Get the Best of Being Miserable

Misery is the cold wind that keeps the covers up too long, the flow of tears dripping on your broken heart. It lurks through the lives of the rich and the poor. Moving slowly, creeping and crawling to the weak and unsuspecting. The battle is not a hard one. It usually succeeds with silent attacks, and stays beyond the treaty. Consuming, depressing, and addicting it feeds on us. The chefs that prepare this hearty feast are me, you, him, and her.

Her life is perfect because she was born with a silver spoon in her mouth, and I with a tarnished one stuck to my nose. He has a dream house, car, and wife in his perfect life, but mine is shrouded with misfortune. My dreams will never come true. You can’t tell me they will, and yours won’t come true either. We can’t rely on anything because it never works as intended. Take marriage for instance, it fail 50 % of the time. What’s the point?

The bottom line of it is, that silver-spooned girl got shipped around to boarding schools, and never really saw her parents or felt their love. That guy living the perfect life, well, his perfect wife is having an affair, and he unknowingly foots the bill. Oh, and about dreams not coming true, just ask Martin Luther King Jr., Nancy Kerrigan, or Walt Disney what they think, and I am sure you will find other opinions. Look at the marital statistic upside down; that means 50% of marriages succeed.

As you can see, I used extreme examples. He or she may have a wonderful life, but he or she may have worked hard to achieve it.

Don’t sweat the small stuff, don’t judge a book by its cover, and sure maybe the grass is always greener. Can I throw anymore clichés at you to prove my point? Sweating less saves shirts, you might actually read a fantastic book, and maybe your grass just needs a little fertilizer.
The next time you find yourself plagued with poor me syndrome, take three steps back. Inhale for five seconds, and think (or say out loud depending where you are), "such is the way things are." Then exhale for five seconds; do this three times (it may require 9, 12, or 15 times in extreme cases).You should notice that each time you will say it a little slower; a little calmer. Now you will subconsciously accept that there is nothing you can do to reverse the situation, and handle it accordingly, maybe even pleasantly.

As soon as possible, grab a piece of paper and a pen (if you’re in the middle of a battle with the produce manager or your boss, this can wait until you get home). Write down five positive things you have in your life currently. EVERYONE has them! These items can be as small your dog that excitedly greets you at the door every night, to your health having never failed you. I’m willing to bet that once you get going, you will fill an entire page. Once this is done, the next time you encounter those gifts, they will be more meaningful, last a few minutes longer, and become your security.

The next step is to be genuinely happy for other people! He gets a promotion; assume he deserves it. She gets engaged; assume she is marrying for love. This world is stuffed with gigantic, yet sensitive egos, which love a little stroke every now and again. Come on…admit it…yours does too. Well, you get what you give. If you haven’t called them, then why should they have called you?

Listen to your friends, remember important events in their lives, and then TELL them how happy you are for them, or that you just happened to be thinking of them. Run through the open doors of sincere love and valued friendship; slam the doors to accidently losing touch and unnecessary loneliness.

Quick tips to banish misery:

Abolish negative thoughts.
Never say can’t; that’s just code for won’t.
Don’t take yourself so seriously.
Search for positive quotes that motivate you, and post them wherever you can see them.
Exercise! It releases natural happy chemicals, called endorphins.
Surround yourself with positive people; avoid becoming misery’s company.
Smile at him, her, and everyone!
Build a bridge and get over it! (Sometimes we need a little tough love. You are the enforcer. )

Please keep in mind these are not techniques for severe or clinical depression. Only a doctor can be the judge of that course of treatment. However, in combination with the doctor’s orders, these tips can certainly boost your success.

Follow these rules, and I promise you, you will see a difference. Life will seem easier, color will be brighter, and the cool crisp wind will make you sit up and breathe deeper ready for a new day.

Highly Recommended.....

Spoiler warning....I do talk about some things in the book below, so if you have read it, read on, if not, maybe come back after you have. It's an amazing book!

My reaction to “When the Emperor was Devine” leaves me with more questions than anything else. To start, I picked up the book with the intention of reading a little every night. After the first 5 pages, I knew that wasn’t going to be the case. Three hours later I was putting it back down, finished, and sat for 5 minutes in silence and awe. I never knew. How could I have not known these things happened within the walls of our own country whose very foundation was built for freedom? How could these actions have happened in direct violation of almost every section of our own “Bill of Rights” that was signed 253 years earlier? Habeas Corpus anyone? I couldn’t help but to peak around at some of the statistics surrounding these camps and found some numbers; 120,000 Japanese descendents, some citizens and some not taken with what they could carry and forced to live in inhumane camps on U.S. soil. Imagine what would have happened in this country if September 12th, 2001, our government rounded up all the Middle Eastern members of our communities and placed them in those barracks. It would have been mayhem!
One of the main themes I saw was fear. Fear that does not discriminate any race, culture, or religion. The fear that there is imminent danger; the fear for life. America was afraid; it had never seen such an attack. They were terrified of a repeat or worse. The Japanese (in America) were scared to be themselves. Scared to practice their religion, have “slanted eyes” that could not be hidden and scared to die for crimes they did not commit. Our soldiers were scared they would be the next to lie bleeding in a field, watch their comrades die and never be able to return to American soil. If we take away sides (of the War), reasons, morals, race, religion and belief, we have 2 groups of people directly affected. We have our American POW’s (and soldiers) sent to fight a heroic battle. They laid on cots, floors, or maybe even nothing for days, months, years. They prayed to God to return home, to stay alive, and to have peace. Then we have the Japanese members sent to these camps that lay on iron cots in barracks for days, months, years. They prayed to God to return home, to stay alive, and to have peace. Then their prayers are answered. They go home. Parades ensued for our troops (and rightfully so, please note, that I believe in harming no one and am in no way, shape or form underplaying the torture that POW’s and other service men endured), welcome arms, and the safety of American grounds. The members of the “internment camps” sent home, the ones who had them left. What remained for them? FEAR. Fear that their house would be burned while they slept, fear that they would never have a job and fear that life was over even though they still took breath.
Our world has committed this act before (and I’m sure known to us or not it is still done in parts of this sorted world). We have seen it in Germany with the mass murdering of the Jews, in the witch hunts throughout Europe and the early colonies (most famously Salem, MA), and as far back as enslaving the Hebrews in Egypt. It is part of our history, but it is stories like this that have inspired me to become an attorney. To be the voice for the people who don’t have one in a forum that was otherwise unavailable to them be they black, white, Japanese, Dutch, Islam, Christian, housewives, business men, soldiers, children, or animals. We can never stand up and be a great nation if we become what we fight against or react on fear alone.

