Sunday, September 28, 2008

Lazy Sunday Morning!

Don't you just love a lazy Sunday morning? This whole weekend has been rather lazy! I love it! We've spent the past many, many weekends going to christenings, showers, birthday parties etc... AAAAHHHH finally a weekend to do nothing. Yesterday as you know I worked on changing the layout of this blog while all the men in the house went to the homecoming game at the High School (we lost :() and then we all went for chinese food for dinner. This morning I woke up around 8:15. Chatted with husband for a bit. He got up and went to the living room to watch the Formula 1 race with older son Michael. I pulled the covers over my head for another half hour. I peeked my head out of the covers and grabbed the laptop to have a look around the blog world for a little while. I got up for about 10 minutes to make coffee and grab a bowl of cereal and then headed back to bed. Sitting up in bed with my cereal and coffee, I turned on the television and flipped around there for a while. Then I called my mom to talk to her for about an hour. Then my husband came back to bed for another chat, followed by daughter Marissa and then middle son Mark. Before you know it all 5 of us were hanging out in our room (kids to big to hop into bed) having a nice chat. I'm getting up now! At 12:15! I sent my husband out for the paper, so I could get the coupons to go grocery shopping. While he's out, I'll jump in the shower. I do need to go grocery shopping. I will at least do that today. But sometimes we all need to just relax and do nothing.
Here is today's affirmation: "Life is simple and easy. All that I need to know at any given moment is revealed to me. I trust myself and I trust life. All is well."

I think the affirmation speaks for itself. Sometimes we just need to relax and reset our clocks.
When was the last time you spent some time to yourself and relax?

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Changing the Layout is HARD!!!!!

As you can see I have changed the layout of the blog. I think I like this one much better. I have added some new things and kept some of the old things. I have added a poll to the left- Please vote and tell me if you like the new layout! Feel free to leave a comment.
No affirmation right now- Check back later for an update on this post and I'll have an affirmation for the day!

Friday, September 26, 2008

Doing the Happy Dance!


Last night several family and friends gathered at my home for a cash in your jewelry party. It was quite prosperous for all of us- including me the hostess. Two jewelers came to my house, set up their equipment for appraising jewelry, and bought my guests' unwanted jewelry from them. This was a different kind of gathering. It was unlike the usual, candle, home interior, pamperend chef, lia sofia type party, where you come, watch a demonstration, buy more than you can afford and leave feeling guilty for having spent so much. There was no demonstration, just sign up for your turn to sell the stuff some boyfriend, who you can't remember his name anymore, gave you in high school. I made 10% of what was sold- which came out to about $500! I did quite a little happy dance. Nobody left unhappy. The highest seller was a guest who came with an invited friend. She wasn't going to come and boy is she lucky she came- she went home with $1,200. Somebody else made a similar amount and that money is being donated to sponsor her niece at a fundraiser for Lymphoma. I was very excited to hear that. I feel good that eventhough my original intension for having the party was for me to make some money, that some of the money acquired was going to benefit more than those at the party last night. So, today I am on a nice little high and it's pay day at work- double happy dance!!!

Here is today's affirmation: "I prosper wherever I turn. I now see opportunities for abundance everywhere. I am blessed and prosper."
Last month when I received an invitation to the house of a friend whom I have not seen in a while to come and cash in my old jewelry, I had a feeling that attending would bring me additional opportunity to prosper. I hesitated and some people thought it was a hoax to get me to buy something. But I went with my hunch and took the opportunity, I was right and now I've cashed in. Today I am truly grateful for that opportunity.
So, here's your chance to do the "Happy Dance" with me. Don't turn from opportunity. When you see the chance to take another step towards reaching your goals- don't let others talk you out of it. Grab all the opportunities you can get and GO FOR IT! The additional $500 is not a life changing amount, but it sure does make me do a "Happy Dance" and that feels good. And when we emit good feelings out into the universe more good things come to us.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Family

