Yesterday morning in church Emily asked for paper an a pen. She likes to "write" during the preaching. (Maybe because she's watched me take notes?) So I pulled a notepad from my bag and a pink ink pen. After several minutes I looked over to see what she was writing. She wasn't. Writing, that is. She was drawing. She was holding her hand in front of the pad, with three fingers in the air, and drawing! I do believe I have an artist on my hands!!

It thrills me every time I see her doing something like this. She is quite talented, even at five. I am going to do all that I can to encourage her to develop this talent (if she desires to do so).

Can't Wait! Can't Wait!

I'm letting my inner child play. Sound silly? I certainly hope so! *VBG* Who made the rule that you have to stop having fun and being silly when you grow up?

Come on, little Hopie.....let's go play.......

Aw MAAAAAAAN!

I'm sitting here thinking about this weekend. Our annual Memorial Day picnic at church is Sunday afternoon. Food and fun. Then Monday we're going to another Memorial Day bash. More FOOD and fun. :) I am going to have to really watch what I eat. I will NOT gain back the few pounds I've already lost! I won't....I won't....I won't.... :D

Encouragement

What do you do, or where do you turn, when you need a boost of encouragement? I don't remember what I did before the internet. There is such a wealth of information at our fingertips, and I was just wondering if we utilize it in a nurturing way. Something to think about! :)

I messed up

And now I'm beating myself up. I've been going to Weight Watchers several weeks now, and have done really good so far. I just blew it. I am an emotional eater, and although I've done very well controlling my urges, today was horrible. I've been a little upset about something, and I threw all my self-control out the window and binged big-time on cookies and milk. And of course, now I feel miserable. Ahhhhh....All I can hope is that tomorrow will be a better day.

Empowerment

Noun: empowerment
The act of conferring legality or sanction or formal warrant

I feel empowered this week to do things I haven't done in a long time. And what exactly is empowerment? It is when we give ourselves authorization. WOW! That is awesome. We have the power to either stop ourselves from going for what we want, or pushing through the barriers to move forward with our goals.

Here's your authorization. Do what you want to do today!

Life's Accomplishments

I was given an assignment this week to create two lists. The first is a list of my "wants." The second is a list of my life's accomplishments (great and small). I was pretty leery of this assignment. I figured that my list of wants would grow like Pinocchio's nose. I didn't think I'd be able to think of any accomplishments to write down.

When I opened a blank file and began typing, I amazed even myself. You see, after writing a handful of "wants" down, I couldn't think of much more! So I opened a new file for my "accomplishments." To my delight, I began remembering things I've done that I'd forgotten about.

You see, I've been so focused on what I'm not doing, that somewhere along the way, I've lost sight of all the things I've already accomplished in my lifetime! I am humbled, and yet excited. Because I can see where I've come from and I see the path ahead of me.

Are you feeling a bit blue with your present situation? Feeling like you will never be what you want to be, or do what you want to do? Sit down now and create a list of your life's accomplishments.

Rejuvination

Have you ever experienced a moment in time when it seemed as though the entire universe clicked its heels just for you?

I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that God has heard my prayer. I have my first assignment. I am a woman on a mission. Stand back and watch me roar!

Sunday Brunch

I happened upon this one last week, and thought it might be fun. So here goes:

My Favorite Things

1. What is your favorite color? RED!

2. What is your favorite piece of clothing? pajamas

3. Where is your favorite place to eat out? Fazoli's

4. What is your favorite meal? Baked Spaghetti

5. What is your favorite sport or recreational game?Volleyball

Step up to the microphone, please...

Do you blog hop? Do you visit the same blogs regularly? Do you have a favorite blog(s)? When your favorite bloggers don't blog regularly, do you still find yourself clicking like a blog-crazed maniac for a new post? Or do you just give up and never go back again?

Where are these questions coming from? My own blog-hopping-craziness! :)

No news is no news

For some reason, I've felt lack of inspiration to blog this week. So instead, I've practiced the art of refilling my well each day. I've created several wonderful mini pieces of art, using my watercolors. I'll be posting them on my Treasures blog every now and again.

Hiatus

I've been on a short leave of absence. A break. A rest. A brief time out.

I needed to regroup and gather my thoughts. After dealing with the baby being sick for several days, I was stretched and pulled to every limit, and then some!