I've been a bad girl....

I have not been posting much, and I am missing it! I hope you have enjoyed what I have been able to come up with. Thanks for your patience. Let's see, with me, there is tons of homework. Then there's running back and forth to the bus stop, which I know doesn't sound very hard, but it really is. I spend more time waiting for the bus than anything else. Then Haley gets off the bus with her little friend Olivia. Separating these two is like separating Cheech and Chong. (Sorry, first thing that came to my mind, I don't even know if I spelled it right. I've never actually seen one of their movies.) Haley has homework now which is great fun. What the hell happened to simple things? I hope with all these weird ways of teaching we end up with a better generation than whats running us now. I will not go political. OK, just one thing.....WHAT THE HELL?

So, I hope these thoughts are coming out in some form of semblance because I am very tired, and have no idea what I'm talking about. I guess that's a warning if you want to keep reading. I have two papers due this week, so I may jump by the end of the week. I think I may have started one, I'll have to check into that. The Golden Girls always make me feel better, and they are right now. I really can't help myself, I just friggin love this show!!!!!! Even Andy was standing in the bedroom doorway (after saying he was going to bed because they weren't funny), and giggled for about 10 minutes before I busted him watching. Too funny. Wow, I feel like I am just typing and I don't even know what I was talking about the sentence before. No really, I don't. I am that tired, and really need to go to bed, but my mind won't shut up so now you have to hear all about it. Maybe it will help me sleep if it all comes out.

I wish I could find a magic lantern, similar to Aladdin's, so I could solve a few problems around here, and I don't just mean in my house. I mean I would use at least one of the wishes to help the world as a whole. Shouldn't that count for something? A lucky stroke maybe?

So McElwain family challenge update....it's been a while. Andy is down 17lbs, looking good Baby! Roxy (the dog) was down 3lbs, but she was desperate last week, and got into the trash one too many times, and gained a half a pound. I weigh out in the morning, so I can update that then. It will give me a reason to post, well maybe, if it's good news, LOL. I don't know how though, unless Red Bull really has made me a speed freak and the running around like a chicken with it's head cut off is working (why do we say that? It doesn't paint a very pretty picture...). We shall see I suppose.

Okey dokey, well I'm off to watch G.G. and laugh some more calories off. I have been quite negative lately, so I will end on a positive note because I need to get back into that, and learn how to relax.....

"Stress is nothing more than a socially acceptable form of mental illness." ~Richard Carlson
Quote from www.quotegarden.com

Is that true?

I warn you, I was too tired to re-read this, so I have no idea what it says. I will bless you with a spell check as not to annoy the people like me who those sort of things annoy. Peace.

Walden Pond (Concord, MA)

“I went to the woods to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life. And see if I could not learn what it had to teach. And not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.” This may be Henry David Thoreau’s inspiration for coming here, but I went to the woods in flip flops, and then got lost with my two year old daughter in tow. As we went deeper and deeper through the roads less traveled, I still didn’t know where we were going, but I stopped wondering or even caring.
Walden Pond itself is a still, calm openness. A tranquil intermission amidst a world in constant battle with Father Time; protected in a bubble of woods that are thick enough to block out the sounds of trucks, sirens, and horns. It is open to guests all year to enjoy picnicking, hiking, swimming, canoeing, and cross-country skiing. Imagine this hidden treasure less than 20 miles out of Boston, right off Rt. 2, but what you experience is innocence, peace, and time. What water park can offer that with parking at just $5 a day?
On the path in front of you are thousands of footprints, each one erasing the last, but in the forbidden nature to the right and left are woods and banks that haven’t been impeded by a heavy foot or disturbed by shoe treads in hundreds of years. Trees have fallen, yet no one knows if they made a sound. A couple of small beaches line the pond, and I noticed the remnants of a sandcastle from a very talented upcoming builder that included half a mote and a guest house in the back. Drifting mid-pond is a lone fisherman in his canoe with his lure cast, and patiently waiting for a tug. An older couple strolls by holding hands, talking, laughing, enjoying the finer side of life, and each other. Passing faces greet you with a friendly smile. The paths wind and turn and every new bend brings a new image of light, color, and perspective. With the rest of the world silenced, you are free to hear the birds chirping, chipmunks scurrying, and distant laughter as children create the purest memories.
The biggest draw to this sight is the exact location in which Thoreau spent his time. A pile of rocks sits beside the buried foundation on which Thoreau’s one room cabin stood. People have left painted rocks, written notes on them (One read, “In memory of the truth that rests inside you, Thank you.”), and there in the middle of the rubble lay an old leather bound book which was now only the tattered and worn cover and the unattached bindings. “Go thou my incense upward from this hearth” reads the stone where his chimney had smoked 163 years earlier, and you could almost feel his spirit whirl as the wind managed to slip through the thick wood and pass by the nape of your neck.
Before realizing that we had been out there for hours, and my daughter had given up on walking, I stood where his front door had been and saw what he saw upon waking in the morning, “Simplicity! Simplicity! Simplicity!” Then as I drove back onto to the bustling Rt. 2 and someone was nice enough to cut me off, I wondered if I should just turn around and go back in.