"To put the world right in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right."
Confucius

We spent the weekend at a family baptism in Virginia. My husband's nephew and his wife had a baby boy in June. That makes my mother-in-law a great- grandmother and my husband and I a great-uncle and great-aunt. YIKES! That's just too much for me to handle. We packed the kids, the mother in-law and some bags in the car and traveled 5 hours in the car down to Virginia. It was a nice weekend spent visiting with family and enjoying the new baby. My daughter looked pretty in her dress and my boys looked quite dapper in suits!(That's a rare occasion and I took lots of pictures as I may never see them like that again for a long, long, long time!) I really don't have much else to say- We all had a nice time and I'm looking forward to more good times ahead!
Here is today's affirmation: "I am surrounded by people I Love and who Love me.
I am at peace with myself and those around me. I know that I am safe and that I am loved."
This is my definition of family. Even my 14 year old son reconnected himself with the family. I think I'm beginning to see my sonny boy starting to come back to life!
Share with me some of your great family moments. What is your definition of family?

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Love Your Body- No Matter What!

I haven't been to a primary care doctor in many, many, years. Well, today I had a complete physical done and I am so glad that I did. I needed my doctor to say it to my face "You need to lose weight." "Everything else is fine but, you need to lose weight." He's absolutley right. This is what I needed to hear to motivate me. So, I'll be back on the treadmill bright and early tomorrow morning. He also prescribed a bunch of blood work, which I will have done one morning this week. I'll keep you all posted. I know how to lose weight, the hardest part is keeping it off. This is the struggle.
Here is an update on the previous post on seeing old friends- My brother decided to go ahead and tell my mom about the illnesses of her closest friend. She was sad for her friends but her reply to him was "That explains a lot!" Evidently she did pick up on the changes in her friend and just didn't know what it was. My brother approached the subject with kindness and care. I was glad that he did it!
Today's Affirmation Reads: "I love my body. I create peacefulness in my mind, and my body reflects this peacefulness as perfect health."
I know that I am healthy! I am in the process of losing weight. Today I faced the truth and now I am ready to face it head on and do something about it.
When have you faced the truth about something in your life and used that truth to make a positive change?

Monday, September 15, 2008

Seeing Old Friends Again

Hello again friends. It's been quite a weekend. I went with to a bridal shower in New Jersey with my mom and my sister-in-law (my brother's wife). It was a very beautiful event held in an historical building. At the shower we reunited with some very close family friends that we haven't seen in more than a year. We are so close to them that we call them "aunt" and "uncle" and we consider their kids- "cousins". My mother thoroughly enjoyed reconnecting with her old friend. But I noticed something different about my "aunt". She seemed over happy and kept saying the same thing over and over again. Well my "cousins" asked my sister-in-law and me how my mom was doing since my dad has past now five years last Monday, and did we notice anything different about their mom? I said that my mom was doing fine- she misses my dad tremendously but she is ok. I also said that I did notice a difference in their mom. They proceeded to tell my sister-in-law and me that their mom was diagnosed with alzheimers. That news went through me like a knife. My mom did not hear us speaking. I looked across the table at my mom and "aunt" talking and laughing. My mom did not pick up on the difference in her long time friend. I said to my "cousins" "I'm not going to tell her this news today. She's having too good of a time". They said that I should tell her before we meet again at the upcoming wedding because we will notice a huge difference in their dad as well. He has been diagnosed with parkinsons disease- another shot to the heart! This news is going to upset my mom very much. It will have to be done with much care and love. It breaks my heart to have to tell her this. This news upsets me also, as I care for this family very much. I have such great memories of growing up with this family. We've been together through so much happiness and some sadness. This family already has many challenges. The oldest daughter who is 47 has M.S. and has been living with it now for about 10 years. She has a strong personality and a great attitude towards her illness. She does not let it stop her from enjoying her life. She can no longer walk without assistance and most times uses a wheelchair. The younger daughter who is my age has a son with multiple disabilities including severe autism. She too is strong and does her best to live life to the best she can and helps her other son live as normal life as he can. Now they have this devistating news about their parents. They have a younger brother who has a lovely healthy family- he is their rock as well. They are facing their parents illnesses with such bravery and confidence to do everything they can to help their parents face their struggles with courage. I admire their strength. I'm hoping for the same strength when my brother and I sit down and give my mom this devastating news. I came away from this weekend with such gratitude for all of my wonderful blessings- we are all healthy and living a good life. All of the little things that I gripe about are nothing compared to the struggles that our long time friends face every day!
Today's Affirmation Reads: "As I say yes to life, life says yes to me. Life mirrors my every thought. As I keep my thoughts positive, life brings to me only good experiences."
These are the thoughts that I keep saying to myself to give me strength to stay positive through this horrible news. This affirmation will help me to speak with mom with love and care and help support her when she hears about the illnesses of her friends.
Have you gotten through some tough situations using the power of positive thinking?

