From Chaos Comes Happiness

Eight years ago today, life changed for me  . . . in the most miraculous way. My baby is 8 today. This baby. Here she is, just this past Saturday, sporting a brand new side part haircut. She is gorgeous, isn't she? I mean . . . really gorgeous. And what is even more gorgeous about her . . . is what is inside of her. Her heart. Her mind. Her spirit. Her soul. Oh, I can't wait to see where life takes her. And I'll be right here . . . watching her go . . . picking her up when she needs it . . . and cheering all the way. Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of this little girl. Happy Birthday Katie! I LOVE YOU!

So many things touching my soul today . . . so many people making a big difference in my life. People who have no idea who I am. Isn't it amazing how we can touch each others lives without even knowing it? My dear friend Leslie at {Words of Me} Project wrote a very touching post today, on finding herself in the midst of some difficult obstacles (pain) in life right now. I admire her more than words can say. While reading her post, I felt myself in awe of those people who are their authentic selves - on good days and bad. I often find myself traveling from blog to blog reading inspiring, motivating and creative posts and looking at creative pictures taken by people who, in my eyes, are just about as perfect as can be. While I know the grass isn't always greener on the other side - I wonder if they truly are as happy as it seems. Authentic au·then·tic 1: obsolete 2a : worthy of acceptance or belief as conforming to or based on fact b : conforming to an original

I had a pounding headache last night. One of those, “I need to go and lay down” sort of headaches. Don’t worry – I can’t even remember when I had one of these before and I am feeling tons better today. I think it was a combination of not drinking enough water during the day and the whole sinus/weather goofy/allergy crazy pounding head kind of day, you know? So, after dinner, I told PG I had to lay down. I felt if I tried to keep functioning and doing things around the house, my brain would have exploded. That’s never a good thing. So, I found my way to the bed and rested my head. I think I’ve watched too many episodes of ER . That, or Greys Anatomy . Whatever the case – I was certain that it was “the big one.” You know, the Fred Sanford “I’m coming Elizabeth!” one. So, as I lay on my bed and could practically feel the gunk in my sinuses move from one side of my brain to the other, a good ol’fashioned “Random Thinking Moment” started and I began to think about what I would

A little positive message for the soul today. I love all of those inspirational magnets, don't you? This site (zazzle.com) has a great selection of them, and you can often customize the color backgrounds or the shape of the magnet. Great site for cool, inexpensive reminders. I want one of every quote. Because I can never stop learning from those wise souls who have been here long before me, and who are so much wiser than I. Wishing you a wonderful day of Peace.

Well, it appears I'm spreading my wings and cooking up lots of new creative projects this week . . . all with the help of my dearest friends. On Wednesday, my cellar chum Cindi from "So That's Why" came over with her kids and we played and played all day long (well . . . Cindi and I played, and the kids just hung out.) Cindi is a genius at the whole Art Journal thing, and sitting with her totally inspires me to DO IT . . . (I guess her giving me a journal and the gesso and practically placing the paint brush in my hand is what I needed to get off my bootie and stop saying, "Oh, I really want to do this, but . . . " ) It took me a little while to get started, but here is my very first real live Art Journal.   First, the cover: I have to say, I LOVE how the cover turned out. I think my signature colors right now (in my art, in my journals, in my kitchen and bedroom, and in my wardrobe) are robbins egg blue and brown. I just love the combination . .

After re-reading my blog posts the past few weeks, I've decided that it is time to move on, my dears. Time to look at the good . . . turn off the drama . . . take deep breaths . . . focus . . . affirm . . . and be grateful. I can't take total credit for it, though. On Saturday, I had a therapy session at the Scrapbook Cellar . Yes . . . we scrapbook, we create, and we "therapize" (I thought I was so clever coming up with that word, therapize, this very minute. However trusty google has found that Urban Dictionary claimed that word long before me . . . therapize: to perform therapy on someone .) In any case . . . "therapize" is EXACTLY what the cellar girls and I do. And Saturday was a particularly GOOD session. My dear friend Peggy (from " Small Steps to Giant Leaps ") shared a great idea with us in starting an "Affirmations & Gratitude" journal. The idea is simple, and something that you have probably heard of before . . .