Memories....

Within minutes of my mom dropping me off for the night, my Gramps and I were out the door to get some Brigham’s Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream and him a Vanilla Frappe (always vanilla!). We would take the dog to Oakley Country Club to run around and chase the squirrels. On the way home, my task was always to get the jimmies that had fallen off my ice cream unstuck from the leather seat before he saw them (he has a thing for clean vehicles). It was about 7pm, so that meant off to “bed” for Gramps, a.k.a. he would watch a game if it’s on, but Court TV if there wasn’t; all the while the dog at the bottom of the bed. When you’re little, nothing beat jumping onto the bed with a 250lb 6’3” man and wrestling around knowing he was the gentlest giant. It always started the same, we’d wrestle and then he would sing, “The three of us, the three of us, It’s a good thing there isn’t anymoooooooore of us!” in his big booming voice. Me, him and the dog, that’s all that mattered to him at that moment. Then when he’d get tired he would turn serious. “You know, Jackie, I want you to always remember what side of the family your bread is buttered on; who has always taken care of you.” I always responded the same, “I know Grampa.” And I did, he wasn’t being mean, he was being honest. Then he would politely kick me out of the room. On my way out I was sure to grab my Grandmother’s make-up kit, combs, brushes, and hairspray. It was makeover time for Grammie! The chair she sat in by the fireplace was perfect, I fit right behind it. She read her millionth book and sipped her wine as I combed, teased, and sprayed enough hairspray in to seal cement (She always managed to get a hair appointment the next day). I would put on her blush, eye shadow, and lipstick; layer after layer after layer, she never missed a sentence in her book. We didn’t talk much, we didn’t have to. That was our time and then it was bed time. In other words, my time to hide so I didn’t have to go to bed! I remember one night it took her a half hour to find me. I was getting better at hiding, in the shower I sat for what seemed like forever, but a half hour passed bed time none the less. After that off I went, you don’t argue with Grandma, you won’t win, but I never had trouble falling asleep.

The look girls wait a lifetime for...

Very handsom Mr. Nick and Lil' Miss Ashley

My (very short and to the point) VMA Review

In the way of performers...

Britney Spears...I know she didn't, but she just should have!

Rihanna...simply phenomenal!!! Both performances, sexy yet classy.....very good!!!

Kid Rock...I love him. I love his voice, his attitude (but don't get me wrong - he would make and awful husband, but to grab a beer with...hell ya!!!)

Jonas Brothers...I just feel awkward, they are like 12. They put on a good show? (I was just thankful they kept Miley Cyrus to a minimum!!)

Paramore....they were good. The lead singer is cute! Brave girl to wear bright yellow pants, but at least they weren't spandex!

Katy Perry...she is just Adorable! I love her spirit and that as he made her own outfit from finds at a thrift store.

Christina Aguilera...WORST OF THE NIGHT! She looked awful, you could tell she was
lip synching, and shiny spandex....and no effort....I seriously don't know why
she isn't being compared to Britney from last year....gross!!!!!!!

Pink...BEST OF THE NIGHT!!!!!!!! She was FABULOUS and FIERCE!! She is my alter ego, if I could only find a way to set that free...hmmmmmmmmm. BEST BEST BEST!!!!!!!!!!

I know there were more, but that's all I can remember.......

Phew

Well, I have officially been sitting at my computer since 10 o'clock this morning. OK so there was a 2 hour break. Still...11 hours! So now I know know why it didn't happen for me 10 years ago. I didn't have 11 hours to spare! I had much more important things to do. Yeah right, but anyway...I better get good grades or I am going to punish myself severely. Here's hoping the half of brain is still working tip top and doesn't implode or otherwise from information overload! I did get a lot accomplished though, including reading the Constitution. I don't think I have ever read something so confusing...oh that's not true...Beowulf! That was an awful experience....

Have I mentioned yet that I now need glasses to read. I actually have a hard time seeing small writing! One more notch in the age belt, that and I need to color my hair because the grays are flying high. My Mother-in-Law did tell me I look like a naughty librarian in them though, so I guess that's a good thing. I will have to have to let the clip out and give the lock longs a sexy shake....ha ha ha....can glasses actually be sexy? Let's hope so!

I probably don't even make sense right now...so I'll trail off here.......

So Frickin Excited!!!!!

If you don't like celebs or Britney Spears...turn you cheek. SHE FRICKIN WON @ THE VMA'S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am soooooooooooooooo excited. She still has one to go, but I just cna't contain myself and Andy just keeps laughing at me....

SHE LOOKS SO GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Newest name painting...in all the confusion I almost forgot to share....I think, so If i have, sorry, I am getting older by the minute....

Still working on her brother's! Any day now!! Fingers crossed...

Introducing.......

Just something I had to write.....feedback welcomed!

