My Three Favorite Things from the Week Past. Photos, Links, Quotes. Take a peek into my Journey of All Things Loved! Continue reading
lifestyle
Take Back Christmas
My Christmas Mantle
Oh the joys of Christmas are many but the hustle and bustle that we get ourselves wrapped up in are exploding before our very eyes; exploding before our family’s very eyes!
I’m not sure when, if ever, in my life that Christmas was an easy and gentle time. I fully admit that I go for the all or nothing approach, decorating every corner of the house, baking dozens of cookies, writing cards to hundreds, singing in concerts, ringing the Salvation Army bell, hosting parties… You get it – over the top.
This year I have discovered , more than any past year, that I need to stop and listen. I need to stop what I’m doing, look at the people around me, and ask one simple question. “How are you doing this time of year?” Oh I’ve asked the question many times before but the” stop and listen” part were not in my consciousness.
The answers to my question have been rather humbling. Continue reading
The Hardest Part of a Workout
Jaime & me on October 27, 2012 after the Healdsburg Half Marathon in Sonoma County celebrating my 50th Birthday!
Hands Down, most difficult part of a workout for me is just putting on my shoes….
I absolutely love it when I’m actually working out! I love the feeling of making my body tired, and more than that I love the feeling of being able to walk, run, hike as many miles as I want to. I love meeting a goal. I love the euphoric feeling that running can bring. My family all works out. From running to lifting weights to playing organized sports to yoga. We all participate in something. I’m happy that Aldo & I were able to set an example of the importance of taking care of your body. Even if it’s some hard work in the yard and garden!!
You’d think I’d never quit working out, would you? Ha! I love meeting a goal and once the goal is over, I tend to stop. I can still do active fun but not like when I’m training. I lose my motivation and I can’t seem to put my running shoes on to go outside or go downstairs to the treadmill.
I have come up with ways in the past to solve the lack of shoes on my feet.
Moms, Kindly Scoot Out of the Way
We moms can be kind of controlling. Are you intrigued because you are a mom, you are married to a mom or you have a mom?!! I write this message as a mom, who has a partner in parenting. I don’t want to leave my sweet husband out of this!
I believe it’s in our nature to want everything to be wonderful for our children. We want to protect them and we don’t want them to hurt – EVER. Our wisdom and experience can certainly save them a lot of grief in life. We think they need us to be in the helicopter over them, ready to slide down the rope to save them at any moment. Hold Please — Land the Helicopter and Let Them Fly!
Soaking in a Girlfriend Weekend
Quinn’s Hot Springs in Paradise, Montana. (Seriously, it’s the name of the closest town!) The cabins and the lodge, the tavern and restaurant are wonderful compliments to the 6 hot pools, which range in temperature from 78 to 106. Pools that offer minerals and therapeutic healing as well as interesting people and laughter to nourish the soul!
Quinn’s was the location of my recent girlfriend weekend! Perfect location for us four girls (AKA The Posse), who see each other as often as possible but in reality, it’s never enough! The last time we were all together was seven weeks ago. Yes, we live in the same town but we all work in different professions, we all have varied hobbies & passions, and we all have families and other “girl groups!” When we get together, “Watch Out World!” We laugh, we talk, we drink wine. We play cards. We dance. We don’t sleep much….
The Lingering Aspen Leaf
It happens every autumn, the leaves change color and fall off the tree.
I was on a walk this week as the leaves were rapidly falling from the trees in a serious windstorm! The Montana Big Sky was a gorgeous hue of blue, my thoughts were no where and then everywhere.
I looked up at an Aspen tree that was quaking and shaking and noticed a few of the leaves were hanging on even though the majority were swirling off the tree. I began to wonder about my life in comparison to the leaves that were hanging on.
Am I hanging on to something in my life that I should be letting go? Continue reading
All Plates are NOT Created Equal — God Knows What He’s Doing
Why can she do so many things in her life and I can barely manage to get myself out the door to work? What gives him so much energy to accomplish goals and it seems like it’s so easy for him? My plate is full. And it’s my plate to fill.
Think about the last time you compared yourself to someone else? Not that long ago? I know — it’s human nature to compare ourselves to others but people…. throw away the self doubt! Why do we feel inadequate when we see “Mr. Get ‘Er Done” or “Ms. Overachiever?” What is God’s intention for our lives?
I’m telling you my friend – God gave us all a different size plate to fill. For some of us – we practically have a serving platter, for others of us – we have a tea cup saucer. Along with the size of plate, He gave us different gifts to use. He gave us everything we could possibly need to fulfill His plan for our lives. Continue reading
Spider Saves Marriage
Just when you’ve had it up to here…. The Spider Shows Up
Silly rubber spider to you…. 29 years of practical joking to us!!
The rules: 1. Hide it somewhere that your spouse will eventually find it. 2. Forget about it.
Today was the first cold day here in Montana. It’s in the low 40’s and I knew that my outfit for the day would include my brown tights (because I wanted to wear my favorite dress for fall and favorite brown boots!) I haven’t seen my tights since I put them away last April when the weather started to warm up. I was in a hurry to get dressed and out the door because I had a meeting to attend. I reached into my drawer and found my brown tights, and pulled them out and EEK! I startle, I chuckle, I call out to tell my husband that he did a good job…. yep, it’s the Creepy Rubber Spider who’s been hidden away for five months. He’d forgotten all about it and asked where I found the spider….
I can’t even remember how the spider started making appearances. Continue reading
Navy Traditions, It starts with Honor and ends with Integrity
USNA – United States Naval Academy: To see it is to marvel at the beauty of the grounds and the buildings, to have a glimpse of the band of brothers/sisters who entered and made it through four years is something that takes your breath away.
My small glimpse of this group of inspirational men and women show the complete package of all that is good in humanity. I stand in the football stadium and watch the midshipmen march on to the field, company by company parading in front of us. They walk together in such precision that I could only see one line of white as each step was taken. They march to the sound of patriotic music played by the band and I find myself taking video and pictures so that I can attempt to relive the moments again and again. As these midshipmen salute, sing, chant, and cheer, they also honor and respect those who have come before them. I can never make it through any Navy ceremony without a tear running down my cheek… Continue reading
Listen My Friend, God is Speaking
God Speaks all the time. If I am listening, if I am paying attention, if I take a moment to leave the “Me” world, WOWZA – Awesome things happen. Awesome ideas form. Awesome people are met. Awesome situations are encountered.
Today, I was in our local airport flying Non-Rev (short for Non Revenue Passenger) with my pilot husband. Because of his job, we can fly on most carriers for a small price as long as there is space available on the flight. I could go into all sorts of plans and schemes that we use to get ourselves from one city to another. Often it involves lack of sleep and running and thinking fast on my feet!! Let’s just say it’s not for wimps or for inflexible people!
We were trying to get to Annapolis, MD for his Naval Academy Reunion. It’s been planned for a LONG time and I have no idea why we didn’t purchase tickets since the last time we went to USNA a hurricane hit Maryland and flights were cancelled and we were all over the US trying to non-rev into Annapolis!!
No extra seats in the cabin on the first flight but there was an extra seat in the cockpit just for other pilots trying to get a ride! I looked at Aldo and told him to take it and get to his reunion. I would follow along as soon as a seat opened up on a flight!! Continue reading
Positively Shelle 