Monday Rob came home and shoved me out of the house. He knew I needed some time to myself. All it took was a few minutes. I took my laptop outside, sat on the swing underneath the oak trees, and started writing. Fifteen minutes later, I had three completed articles. They still need editing, of course. I felt absolutely fabulous that I'd create these pieces in such a short amount of time. There's no telling what I can do if I could just find a few free minutes each day!

Seven Years Ago Today I...

...was young.
...was carefree.
...was outgoing.
...was happy.
...was in love.
...got married.

Seven years ago at this time my best friend, sister, and I realized that nobody had made rice bags for the wedding. My head covered in pink and purple hot sticks, we jumped in the car, and drove to Hobby Lobby. We made it there before they opened, and sat in the car waiting for the doors to open. We went in and bought tulle, ribbon, and a white wicker basket to hold the confetti bags. Then we ran back to the house and set in to make the tiny pouches.

What sweet memories!

Cool Find

For all you creative beings out there, someone was kind enough to share this link with me, so I'm passing it on to you! So much fun!! Don't get addicted. ;)

Refrigerator Poetry

art

This really has nothing to do with writing, I suppose, but I'm going to share anyways. I just finished 2 Cup of Hope RAK cards that was ordered this week. I'm so excited about the finished product! Instead of making my cards in bulk, I've placed some samples online, and then when I get an order, I make a special card, just for the person that is being RAK'd. It's a wonderful, giddy feeling, knowing that these cards I make are going to be in someone else's hands in a few days. They will be cheered with a message of kindness. I can just imagine the smiles on their faces now...

BOO!

Okay, I admit it. I've been hiding out. It seems like I've been in a whirlwind for about a week now. The dust is finally settling, and I'm kicking my booty into high gear. I have To Do lists coming out of my nose. Hopefully with any luck, I'll get half of it done today.

The kids are both fussy and grouchy. Emily is dealing with a terrible bout of allergies (wonder where she got that from?) and Elijah is still trying to cut teeth. Although the two bottom teeth are out, they've just bared popped from under the surface of the skin. So he's still uncomfortable from that.

Yesterday's episode of Starting Over was interrupted by the probing into the abuse scandal. Now I realize that this is a real issue, with merited concern. But I need my STARTING OVER, people!!

I sat here playing with my Word Web trying to find the right word to use to describe the way I feel today. I found the perfect word.

thwarted
PRONUNCIATION: thwortud

Adjective:
         1. Disappointingly unsuccessful

Verb: thwart
         1. Hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of

I am thwarting myself. I know this. I've known it for some time. So why do I continue doing this to myself?

Makin' it through

Well, it's nearing 2:30 and I haven't received a call from Robert yet. Maybe they will pass his unit again. It certainly is tiresome on my mind to worry like I have been. I think they should keep quiet if they really don't know anything, until they have definite concrete news!

So yesterday was weigh-in day and I lost 1/2 pound. I knew I wouldn't lose much, if any, because I had a terrible week last week. I'm having a much better day today. There's something about feeling like you have a fresh start.

Dread

Okay, I know I went through this same routine last week, but I really mean it this week. Today's weigh-in day, and I know I've gained at least 2 of my 5.5 pounds from last week back. I didn't even do good HALF of this week. I did horrible every day. I've got to do better this week.

Got time?

If you have some extra time on your hands, go check out Keri Smith's website for some interactive serendipitous fun (flash required).

Capturing Memories

I got the kids' pictures yesterday, and they are so good! Unfortunately my scanner doesn't work, so I can't scan and share with you right now. I said I wasn't going to spend extra money on a bunch of pictures, but.......well.......I fibbed! All in all, for what I paid and what I got, I definitely got my money's worth! You just can't put a price on memories!

Pins and Needles

When Robert got home last night, he informed me that they told him at drill this weekend to be expecting a phone call this week. They also told them to be prepared to be gone for 18-24 months, and that their destination will be Iraq. Now I was fine until he said that. Then I cried a little. For my son. Elijah is only 6 months old. If Robert were to be gone for two years, Elijah would not remember him. Yes, I can show him pictures and talk about his daddy to him, but that's not the same as seeing him every day.

So now I must put my game face on. Yes, if he has to go to Iraq I'll worry about him. But if he has to go, I want our time together now to be good. I don't want him to leave and have him worry about me the entire time he's away. I want him to leave knowing that I will be okay, and that his family will be right here waiting for him when he returns home to us.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

aMusings is one year old today.

Interesting Find

There is a Journal Genie that can analyse your journal entries. Supposedly it will help you help yourself. :) What will they come up with next?