I had 2 events happen to me recently to make me look to my future and see how cloudy the crystal ball was looking. I decided there was only one person who could clear it and that was me. So here I go to meet my best possible future with no chance of settling for uncertainty. My fascinations are both creative and methodical which can be a curious combination. Quotes are my keys to wisdom and my motivation that someone was thoughtful enough to say out loud (then someone was good enough to remember it and write it down). Over the last few years, I have overcome my own negativity to open my mind, allow in the positive, and finally take a few deep breaths. Every so often falling in the pity pit, but conscious enough of it to let myself mope (my wise Grandma calls it “ the 24 Poor Me’s”) and then turn around and try again.
My personality does not differ much from my interests. I am confident yet humble, highly passionate yet laid back, and controlling yet flexible. I hold high expectations of others, but none surpass what I expect from myself. No one can beat me as hard as I can. I have finally reached a point where no is not an option, clarity is the key, and I am the answer to all of my problems. I love to write about personal experiences as well as others’ unselfish enough to be nice human beings without the discrimination of the recipient. The Celebrity Lifestyle is my secret obsession, for some reason I just cannot help myself. Politics is both fascinating and terrifying. Law is intriguing; the who, what, where, why, and how can we change it to better or evolve our society.

I suppose that is me in a tiny pink nutshell.

2 Truths and a Lie
1. I speak 3 languages
2. I can wiggle my ears
3. I have 7 pets.

Can you guess?

1st Day of 1st Grade!

There she goes, my not so little chickadee. She was so cute! The morning started off a little shaky. I got up extra early to make her bacon, eggs, and toast (she talks too much at lunch and sometimes doesn't eat enough) and I wake her up very nicely (which usually fades off by November) and she says she has a stomach and isn't hungry. Luckily it was just nerves, but my beautifully made breakfast with many droplets of love went to waste. Alas the rest of the morning was fine. She did, however, reach the point of being embarrassed of her parents showing her any kind of affection in front of her peers. Luckily, Andy thought to ask, "Is it OK if we kiss you when the bus gets here?" She says, "NO!" What the? I can't even kiss my baby in front of all her friends??? But why? So we had to give her kisses while we waited for the bus as not to embarrass the little cherub. Oh she is too much! Can we say high maintenance?

But she did so good and she had a good day so that's all that matters! All to get up and do it again tomorrow (probably minus the camera in her face)!

Tomorrow is the Day but it has Already Begun

I have officially completed some school work!!! And so far I get it. Such good tidbit to know that Chapter One hasn't thrown me into another confused universe. Even wrote a bit of my first writing assignment. Maybe I will share it later...it is so hard to know what they are looking for! Especially when I don't know them. Beneath my terrified exterior I am uber excited on the inside!!! So funny to be sitting here reading and taking notes...and I will be starting school the same day as my daughter...ha ha ha. Life is funny sometimes. Deep breath in.....exhale......Tomorrow, September 3rd, 2008, is the first day of the rest of my new life as yet another new character in my own mini-series of life.

Last Day of Freedom

My To Do list is now 3 pages long and instead of working on it I am here writing. Go figure. Oh well, I have all day right. I shouldn't be totally bad, I have already crossed off a couple things so I am headed in the right direction. Next step is to walk away from the computer and get going on the rest. We have beautiful weather and no excuses. Here's to a day full of Back to School haircuts, phone calls for unanswered questions, and cleaning my butt off. I need this house clean if I expect myself to not clean instead of study. No distractions!!! Haley goes off to 1st grade tomorrow which i can't even believe. Where have the years gone. If I had started this journey when she was born I would be done by now...ha ha ha. But I never would have been ready so it probably wouldn't have gone well. Better late than never.......off to get it all done!!!

"Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort.”
Paul J. Meyer quotes

26 + 1

My little Haley and my Mom, "Gigi", make me some cupcakes. They came out soooooo good. So cute. They were delicious too!

I'm officially 27. Good news is I don't feel any older...ha ha ha. Great stuff this weekend. My hubby is taking me accessory shopping against his better judgement, but that's what you get when you can't figure out what to get me. I mean really, it's not that hard. LOL. Oh well, a nice afternoon of shopping never made me unhappy. Then off to the Redneck Party at Lisa & Helder's house. That always produces great photos! Have a happy, fun, and very safe long holiday weekend everyone!!!!!!!!!

And Thank you to everyone for my Birthday wishes!!!!! I appreciate it more than you could know.........

"Wisdom doesn't necessarily come with age.Sometimes age just shows up all by itself."

Tom Wilson

Fly by Night

Picture this...my backyard this afternoon. Me, Andrew, and Ashley out in the backyard. Here comes Santana (a kitty that lives in our basement...explain later) with a bird in his mouth. So there goes Andy chasing Santana in to the back yard....he comes in...I go chasing...the dogs go chasing....Santana stops and huddles over his little prize. I get just close enough and off he goes over the fence....with the bird. So Andy sneaks up and catches him off guard by throwing a rock....he runs to the bird (I run into the house to get gloves!!). The bird flies up into the tree...safe at last.

Nope, the dumb ass flew back down to the ground and got snatched back up about 20 seconds later by quite the little hunter kitty (Santana) and then off to the other side of the street he went. About 20 minutes later back he comes bird still in mouth minus a few feathers. Andrew corners him and he drops the poor lil thing. Santana takes off. We finally have the bird....but where did he go?

We found the hiding space a few minutes later and the little birdie is taking refuge in the shed. That was our excitement from the night and it had a happy ending.....

One Full Plate

That is what I have ahead of me. Four courses filled with reading and writing and a little more writing. I may be headed to the nearest bridge before we know it, but at least I will be more educated when I get there....ha ha ha. Wow, how long things seem when you look at them from the beginning. You know that road trip that you thought was going to be so great, but then half way to your destination you wish you were high in the sky eating mega salty peanuts and freezing from your neighbors AC vent. Well here starts my cross country road trip and my plane left 9 years ago. I'm excited though. For the first time I actually want to learn. Now there is a concept. Wanting to learn. I wish there was a way to explain to kids how much easier it would be to do the right thing the first time around. Unfortunately, they don't get it (some do and those people are already making the big bucks), but I suppose it's more valuable as a hard lesson and maybe my girls will watch how hard it is and do it right the first time. Here's hoping, but come next Wednesday I think my only hope will be making it through first semester and what my grades look like......

