Thoughtful Thursday December 15, 2016

I thought this was a great thought for today.  : )



I didn't write this, but it is oh so true for me and imagine it is for many of my friends who are mothers! Enjoy!
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My children each year ask me the same question. After thinking about it, I decided I'd give them my real answer:

What do I want for Christmas? I want you. I want you to keep coming around, I want you to bring your kids around,(when you have some! lol) I want you to ask me questions, ask my advice, tell me your problems, ask for my opinion, ask for my help. I want you to come over and rant about your problems, rant about life, whatever.

Tell me about your job, your worries, your spouses,( or girlfriends lol) your kids, your fur babies. I want you to continue sharing your life with me. Come over and laugh with me, or laugh at me, I don't care. Hearing you laugh is music to me.

I spent the better part of my life raising you the best way I knew how, and I'm not bragging, but i did a pretty darn good job. Now, give me time to sit back and admire my work, I'm pretty proud of it.
Raid my refrigerator, help yourself, I really don't mind. In fact, I wouldn't want it any other way.

I want you to spend your money making a better life for you and your family, I have the things I need. I want to see you happy and healthy. When you ask me what I want for Christmas, I say "nothing" because you've already been giving me my gift all year. I want you.

Love, Mom

Thoughtful Thursday November 24, 2016

May we say thank you to all and remember that we are all working toward the same goal - happiness.  I appreciate you letting me lay out my work and thoughts here week after week.  I hope I inspire you sometimes.

And HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Heather!!  Today is the day, my friends.  May you have no candles on your turkey this year.

Thoughtful Thursday November 17, 2016

It's one of those days to be happy and silly!

I saw a house decorated for Christmas on my morning walk.  A little too early for my taste.  I'm still thankful for the wonderful life and opportunities.  : )

Thoughtful Thursday November 10, 2016

I am so appreciative to those individuals who sacrificed for me and my children.  I'd also like to thank the families of all who served.  I can't imagine my life without having my husband come home every night.  To go it alone for months at a time - incredible!  Thank you for sharing your loved one with the country so we can remain free.

And to those who served, THANK YOU!!  I can't even imagine the horrors you saw and went through.

Happy Veterans Day tomorrow!! Virtual hugs!!!!  OOOOOOOO

Thoughtful Thursday November 3, 2016

I thought this quote appropriate moving toward election day on Tuesday November 8th.  It's telling of our presidental choices.  Whomever you think has good character, and will do right for the American people - rather than himself/herself - is who you should vote for.  This person needs to LEAD us and allow us to be better off when we vote for a new president in four years.

Our choices aren't the best, but we need to choose one.  If you don't vote, remember not to complain afterwards.  You might be thinking, "my vote wouldn't have mattered." Perhaps if everyone who thought that had voted, it would have mattered.

Vote Tuesday November 8th!

Thoughtful Thursday October 27, 2016

Happy Halloween!

May you be safe and have fun this weekend and Monday night!

Thoughtful Thursday October 20, 2016

Leave your comfort zone every once in a while.  You might find that you like where you are.  You might also find that you don't like where you are.  Both are okay.

Being a Girl Scout leader, the other leaders and I push the girls to try something different every once in a while.  This summer Amber's troop went tent camping and zip-lining in Big Bear.  It was soooo much fun!!  One girl and one mom were super nervous to go zip-lining, but they did!  They both did soooo well!!  Neither of them will ever do it again, I think.  But they tried it.  They got through it.  Now they know they will survive the next challenge that they face.

It's not the succeeding or failing part that's important, to me.  It's the trying.  With the zip-lining, the girls had to finish the course before they could "give up".  That was 8 runs they had to endure.

What you try doesn't have to be as "extreme".  I'm trying to reach more people with my passion of paper crafting.  That's one reason why I offered to teach through the adult school.  It's a little nerve wracking putting myself out in the public.  Will people be interested enough to sign up?  Only one of the three classes I offered were taught.  I had so much fun during the class!  I taught 40 techniques to 5.5 women (the half comes from the woman who only attended the first of two classes).  If nothing else, I inspired them to paper craft more.  I'll be offering more classes through the Poway Adult School.  Winter quarter class registration starts November 8th.  And I'll wonder, again, if people will like my project enough to come play.

Thoughtful Thursday October 13, 2016

Who's with me?!

Thoughtful Thursday October 6, 2016

My brother-in-law Christopher is participating in the IronMan, Kona on Saturday.  When I say "participating", I don't mean it lightly.  What verb do you use when he'll be swimming over 2 miles, biking over 100 miles, and THEN running a marathon?  He's crazy, in my opinion!  Christopher believes this a small thing.  What is great about the event is that he's raised over $79,000 for research for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, represented by Team in Training.  And he's raised awareness.  : )

Over the 15 HOURS he'll be on the course, I bet he'll think about what the money will cure.  Leukemia and Lymphoma are cancers of the blood.  Some have high curable rates, while others have low rates

And how did he raise the money?  By caring people donating to his cause.  You may have donated to goteamtrent.org (can you put him over the $80K mark?!) or to your cause.  Together, in small amounts, we can do something great!  I love it!

Good luck, Christopher!!!

Thoughtful Thursday September 29, 2016

I think this is a good quote to end the month of September with.  Warm fuzzies are always a good thing.  Kind words, listening, a high five, a note.  You don't have to receive anything monetary to feel appreciated.  Cookies won't hurt though.  : )

To me, this also goes along with the adage of praise in public, criticize in private.