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Make A Joyful Noise!


Everyday I walk by our music teacher's classroom a countless number of times. Each time I pass his door I read the banner that he has hanging outside his door. It reads "Make A Joyful Noise". The banner also has a picture of a musical instrument. Everytime I read the banner, I say to myself "I like that saying". The more I read it, the more I begin to see a different meaning to the words written on the banner, other than the meaning of make beautiful music. It made me ask myself, what kind of noise do I make? Am I loud and annoying? Am I angry and shouting? Do I sound unkind? Do I complain and moan? Or do I make a pleasant noise? Am I soft and soothing? Am I reassuring and encouraging? Do I offer hope? Am I easy listening? It seems that "The squeaky wheel always gets the most attention". Why do we give attention to those who complain the most, moan the most yell the most? Everytime we give attention to negative behavior, we get more negative behavior. We keep paying attention to it in the hope that it will shut up and leave us alone. But it never does. The squeaky wheel just keeps on squeaking. Pay attention to negative behavior and we get more negative behavior. I like to live by the saying "You get more bees with honey than you do with vinegar". If we pay more attention to the nice noises, we will get more pleasing sounds. It's pleasing to the ear. Makes us feel good inside. Encourages us to do more for eachother. It makes us pleasant to be around. We wouldn't want to shut eachother up and make people go away. So think to yourself. Do you make a joyful noise?
Today's Affirmation Reads: "I experience love wherever I go. Love is everywhere, and I am loving and lovable. Loving people fill my life, and I find myself easily expressing love to others."
Make a joyful noise everyday and your cup will runneth over with love!

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Goosebumps!

I am quite an avid Oprah watcher. Listening to this little girl on Oprah yesterday gave me GOOSEBUMPS! Watch and you'll see. I bet you get chills when you hear her.

This girl is 16 year old Charise Pempengco she has the most amazing voice. She is also an amazing young lady. She has triumphed through many obstacles in he young life and she uses her gift of voice to help her family. Her strength and her God given talent brings me to tears and I get chills when I hear her sing. If I feel that way, I can only imagine how her mom feels! As moms we feel everything our children go through. We are extatic when they triumph and we are hurt and feel their sadness when they are down. Charise's mom must feel 10 feet tall. This makes me remember all of the times when I get goosebumps for my own kids. One time that comes to mind is my daughter's first dance recital. She was only four years old. I sat on the edge of my seat watching her every step. I had seen the routine millions of times as I watched her in her class every week. I knew every step and lived every step in my head as she performed it on stage. I sat with my heart in my mouth as she did a forward roll and prayed that she wouldn't forward roll right off the stage! She and her friends performed the routine flawlessly(always looking at the teacher who was in the wings telling them evey move). I had tears in my eyes, a lump in my throat, and the hairs on my arm stood up straight. It was her only number that day, but to me it was the best one in the whole show. Yesterday, she started her new season of dance- 6 classes a week! This is her 7th season. She will be in multiple numbers and she loves every minute of it and I still get GOOSEBUMPS. Only now it's several times throughout the show! So, if I can get goosebumps from my daughter's local recital, I can only imagine how Charise's mom feels.
Today's Affirmation Reads: "I open new doors to life. I rejoice in what I have, and I know that fresh new experiences are always ahead. I greet the new with open arms. I trust life to be wonderful."
I am grateful for all of the wonderful moments that I have with my children. They make me so proud with all of their accoomplishments (I will share more about my sons on future postings). I look forward to all of the future wonderful moments that I will have with them, graduations, weddings, new jobs etc..
What is your proudest moment? What new experiences are ahead for you and how will you approach them?