“The road of life twists and turns and no two directions are ever the same. Yet our lessons come from the journey, not the destination.”
the_write_one
Don Williams Jr.

No Calculator for Me

Just a piece of paper and a pencil that was half sharp. The instructor was nice enough to be a half hour late, but I did manage to get somewhat through and certainly landed in a place I can handle. Glad to know I haven't lost brain function. Then the Financial Aid people were pleasant and just looked at me with blank stares through all of my questions. Still much paperwork and figuring out to do, but I think tomorrow a few things will come together. Registration, insurance, my head...maybe....etc. I am crossing tons of things off my infamous To Do list, but then I add like 50 more. So goes life and staying with Buddha..."Such is the way things are." And such is the way I have made them for myself.

So how's that go...."Today is the first day of the rest of your life." Well here goes.......

Today's Life Lesson.....

"Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it."
Buddha

Could there possibly be any more paperwork?

And could I have possibly waited till any later to upheave the whole thing and start over? Oh my. So I have to take a Math test in the morning. I could kick myself square in the ass for at least not having completed Freshman Math. So I deserve this. I thought maybe all those times we thought teachers were lying to us telling us that we really will use this stuff in real life, that maybe it was possible we were all wrong and it would have come in handy in some random way. I will say that working in sales and many hours shopping help with the decimal point and percentage stuff. I am pretty capable of handling the adding and subtracting portion too, however, then there came the fractions. What the hell are they? I will tell you. They were put in this world just to confuse me. I mean really, I like to think that I am a halfway intelligent person. I just don't get it. Then again, I don't understand any of the Matrix movies either, so maybe we shouldn't go on my assumptions. I have officially stuffed my brain with as much info as possible the night before the test. I haven't worked out in a couple days and I think I may need to have a good one before heading off tomorrow. I think I am just so afraid they are going to retract it all and send me down the chute and back to 3rd grade. Please say I can use my calculator!!!!!!!

Fave Pic Time

I wonder how many times before I finish (a loooong time from now) I will want to quit...ha ha ha

"You already possess everything necessary to become great."

Crow Proverb

And I think with my head spinning that this quote is sticky note worthy somewhere front and center for me to see. Maybe a few sticky notes. I am out of control. I always do this. Wait till the last minute and then go "crap" and run around like a chicken with my head cut off. This situation is no different. Nothing can be easy, not if I have anything to do with it anyway. You have this but not that. Come all the way down here so you can sign a form for all these changes, all to have the wonderful woman that helped me click right into her little computer and change it lickity split. While your hear you thought you could drop off financial aid papers to make life easier. No, you'll need to fill that out online, but then after that (and only after that) fill these papers out and bring them back. There has to be an easier system? Oh well, I have done as much as I can for today and tomorrow I will have 5 new battles, but one by one I am getting there...I think. Just pray for me that there isn't some brick wall waiting for my face somewhere in this maze. Ugh, the desk that I just unburied is now buried again...ho hum.......

"I don't want to get to the end of my life and find that I have just lived the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well. "
Diane Ackerman

Oh My Anniversary

Was lovely! We went to Salem, Ma and then went to Gloucester and walked around a bit in the cute little stores. Then we went to dinner at a beautiful restaurant in Groton and even sat on the same side of the booth, ooh la la...ha ha ha. I meant to think, we were borderline canoodling...lol. No joking, it really was the best we've had yet!! I could have a million more days like that......

Hurry up, then wait, then change your mind completely

And so I have. Completely changed my mind about what kind of school and what program; changed my mind about everything. What school, what type of degree, and oh boy. I think my head might be spinning just a little. Actually I know it is considering I have had at least 6, count them six, wanna put my head in an oven, six panic attacks today. I thought it was all over the Math test I have to take at 9am tomorrow morning (that's right Math, tomorrow is when we find out if your teachers lied to you all those years and told you that you would need these things in real life), but it turns out not so much, more like I was making the wrong decision about the path of it. I need to meditate or something. Even better, I think a full body massage will do, but not one of those husband ones they just do because they feel bad for you and so they give in, I mean the fuzzy robe, scented oil, in seclusion for a whole hour one. That's just what I need. It will all come together right after my shoulders loosen up. So there you have it, I turned it all upside down and now all I want is a rub down......

Aldous Huxley: "There's only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that's your own self."

Tomorrow is special....

Tomorrow is my Husband and I's 5 year wedding anniversary. Woo hoo. We are shipping the kids off to my Mom's for the day and night and heading up to Salem. Is it possible that he has lives in Massachusetts for 27 years and has never been to the Salem Witch Museum. Well, that ends tomorrow...I have only one wish....togetherness and romance.........

"Love means to commit oneself without guarantee, to give oneself completely in the hope that our love will produce love in the loved person. Love is an act of faith, and whoever is of little faith is also of little love."
-- Erich Fromm

Fave Pic!

Remember little Princess Chloe...well here she is a little more than a month old. Just precious. With her Mommy, who is lookin fabulous!!!

A Good Story about a Good Girl

I go to Walmart at least twice a month. I wish I didn't have to, but I just can't beat the prices. Anyway, I went with my Mom and we had a grill and a sewing machine and 2 huge cart fulls between us. She went to the Dunkin Donuts and me being the type who can't just stand there and wait decided to take the 2 carts out myself. Now I am passing guy after guy after guy.....a lady here, employees everywhere, and there and they all just watched me. Out of the corner of my eye I saw an employee in the bathroom about to clean........she couldn't have seen me for more than a second and she came running out of the bathroom and asked if I needed help. She was probably about 18-20 and I think she may have been special needs, but obviously has triumphed. She just had the brightest and most sincere smile and that's all she did, smile, you just can't help but smile back. I must have thanked her a million times. I would love to meet her parents. They really should know that they have raised such a warm hearted and considerate young woman. And she should know that I will remember her face and her smile and be grateful she showed me there is still consideration for others in this self indulgent world.