You know how you can say something over and over and you really believe, in your head, that you “get it” , but you really don’t “get it” ? You know how you can hear the words and think you can wrap your mind around it and absorb it and live it? But you really don’t ? You know what it’s like when you have that light bulb moment? Except it’s really more than a light bulb. It’s kind of like the sun is rising for the first time ever and you’re out there to see it, and all of a sudden that weight that has been sitting on your shoulders finally jumps off and you realize that you can see . . . really see . . . what is around you? I’m feeling that today. Because, honestly, for the very first time, I get it. I can’t make everyone happy. There. I said it. And it’s ok. Maybe it’s my whole new “ surrender ” feeling that I am focused on. But all of a sudden today, I feel like I get it. Really . And it’s good. It’s better than good. It’s. . . mind opening. Kind of like . . .

Dear Dad, Happy Father's Day, Dad. I came to see you today. It's been a long time since I have been by, and I'm sorry for that. I do talk to you all the time, so hopefully you'll forgive me for not visiting in a while. But, I brought you a cup of coffee today, from Dunkin. A small with cream and sugar, just like you used to drink it. I'm sure people will think that I am nuts that I left it there for you . . . but I don't care. I know that you got a chuckle out of it, for sure. So much has changed in the time you have been gone, Dad. You know, I have two little girls now. Oh, Daddy, you would just adore them. Katie is sensitive and thoughtful, but has this dramatic side to her that I am sure you would say comes from me. And Ella . . . oh, Dad, Ella is just about the best little thing you could ever imagine. Funny funny funny. You would just love her so much! I could imagine you running around with her tickling her and making her laugh - oh, I'm sure t

I've been thinking so much about this post my friend, Nicole, wrote. The title "I think my chakras are blocked" grabbed me the moment I read it. YES. That's exactly it! I think MY chakras are blocked! And I have been thinking about it ever since. Nicole wrote: "I came to the conclusion - my spirit is blocked. There is a wall inside, and it's dark a nd it's negative. My potential is not even close to being tapped into. No, I am NOT nurturing myself. I am being lazy, I am resting.. resting all the damned time - but never feeling peace. Every once in a while, when I have spent a little time alone, I regroup and a twinge of hope surfaces. But that underlying, dynamic "ME" is hiding in there." I feel that. All of it. Way too often lately. So, I've got some spirit cleaning up to do. Tomorrow, I am getting together with my Scrapbook Cellar babes ( LT , CE and PK ). It's been way too long since we've gathe

A few months ago, I had to call Comcast (our cable and Internet provider) with a question about some new charges appearing on our monthly bill. I’m usually rather tough when dealing with sales people who try to sell me more than I need . . . remember me? “I like what I like”? So, I found myself discussing our bill with a very polite man, who (surprisingly) took care of all my concerns and adjusted our account accordingly. As we were completing our phone call, he presented me with a GREAT offer . . . to receive their monthly magazine and guidebook in mail for a low fee of $3.00 a month. Hmmm . . . do I really need this monthly guide? Of course not. I mean, we have a guide that appears right on the television to tell me what is on at any given moment. I don’t need a magazine to tell me. So, I turned him down. Then he offered me 6 months for free . . . and the subscription will continue after that at the low $3.00 a month rate. You know those old Tom & Jerry cartoons? When Spike,

Ok, my friends . . . this is going to be a long one. You may want to come back later to read it, when you have a little more time. Or, perhaps you can print it out . . . and read it later (nudge nudge, wink wink, hold on - you'll understand why I said that in a bit.) Have I told you that I really need to get a laptop? Well, I need to get a new laptop, because I have an old one. But it's kind of archaic and it's not wireless - a major bummer when trying to keep up with blog reading. I have this little wireless card that sticks out of the side - but it has been bumped so many times that the protective plastic cover (which is supposed to keep it from breaking) has broken, and never manages to stay on. Needless to say, the wireless Internet connection comes and goes and makes it really frustrating. We have a really handy dandy desktop PC, of course. But I guess the problem there lies within the season.  As you are well aware, it’s June . . . beautiful June . . . sunny

My friends . . . I think I'm going to do it. No. No. That's not right. I AM going to do it. Yes. That's better. I AM DOING IT. Yes. I am. Because, you see this . . . here . . . I'm right there . . . .at the tip . . . just ready . . . All I needed was an email from a blog friend to hand me the chisel. That's all it took. (Kiki, thanks for the chisel! I'm chippin'!) So, I have a dream. And in a couple of months, . . . to fill my soul - to be inspired - to learn - to dream. It's expensive, but after a few lousy work weeks, I decided that I needed to do something  to nourish this creative soul. I came home and had a long talk with PG about it, and within one hour, he found me outside and told me that he just booked my ticket. Like that. Poof! "Really?" I asked him . . . over and over. I couldn't believe it. Yes, I have a keeper in him. For sure. So, that's it. I'm DOING IT. I'm just at the tip of the iceberg