Big hugs for those at home!  

Thoughtful Thursday September 22, 2016

Most of the time I prefer not to be found out.

I just wish I would follow through with all of my intentions.  I have things I want to do, words to say to others.  They just don't happen.  How do I change that?!

Thoughtful Thursday September 15, 2016

Creativity gets easier, too, the more you use it!  There are so many places to look now a days for inspiration!  My blog :).  Pinterest.  Magazines.  Nature.  Things around you - I based one card from a car seat cover I saw in a parked car.

And creativity doesn't have to be tangible.  You can be creative in your writing.  Your posts (on FB or any social media).  I thought I was creative when I wrote up an email that was sent to ClubHub^TM customers.  Just do it and enjoy the process (even if you struggle a little - all the sweeter when you get it right)!

Thoughtful Thursday September 8, 2016

Inspired by Close to my Heart's National Stamping Month theme - Kindness Changes Everything, I'd like to share this quote:

I don't always feel like being kind.  Sometimes right after I am kind, I might regret it, but after calming down, I'm always glad I was kind.  This is especially the case when someone says something that really irks me!

However, being kind is contagious.  And it puts me into a better mood.  I'd say my favorite thing to do (and easiest) is to hold the door open for other people.  What about you?  What do you do to show your kindness?!

Thoughtful Thursday 9/1/16

Aack!  It's September already!!

Aack!  Another great actor, Gene Wilder, passed this week.  : (

Coincidentally we watched Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory last Sunday night!  Gene Wilder was so good in that movie.  One of my favorite quotes of his from the movie:

"So much time and so little to do. Wait a minute. Strike that. Reverse it. Thank you." -- Willy Wonka (Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory

No matter how busy we get, nor how unbusy (let's assume we take some time for ourselves - and if you don't, you should).  Willy's quote rings true.

It may need to be a Gene Wilder movie fest this weekend...

"No, it's pronounced 'Fronkensteen.'" -- Dr. Frankenstein (Young Frankenstein)

Give a loved one a hug, a call, or a heavenly "love you".  : )

Thoughtful Thursday 8/25/16

Just getting this one in for the day.  I was getting ready for the middle school's welcome back carnival last week....

I just finished JK Rowling's new book/play.  Which, I have to say, wasn't the best.  Without giving anything away, I wish they didn't make Ron to be such a dolt.  To me, they exasperated his character from the HP series.  He wasn't as bad then.

In the meantime, Umbridge has a cameo in the book.  This was and is so true!

Like I said, Umbridge plays a very small role in the book, but it just brought back all the hatred I had toward her.  The actress who played her did such a good job!  And Rowlings wrote her part superbly!!

What did you think of the new book?

Thoughtful Thursday 8/4/16

I'm trying something new... I'm teaching through the Poway Adult School.  Well, I hope to teach.  There are three classes that the school is offering.  I'll teach if enough people sign up to take the courses.  What are they?  There are two Cricut classes, one for the Expressions machines and one for the Explore and Air machine.  The final class is a technique class.  We're going to cover 40 techniques that can be used when stamping and paper crafting.  I'm the most nervous about that class!

Check them out (along with other great classes the school provides).  My classes are listed under Arts and Crafts and Art Appreciation section (page 7).

I've been wanting to try teaching for a number of years.  My girls are old enough now, and my desire has grown too.  If the class(es) don't go this time, we'll try again.  Hopefully, though...

What new thing are you going to try?!

Thoughtful Thursday July 21, 2016

I thought a laugh was in order this week!  How true!

Thoughtful Thursday 7/14/2016

I've been away these past two weeks. The week of June 22nd, I flew to Orlando for Close to my Heart's convention. I'm celebrating 20 years with the company next month!

That got me thinking (dangerous as it is).  I think this quote is appropriate, even for an aspect of my life.

I have been a hobbyist consultant and feel that I should bring it up a little. Next step for me is to talk to more people about what I do, because I really enjoy it!  I'm able to bring in extra money, get product at a discount, and ahead of time.  I can challenge myself with my work - styles, colors, etc.  I'm always learning new things.  I work with really nice and amazing people... the list goes on.

Thoughtful Thursday 6/23/2016

I'm at convention!!  I'm super excited to learn what will be coming out in September.    I'll be learning some business wisdom too.  And having fun with fellow consultants (although I'm missing some because they couldn't be here - Katy and Heather).

We are in Orlando Florida where is it a balmy 90 degrees with 70% humidity. I'll check in with you later!

Thoughtful Thursday 6/16/2016

I was at the STEAM Festival before the San Diego Fair opened yesterday morning.  There I spoke with an indoor skydiver.  He was telling me how fun skydiving was.  I countered with I don't like free falling.  "No, no," he said.  "You don't feel like you're free falling because the speed of the plane when you jump out.  You only add about 20 mph over 4 to 5 seconds."  I had never thought about that before.  Skydiving to me has always been like Tower of Terror, and something to be avoided.  I don't need my stomach outside my mouth!

Then I told him I'd like to hang glide.  "Now THAT's on my bucket list."
He, of course, said no way.  "That's way too close to the ground!"

When I walked away and later thought about the conversation, I thought about perception.  My perception of skydiving certainly changed.  Mind you, I still have no desire to free fall from a plane.  But the thought isn't as disturbing to me.

Look again at a situation in life, or at someone whom you've pigeon holed as a type of person.  Maybe by looking at it from a different perspective, it's not so bad!