"Treat people as if they are what they ought to be, and you can help them become what they are capable of becoming."

~Johann von Goethe

Haven't had a favorite pic in a while......

Oh she is just so mad...ha ha ha. That little face just makes me melt....and laugh......so pathetic...

Regina Russells Tea Room Quincy, MA

So my Mother-in-Law in I have this place we have been going to for psychic readings for oh, about 7 years now. We hadn't been in soooooo long, so I treated the other night and we went. It was amazing. It was just like having a conversation with someone I had known for years. She was about 90% accurate with what and who was already going on....now for the future. I will update as we go and let you as they come true. I have it all taped and she said I can beat the crap out of her if my wish doesn't come true because I got all the lucky cards!!!!!! She also told me of something that I never would think I will do, but we shall see....but check them out, I have seriously never had a bad reading at this place. (I have had a gypsy like reading or two so I am well aware of people who have no clue) I'll let you know........

Check them out:

http://www.rrtearoom.com/ ask for Joyce!!

No animals were harmed in the taking fo this picture....

This was seriously the shape of the chicken finger I got from a local Chinese food restaurant. I won't give there name because we eat there all the time and they do have very good food. Keeping that in mind I still could not bring myself to eat it, I did open it up and it was indeed chicken......ha ha ha. But seriously? Could you have eaten it? Please answer me so I know I am not crazy........

"Edible, adj.: Good to eat, and wholesome to digest, as a worm to a toad, a toad to a snake, a snake to a pig, a pig to a man, and a man to a worm. "

~Ambrose Bierce

Very Quickly Touching Base on a "Naughty" Topic

Politics....


I will not pretend to know much. I can only be a normal person with a normal opinion. I think anyway, but what's normal? OK. Here's my opinion.....


....Everyone is too busy being a Democratic OR a Republic. They are too focused on arguing with each other BECAUSE they are one or the other rather than finding the best solutions for this country. We are in trouble no matter who's foggy glasses you look at it through. So rather than thinking of what will make you look best as a Rep. or a Dem., let's focus on what will make you the best AMERICAN choice. Bring on the debates. the plans, or at least the slightest idea as to your immediate plans as our president?

...One other thing. I LOVE Hollywood probably more than you can imagine, but please leave them out of the election. It will not help.

That's it for now I guess. Not much to talk about with both doing nothing but smiling for the camera and trying to look better than the other. Ahhhh...another episode of "The Old and the Arrogant." Can we have a new surprise candidate? I wish I wasn't a grown up right now so I didn't actually care about this. But alas I do.....and we shall see.....

"In times of change, learners inherit the Earth, while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists."
~Ernest Becker

I Will

I will….

…. express myself without fear of opposition.
….always speak up for whom or what I believe in.
….shed tears when I see someone in pain and when I see pure joy in another.
….forgive myself for my imperfections.
….respect those who oppose me for believing in their convictions.
….learn to believe in my mind, body, and soul without reservation.
….hold the highest respect for those who devote their lives to the good of others.
….make the effort to live everyday with a positive attitude and share it with anyone.

I will teach my daughters….


….to respect life and all things in it.
….to cherish love, but never let it change them.
….to be all they can be (without the help of the army).
….to carry a humble confidence in themselves.
….to embrace sisterhood (laughing, the crying, and the “borrowing” each others stuff)
….to use manners and tact no matter the situation.

I will show my husband….

…. I love him, even when I am in a bad mood…or just mad at him.
….Faith, Love, and Honesty in our life together.
….shopping can be fun.
….the accomplishment of being a good Father is proof of his amazing self.
….I believe in his talent and heart to no end.
….I cherish the all too few moments we do get to purely spend together.



I will always be thankful for….

….being blessed enough to open my eyes each morning and see the beauty around me
….good health for myself, my daughters, my husband, and all who are dear to me.
….my childhood that lead me to today.
….my mistakes from which I have learned irreplaceable lessons.
….the challenges I have and will face that only give me deeper strength.
….my dearest family and friends that would give me what I would give them. Anything.

Extension to the Family Fitness Challenge - Doggy Style

We can all congratulate Roxy for making it through her first week of serious dieting. She ate the food even though every time I put it in front of she looked at me hoping it was a cruel joke. She has lost 1.4lbs and a 1/2" around 3 separate places! She's on her way too, but somehow I don't think she is dedicated enough not to break into the trash or food cabinet when no one is looking.....

Today was Not. My. Day.

Just couldn't seem to get it together. Made the calls I was suppose to make. No one answered. Left messages. No one called back. I made it to my morning appointment. Waste of time. Didn't have all the proper paperwork. Take a 2 1/2 hour round trip with 2 kids while trying to find them food and then feed it to them while driving and trying to remember streets from nearly 10 years ago. To finally arrive at the location of the proper paperwork, the only key I need to make the next step, but without am 3 steps back. Doors locked. Yeah. All in all, I tried, but failed today. Did not manage to get one thing done. Oh boy.