Found from Google image search.  'Tis the season, my friends, for our annual neighborhood garage sale!!! It's amazing to me how year after year I plan, with great anticipation, for this day. Not that I am trying to make a lot of money . . . but it's the whole purging and simplifying part that goes with it that I enjoy. Yet when the weekend comes, I lose my steam. I'm ready to give up the thought of looking through another box in our basement, and long for it all to be over. It's Garage Sale Time! It seems every year we have one or two items (usually larger furniture pieces) that we are focused on really getting rid of. Usually it's because of their large size and our lack of energy in transporting them to Goodwill that brings out that major "car salesman" role in me. If someone can take it off our hands and find a good use for it - the AMEN! And if you can't take it off our hands . . . stick with me and I'll have you thinking you

Years ago, when I met PG, he was a bachelor boy living in a second floor apartment above his dad and step-mom's home. He was as independent (as much as living in a second floor apartment above your parents home) as can be. He was young. And he was . . . troubled. I say this, because I very clearly remember opening his kitchen cabinet one visit, and seeing the unthinkable. Talking about this now is kind of hard for me. So, please bear with me. His cabinet was stocked with what had to have been 6 EXTRA LARGE (purchased from a warehouse club, like Costco) jars of . . . Miracle Whip. Gasp!!!! AAAAAAAAA!!!! THE HORROR!!!! It's amazing to me that we ever fell in love. Because,  my dears, I am a Hellmann's Girl. Always have been. Always will. I mean, I ask you . . . is there really any question as to which it the better mayo? Seriously. PG swears, to this day, that the Miracle Whip belonged to his room mate. To me, it's just as bad as if it belonged to him

I realized it's been quite a while since I've shared a photo with you of my daily journey. Here is a picture I took about a month ago that I forgot to post . . . spring was starting, the leaves were coming out from hiding and starting to show (my allergies were proof of it), and those cold bare branches were feeling good . . . Today, I took this photo. Hard to believe in a few short weeks the trees have gotten so full . . . As I drove to work this morning, I felt very peaceful and calm. The radio was off, the window was rolled down, and it was me and my mini-van - alone on this road. I pulled over to the side and could have sat there for hours. Unfortunately, I had to get to work. All of a sudden, I found this calm state I have been in such need of for the past weeks. I sat there listening to the sounds of birds in the trees,and the rustle of leaves moving in the wind. And I gave it all up. The worry. The anger. The fear. The "what ifs". Seems like I'

I know that the season doesn't officially start for a couple of weeks, but we are well in summer mode in our home. Ella completed her first year at pre-school last week, and tomorrow will be Katie's last day of 2nd grade. I can't believe how fast the year is going. Usually when June hits, I start to think . . . a little . . . about the Christmas Holiday (gasp! How DARE I even think such a thing!). I usually start to plan out gifts I wish to make and special things I want to prepare for. But so far . . . Christmas is the farthest from my mind (thank goodness, huh?) Here are just a few of the sights of our June, so far . . . POOL TIME!  Yes, 'tis the season. And lucky for me, on Sunday my pool boy (aka: PG, aka: Phil, aka: the hubby) returned from a business trip and was all ready to set up our pool. Now, don't let this picture fool you . . . we don't have a very extravagant pool set up. Wait . . . it is extravagant, now that I think about it.  Yep. Th

Another tear jerking moment, my dear friends. This one took place just moments ago. As Katie and Ella are now outside enjoying a bit of this gorgeous June evening, I found myself running to the computer to share this latest story with you. I am so afraid of the memory falling into that empty pit in my mind that I just had to write this down.  You see . . . I'm not chubby. At least, not in the eyes of my Katie. And that, my friends, has my very own eyes filling up with tears as I type. A short while ago, I stood at our kitchen sink, cleaning our dinner dishes and glancing up out the kitchen window every few seconds, as that golden hour of sunlight tickled the top of our back yard lawn. Suddenly, the front screen door stretched open and I could hear Katie and Ella running into the house. "Mommy!!!" "Mom!!" "Mom, I didn't say it!!!" "Mom, Mom, Mom . . . Ella said something mean about you," and even other exclamations were heard as K