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Be A Part of the Solution!

Getting back to work this week has been great. A little hectic- but very successful. It will be even greater on Friday when the first paycheck of the school year is deposited into my bank account. The end of every summer is always quite a financial challenge for us. The summer check that I get in June is usually gone by the end of July. When we are home, we eat more, we go out more in short-we spend more! This year is no exception- we ate a lot, we went out a lot and now there isn't a lot! I could complain! I could blame everybody for eating us out of house and home. We could have stayed in all summer- that would have been boring! Instead, I decided to just work with what we have. So this is the week that I have to get crafty with expenses. I only bought a half a tank of gas (I can now get around until Friday). I disguised leftovers into a new dinner (nobody suspected a thing). I will be bringing my own lunch to work (I raid the change jar each day so I can buy a cup of coffee and a bottle of water). I've got two more days of craftiness until all is well again. Aside from being crafty with finances, I have to say that our first 5 days of school have been very successful. All have been getting up without a fuss- including mom!!! We have all been on time- including mom!!!!
Today's Affirmation Reads: "I release all criticism. I only give out that which I wish to receive in return. My love and acceptance of others is mirrored in me in every moment."
I have approached this new school year with a positive outlook. I have offered my assistance to new teachers and have offered to help in anyway that will help someone's day to run smoother. When some people are quick to criticise or complain, I will stop for a moment, take a deep breath and then help to create solutions rather than spend time and energy complaining and criticising which only adds fuel to fire. One of my favorite sayings reads "If you're not part of the solution then you are part of the problem."
I would love to hear how you work the problem instead of complaining. Help us to all be a part of the solution!

Friday, September 5, 2008

1st Week of School!

School is in! It has been a crazy week. I have been away from the blogging world for a couple of days and I missed everybody. I'm back now. The first week of school is always very hectic for teachers. I have been so exhausted these past couple of days I've been coming home and falling asleep for an hour before making dinner. However, I am very grateful to get back to work. I truly love my job! I haven't met with any students yet as it is too early to tell which students will need my help in math. I have spent my days setting up computers, meeting with new teachers, attending workshops, and tending to last minute setting up. So, I guess this entry will be about my gratitude for my job.
Some things I love about being a teacher:
I am grateful for the growth that the students make.
I am grateful for working with the teachers to help them better implement math and technology into the curriculum.
I am grateful for the teaching assistants who work for me. They really help to make my job easier.
I am grateful for the friends that I have made these past 20 years. They are relationships that I will cherish for the rest of my life even past retirement.

Today's Affirmation: "I am at peace. Divine peace and harmony surround me and dwell in me. I feel tolerance, compassion and love for all people, myself included."

Feeling gratitude for my job gives me a great feeling of peace in my world. When I enjoy what I do, I feel joy with the rest of my life. I have studied and worked hard to achieve my place in my school. This gives me a great sense of satisfaction and PEACE!
Below you will find a video to watch Abraham Hicks explain the Appreciation vs. Gratitude.

Ok, so I'm working on moving toward apprecation!

Here is another video to help you meditate your gratefulness or appreciation:



I hope this can help you in your journey in finding complete appreciation for all that you have in your universe.