"Such is the way things are." That's what Buddha says to say when things happen and there isn't anything you can do to change it. Such is the way things are. Do you know how many times that either ran through my head or lips depending on the level of steam coming out my ears at the time. Such is the way things are....and breath. Tomorrow will be a better day and it will all fall together....Such is the way things are....mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

McElwain Family Fitness Challenge Update

Haven't said anything in a while. I am happy to say that the scale has finally started moving again for me. THANK GOD! I think I would have gone off he deep end. SO I have 14.4lbs to go! That bring total weight loss for me to date. Feb. 2007 - today = 79.6lbs!! Woo hoo. Andrew is down 14lbs as well! So I suppose we are well on our way!

"The race is not always to the swift, but to those who keep on running." ~Author unknown, in reference to Ecclesiastes 9:11, "I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all."

Quote from www.quotegarden.com

And I thought the Kickboxing was rough.....

I have been doing the Kickboxing (with Sharon Mann both I and II) for a while now and it got a bit easier. I can now do the whole routine without looking at the TV and I don't feel like I am going to die. So I decided I needed to step it up a notch ....along came Boot Camp with Cathe Friedrich. You know, I have been working out for a while now and really thought that I was in pretty good shape. Oh so wrong was I!!!!!!! She nearly killed me! It was good though. Definetely a goal to move towards. I will be shouting from the roof tops if I can complete the ENTIRE show from beginning to end without wanting to puke or drop to the floor. I kid you not, my mother-in-law called me about a half hour after I finished. First thing she said, "What's the matter?" Then I explained that I was laying on the living room floor; a. trying not to puke and b. because my body just wouldn't get up. Although, an hour and a shower later I felt great! The new plan is to Boot Camp it 3X a week and see if I can't kick my own ass into actual shape. Talk to me at the end of next week though and see if moving is an option...lol.

Check it out on www.FitTV.com

"Boot Camp; Renowned fitness expert Cathe Friedrich leads eight fitness cycles
involving cardio activity, upper and lower strength work, and core conditioning.
You'll be jumping, pumping, pushing and crunching to a fitter you. "

I'm warning you, this chick means business....and when she tells you to just "sip" the water...please listen!!! Ha ha ha.

What was I supposed to say?

What could a better response have been when caught off guard?

What I was asked.......

"What is intercourse?"

Response.....

"Oh...ummmm....It's a town in Pennsylvania!!"

Again...what was I supposed to say??? She's only 6 1/2!

My decisions made. Waiting for 80 others peoples now.

OK. I did it. I applied to a certificate program for the Fall. Now all I have to do is be accepted, get financial aid, and then get unemployment to see how this certificate will benefit me. Easy.....right? All the paperwork is filled out. All to be distributed as decisions come back. Hurry up and wait. Hurry up and wait. Hey, at least this time I didn't look into these things 2 days too late. Ha ha ha. That's usually me, too little too late. But not today! I am finally ahead of the game. I also finally made the decision. That was half the battle. However, I don't think with this I can really go wrong. So I hurried up...now we will just wait and see....

"The sure conviction that we could if we wanted to is the reason so many good minds are idle."
G.C. Lichtenberg

Quote from www.quoteleaf.com

No more idly standing by......

My Pledge for this Week......

OK. This is probably silly, but I like to start every Monday off with a weekly goal. It gives me something to shoot for this week and then hopefully carries out further than that. Last week I suppose my workouts were my goal. I needed more intense harder routines and I think I sufficiently found some of those; yes they carried over until this week thankfully and thank All Star Workout!

On the this week's goal. I pledge to reach out to people and just do nice things for people I love. I start today. I am heading over to my Mum-in-Law's to help her get her new place in shape. I have the kiddo's so I won't be long, but as soon as the hubby gets home from work I'll be right back to finish up the job. So that's my Monday..........maybe someone else can join me? In the world we live in today let's try to put some smiles back on people's faces!!! Who knows, if everyone who reads this reaches out to 3 people and those 3 people reach out to another....you see where I am going with this. I know this is an old train idea, but I think it would work. Not enough people smile as they walk by a stranger anymore.......

Purple Treez Hard at Work

Lisa and I have been at it all day long!! We still have much to do, but the best news of all is we are now hooked up through Paypal so you can buy right through the site! Woo hoo!!! We seem to be getting a hang of the pictures too. Much clearer, we think anyway :-). Keep in mind it's all still a work in progress, but here we are so far....

www.PurpleTreez.com

And a quote.....

"I don't like work... but I like what is in work -- the chance to find yourself. Your own reality -- for yourself, not for others -- which no other man can ever know."
Joseph Conrad

Quote from www.quoteleaf.com

Fun Snack Idea...and Healthy Too...Kid Approved!!!

Now I am sure this is not a novel idea and a million people probably thought it up before, but I just got that bright bulb today!!! I have noticed in magazines ideas to get kids to eat healthier. Make it fun looking. My children are awful eaters! Picky picky picky. Picky about it's color, shape, size, smell, you name it. Being that I need to go grocery shopping and having basically empty cabinets....this is what I did....

Thomas's 100 Calorie Mini Bagels (I don't NOT count my kids calories, just an FYI to calorie conscious adults)
Peanut Butter (Creamy, but I suppose Chunky would work to if your into that kinda thing)
Sliced Banana (design according to your imagination...or the size of the bagel :-)

They loved it!!! Ate every last little bit. That never happens.....score one for Mom's side! (That never happens either...lol)

We also have a new addition to the McElwain Family Challenge. Our big fat Beagle Roxy. She weighed in at 42.6lbs last night (don't ask the process to get the weight). She is supposed to weigh 25lbs. Yikes! (Not for nothing though, she was over 49lbs at one point so we must be doing something right) Well, she is now on a no carb diet. Apparently Beagles have a hard time digesting carbs...hence her massive girth. Nice of someone to tell us that now. We have only had the dog on diet food for 3 years and couldn't figure out why she wasn't losing.....so she started that on Wednesday and we'll see how she goes......

