seem to make the effort to do.

The boys washed the screens all over the house and I cleaned the windows from the inside. BTW, window cleaning tip, equal parts rubbing alcohol and water… done!

We also put together the baby’s crib and shampooed the carpet in the entire house. Next time, we’re ripping out the carpet and putting down wood floors! I’m not even joking!

It felt good and it was our way of washing off the old to begin new.

I got to spend some time with my lil guy just me and him. I treated him to his first Icee, and probably his last. Don’t let this photo fool you, he didn’t like it much.

We took in a beautiful sunset right in our yard while I watered the grass.

We spent New Year’s with our friends and my son was so excited to be going to what he called a firework party.

This was the first year he really got into the fireworks and sparklers, usually he keeps to the pop pops and stays away from anything you light on fire.

Great, I think I have myself a fire bug.

Of course as tradition goes, we had mochi soup at midnight.

YUM!

We had a nice time and I for one am happy to say goodbye to 2012 and look forward to a brighter and different new year in 2013.

I have decided not to make resolutions or a list of goals for this year. We have so much going on and especially with the new baby on the way I don’t want to be tied to a list that I will constantly compare myself to.

Instead the only thing I want to work towards this year is enjoying and loving my family. I will not let myself get pressured to doing certain things by a certain time. I will not pressure myself with the little details. I will let go and let God guide me. My focus is my family and they come first, not making anyone else happy.

Here’s hoping for a better 2013 for my family and all of you!

oh for the love of kitchens....

I am just dying for this linky party over at Thrifty Decor Chick called Show Us Your house.

The theme right now is Kitchens!

I am L-O-V-I-N-G all the great ideas and inspiration I am getting!

Go check it out!



you light up my life...

I love candles. What can I say Im a romantic.

Love all the different glass candle stick holders.

Sorry no image source, if anyone knows where this one and the one below came from let me know so I can give the proper persons credit!

And look at all these brass, silver and metal ones, ooooh ahhh!

Image Source

Here's a cheap DIY idea, use empty wine bottles! I could totally do this, where my girls at? We need to suck back some wine this weekend!

(just kidding, I'm not that much of a wine-o)

Image Source

What a pretty idea for a wedding. 

 

Laundry Room Envy....

Is it possible to have laundry room envy?

For those of you who read my blog, you know that I dont have a laundry room and I want one so very much!

Check out these super cute ones on babble like this one...

I spy 3 applicances. I wonder how much laundry they have to do?

Check out other super cute laundry rooms {here}

Rainbow Hot Air Balloon Party from Hostess with the Mostess...

Hostess with the Mostess has the cutest Rainbow Hot Air Balloon party featured today.

Two things really caught my eye.

{ONE}

Check out that chandelier! Soooo cute!

and

{TWO}

Seriouslly, seeing those plastic balloons made me tingle with warm and fuzzies all over when I saw them.

It reminded me of my childhood where every year my birthday cake had those balloons on them.

I had no fancy party, no fancy cake, no favors and candy bars.

I love how evolved parties have become, but its so nice to remember the bare roots where the neighborhood kids would come over and you would shoot each other with the water hose, eat tuna sandwiches and have dream cake and that was it.

ahhhh... the memories....



what a week!

I have been anxious to share 2 things I got done over the weekend but I have had such a busy week so far that I havent had a chance to work on my post!

Anyway, its coming I promise but until then I just wanted to share a quote I got in an email from a friend of mine, its a nice reminder.

"No one is in charge of your happiness except for you"

Have a great day!

Good Reading...

Today I had the pleasure of reading two really great blog posts.

Both about relationships and both completely different as well and completely amazing at the same time.



I just had to share.

First one I have to share with my TV adicted husband who complains when after I've been lying in bed sleeping for an hour while he watched tv gets offended and upset when well... lets just say I dont give him the attention he wants.

(buddy, shoudda tried and hour ago)

Check it out over at The Idea Room

It's about keeping the sparks flying in your marriage.

It's got great advise about making time for your spouse, talking again, having date nite and turning off the tv.

The other article you'll find {here}

I cant even explain it

You just have to see for your self

Trust me... hysterical!

Happy Thursday Everyone!

Kitchen Inspiration...

I've had kitchen, kitchens and kitchens on my mind.
I wanted to redo my kitchen since we first moved in, but how can I justify spending money we dont really have to update a brand new kitchen?

Some of my inspiration comes from these places:

Photo Source

Photo Source

Photo source

Redoing your kitchen is such a HUGE task!

It's so intimidating to me!

First of all we just cant decide on our flooring are we gonna go with hardwood or tile?

I posted about our tile choices {here} but I kinda have a thing for really dark wood as well...

Why does it have to be so hard!

I started painting our walls so I guess we'll keep you updated on the progress!

after weekend vent session....and boobies

I've had a completely exhausting weekend... oh how I wish I had one more day to recover!!!