I have some other artworks coming. I have like 50 projects going at once today. It was great! The best part is I finished them all! Then I have a whole new list for tomorrow...keep on keeping on.....

Organization Mode.....

It's finally hit me, I think I got my mojo back...ha ha ha. Well, the insatiable urge to be organized. I don't know what's causing it. Maybe my muscles are finally loosening up or maybe it's because I have kept my house perfectly clean for 4 whole days!!!! I know that sounds a little weird, but you have no idea how hard it is to keep these 5 rooms clean. We have 3 dogs and 1 dog that visits during the day.....fur fur fur....2 days after a vacuum it fills right back up again. And I wonder why my allergies are out of control. Then there is the children. Haley will pick up, but then the poor thing watches Ashley undo all her good doings.....then she undoes it further herself. It's a vicious cycle. Getting out for a portion of the day seems helpful too. For both Psyche and cleanliness. When we are away...the dogs just sleep so no harm can be done. So out we go...a little earlier than planned seeing as Ashley is refusing to take a nap today......here we go........

"A day will never be anymore than what you make of it. Practice being a "doer"!
- Josh S. Hinds

quote from www.getmotivation.com

On to Another Day of Searching....Not Sure for What Though

Up and ad am, nice and early......workout, I do have to say again sorry if it's annoying, but I love that Sharon Mann Kickboxing episode. Three days in a row now.....and I can certainly feel it ha ha ha. My hubby was nice enough to give me a little rub last night, but I think he just enjoys inflicting pain on me with my permission...ha ha.

Still have all the fun future decisions to make and still no further to having an answer or a plan. I am running out of time. Why does it seem like time is going by even faster now? Because it's Summer? Because I am enjoying myself?

Here comes August. It's always a good month. Well, actually there are good days that happen in August, but for some reason we never have money in August. Thankfully that won't be a problem this August which makes me sooooo happy. Good days are always good, but money always makes them a little better :-). Might sound shallow, but tell me you don't agree. My anniversary comes up on the 23rd. Five whole years ago we walked down that isle. What a great day. It was sooooo much fun. I can't wait until we renew those vows in another 5 years.

Then comes my birthday, which I usually count down to starting on the 1st of the month (to the 29Th). I used to be ashamed, but now it's funny, I have the honor of sharing my birthday with the King of Weirdoism, Michael Jackson. Oh and John McCain, ho hum. Any who, I don't think I will be counting down this year and I'm not sure there is a need for me to get any older. This birthday will put me in my late twenties. I don't want to be in my late twenties. Now I know anyone I say this to that is older than me is rolling there eyes and thinking I am ridiculous. Maybe I am, but just hear me out. I remember in Jr. High and High School imagining myself as an adult. Here's the thing, I never went past 25? I could never fathom being older than that. It seemed so far away.....but now 2 years past that? If someone asks me my age and I'm not expecting it, I still say 25. Twenty-six just never came out, so now I am supposed to say 27? Ugh!!!!!! What good happens after 25? My car insurance is as low as it gets, I can rent a car in any state, and and then had to choose the 25-35 category on all questionnaires......so yay....why go any further......OK enough about that......let's get a quote out for today....

"You know you're getting old when the candles cost more than the cake. "

~Bob Hope

That is soooooo true!! I just looked in our drawer and they come in packages of 8!!!!! LOLOLOLOL

Sharon Mann Just kicked my Behind!!!!!

I'm telling you. For a short workout the sweat was pouring. This is definitely a DVR keeper!!!!

"In Shape with Sharon Mann Tai Chi/Kickboxing I TV-G, CC Hosted and designed by four time Canadian Aerobics Champion Sharon Mann, this exercise show blends Pilates, Kick boxing, Tai Chi, Boxercise, Boot Camp, Yoga and Interval training. It's loaded with fitness information and extra fitness tips."

www.fittv.com

Look past the pigtails and jolly smile for a hardcore workout!!!!!

The Dunelands Cavendish PEI

Quote of the Day

“Whoever says artists can't deal with corporate pressures because they have frail minds, is missing out on the potential the artistic mind has to boost company morale and increase productivity. Most artists would just as soon quit once they become conscious of their exploitation and that is a sign of strength not weakness.”

Martin Dansky quotes (Canadian Actor, Artist and Writer, b.1952)

Quote from http://thinkexist.com

Getting ready for Monday. The best day of the week to get organized, to get going, and to start the week off right. I have my to do list and it is a mile long. I need to just get up and do it. Easier said than done? Let's hope not. My vacation is over and we are officially unpacked (I do still have more pics coming, I went a tad crazy). Groceries are back in the cabinets and the laundry is well on it's way. The house is mostly clean, just need to wash it all down from top to bottom. Shouldn't take long. We'll see.

The McElwain Family Challenge goes back on track tomorrow, maybe even more hardcore than before. Andy was nice enough (and I spared you from them) to take some pictures of me from behind in my bathing suit and I see where I need to put my efforts for a while.....thanks Hun!! Ha ha....also, I have upped the amount of weight i need to lose to 20lbs.....so here we go!!!

The other exciting thing is my Mother-in-Law wants to lose a few pounds too. She falls in Andy's boat of not knowing how much or how many to eat so she has asked me to come up with a diet plan for her.....project #2 here we come! We shall dub this the MIL Challenge......we'll add the F later....ha ha ha....don't worry, we have a very close relationship (no, not that close, but much closer than most mother-in-law/daughter-in-law deals go). This will start Aug. 1st!

I have a long list of custom orders to get going on...hopefully bang out quite a few tomorrow!!! I'm ready to go!!!!

Pool Time @ the Fairways Cottages PEI