I have lots of little projects to share with all of you and so much to catch up on.

I got my sample of basic H2 cleaner that I won from a giveaway hosted by A bowl full of lemons, I so wanna tell you guys about that.

We changed out the light above our dinning room table and for a great deal.

I picked up a craigslist desk for $25 yay! I now have a place to craft instead of my bedroom floor!

I sometimes feel like I am caring for a 2 yr old going on 15, a 34 yr old going on 3 and lets not even get into mama drama and daddy drama...just plain old family drama. (btw none of the family drama is connected to the other, its all seperate)

And just all kinds of other little things that make our life so crazy and hecktic.

(all photos via google and all I'm feeling as my anthem right now)

But, this morning I read {this} post over at Hip Chick's Guide to PMS, Pregnancy and Babies!

Hanna from The Olive Parent is guest posting on her journey of breastfeeding all 7 YES SEVEN of her children.

I feel like she was telling my story!
I breastfed for exactly one year at that time my son decided that he was done breastfeeding. I didnt have to fight him he decided, and I was so greatful for that.

Breastfeeding was not an easy task for me. I knew the health benefits and I wanted that bonding experience with my son. Not to mention the cost of formula!

I had so much pain while breastfeeding and everyone told me thats how it is in the begining, it gets better. My son nursed every hour and a half and when he was done I was left with burning nipples to the point I was crying instead of a close bonding feeling that I thought I would have. It must have been over two months before we got diagnosed with Thrush. It was THE most painful experience ever. What hurt even more was thinking that my son was suffering because of it as well and that I missed out on that bonding feeling from the very begining. I was tired and cranky and lets just say it a bitch for a while.
It took two rounds of antibiotics and a week of blow drying my nipples before it cleared up. But when it did, breastfeeding was a breeze. I couldnt think of any other way to have it.

I have a smart, happy and healthy boy. (not to brag or anything) I feel so blessed to have been able to give him the gift of breasfeeding and to have had that closeness and bonding time.

Go read her story {here} if youre a mom who breastfed you can appreciate it.

I am:

Karma

Back in August I met an amazing woman. It was just for a few brief minutes and she was just a good samaritan who returned my lost wallet.

We were rushing off to my husband's family reunion and stopped at the store for the bbq and then made a quick stop at the bank to drop off a deposit. When we left the bank I put my wallet on the railing of the truck bed and when we drove off it fell into the road.

About a half hour later I got a call from my boss.

He said he got a call from a woman who found my wallet. She looked through my wallet and the only info she could find other than my name was my company credit card with the company name on it. She called the office and the answering machine gives my boss's cell number incase of emergencies. She called him and told him she found my wallet.

I called her and she was soooo sweet and I couldnt express to her how much I appreciated her making all that effort to return my wallet. She said her daugher once lost her wallet and she knows how it feels. We met up with her within 10 mins and I had my wallet back.

I tried giving her money and buying her lunch and she refused saying it was karma. She belived that when you do good things for people good things come back to you.

All I could give her was my thanks and a huge hug.

Today I just found out that she was diagnosed with stage 3 cervical cancer.

My heart goes out to her and her family.

My hubby came to my work place to bring me this bracelet that they are selling for $5 to help her and her family with the medical costs they have accumulated since starting radiation treatments.

If any of you want to help her and her family, email me at collectionsfrommyheart (at) gmail (dot) com I will be happy to mail a bracelet to you. Or if you would like to give any type of donation monetary or gifts they will also be holding a fundraiser softball tournament in August.

I belive that God will truly bless and heal this amazing woman!

too many ideas! not enough room!!!

So I mentioned a little while ago that Im trying to incorporate more color into our space. Right now we have black and grey. I have pops of red and pops of green from the little trinkets I have displayed here and there and the only problem that I've had jumping right in is that I cant decide what color to go with!!

I love the color red!
Its so bold and bright and somewhere I heard read provokes your brain into thinking you're hungry.

I also love green!
Its calm and beautiful and reminds me of the ocean.

But green and red together?! Bleh, makes me think of Christmas!

So what to do what to do?!
Thats why I havent been able to commit to a color yet.
I've been seeing soooo much inspiration on blogs all over and I think I have made up my mind..... drum roll please.... and the color choice goes to....

(images via swagbucks image search) 
Krylon pistachio and moss
Infact I'm stopping by Kmart today to pick up a few cans of spray paint!

Here's where I got a lot of inspiration from.
It all started with {this} post from cottage and vine.
She found a beautiful piece and can you belive it made it more gorgeous!

And then even more recently I know you must have seen {this} kitchen all over blogland, I know I've seen it all over as well. From FleaMarket Trixie this kitchen is soooo inspiring for me to get working on mine!

One more for Valentines!

I just had to add one more song for Valentines. I love this song and the story that goes along with it.

Enjoy!

Valentines Edition of 4M's..... ♥

Yay, super cool news from the 4M's (Monday Music Moves Me)
I was chosen as one in their "spotlight couple" so totally stoked (inset happy dance here)
I love music and this is such a fun party to participate in I love coming back every week so come on ya'll come and play too!




So today is Valentine's Day.
Throughout life I've had many different feelings towards this holiday.

At one point in my life my Valentines anthem was {this} song from Alanis Morissette and the modern day version from Cee Low {here}

(I'm posting just the links and not the videos due to well... profanity)

Is it because I'm happily married now for 10 years? maybe
Is it because I'm older and wiser? hehehe ok possible
Is it because I have realized that Valentine's doesnt have to be about getting a card in your locker from the guy you're crushing on, getting asked to dance at the high school dance or getting flowers sent to you at work infront of all your co-workers?
 I have found within myself that Valentine's Day should be to celebrate love no matter what the reason.
Love between friends, family or that special person.
Love can mean so many different things.

 

Here are some of my faves...

 

This one is for my hubby

I love this song for its words, because you're amazing just the way you are

I like this one cause it's so cute. And I'm totally crushing on Artie




These are classics, love them ♥





This one is adorable. makes me want to dance with my hubby.



And then dance with my hubby 20 years from now...

Do you feel the love??

Giveaway Winner.... and words of inspiration

It's Monday and what a hectic weekend it was.

I checked my email and I got this from a friend:

"Life is too short  to wake up with regrets..
So love the people who treat you right..
Forget about the ones who don't.   Believe everything  happens for a reason.   If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands.   If it changes your life, let it.   Nobody said life would be easy,
they just  promised it would be worth it. "

It's a favorite of mine and always a nice reminder.

Anyways, I thought it would be a nice way to start the week off... and speaking of a nice way to start the week... It's time to announce the winne of the CSN Stores giveaway!

Thank you all who participated and became new followers!

I cant belive all the entries we had!

So out of 62 entries... random.org has picked... drumroll please....

# 45 Liz said...

I tweeted!

(Liz I'll email you the code!)

Thanks Liz for tweeting and thank you all again for participating. Stick around for more giveways I promise.

I really enjoyed going to check out all of your blogs (the ones that had blogs) and getting to know all of you new followers. Even if I didnt comment you I did stop by and visit!


 

Resolutions and a LINKY PARTY

I find making New Year's Resolutions very hard.

Several years ago I made a resolution to loose 10 lbs. Sounds reasonable in 1 years time right?

By the end of the year I gained 10 lbs.

So the following year I made another resolution to loose 10 lbs.

Guess what? By the end of the year I gained another 10 lbs.

Well 20 lbs and a few years later I still have those extra pounds, but I also have a child and I'm healthy and happy. Was my resolution unrealistic? No

So what was my problem?

I had no plan, no goals.

Will I be setting myself up for disapointment if I make New Year's Resolutions again this year?

I decided to do things different.
I am not making any New Year's Resolutions
instead I will be making GOALS.

In 2011 I plan to:

Not procrastinate
Live more positive
De-Clutter, De-Stress & Simplify
Love my family and spend as much time as I can with them
Find more balance
Organize
Update my Blog
Work on my Esty shop
Learn PSE8

Those are just a few of the things that I plan to work on this year.

What are your goals or resolutions for 2011?
How do you plan on keeping them?

Share your ideas!
Link up and visit others and help encourage each other to stay on track.
Cause we all need a buddy sometimes.

Huge Heart; Little Fella

3 years ago one of my dear friends from high school gave us the news that her 23 month old son was diagnosed with cancer. How do you move forward from receiving that kind of news?
And as a friend how do you be there for someone going through something like this?

Its been a long journey for their family.

Here is their daughter Zoe and son Xander.

Alicia has been such a wonderful and dedicated mother through the entire process.

Everytime I saw their updates my heart would go out to them.

Their courage made me feel like anything is possable.

And then three years later a truly amazing thing happened.

Xander got his purple heart.

This purple heart means that he is at the end of his treatments.

What does all of that mean?

Read about Beads of Courage on CBS News

Alicia and her husband David are amazing.

They have stayed strong and loving and positive for their family and friends too.

See their story here at KGMB news.

I just wanted to say CONGRATULATIONS to Xander and Alicia and David and Zoe for all they have accomplish and inspired through their journey!

God has truly blessed this family!

Im joining pour your heart out.

DIY headboard.... boring wall inspiration update...

So on Tuesday, I told you all about my boring, blah, blank wall in my bedroom.

I saw a diy project on turning a door into a tufted headboard and wanted that, but then i saw this.....

Brooke over at All Things Thrify has this really great tutorial on how to make this headboard. Tufted headboard out of a door.... completely out the window... HELLO fabric upholstered block headboard!

I love it, wonder if I can convince the hubs to let me do it...????? Hi Ho Hi Ho its off to fabric.com I go!!!

Check out Brooke's blog for more amazing ideas. Check out her week of chairs sooo cute!