This stopped me in my tracks today.

i hope it will brighten your perspective.

As it did mine.

Have a wonderful weekend.

I am...

I am feeling really good lately. Its a nice change having all of the happy and uplifting thoughts flood my mind. They are all coming so quickly and in massive groups, its slightly overwhelming. But wonderful, so wonderful. So much is changing, my days, my thoughts, my reactions. I couldnt be happier about it all.


I am reading like crazy. I have piles of books, new and old, that I cant wait to dive into. And, I am actually enjoying working out. Crazy huh? Dance is great, and always so much fun! I took my very first spin class and, oh my god, it was intense. I literally thought I was going to die.  But afterwards, I felt amazing. And Im doing stuff again, just getting out and doing stuff, just to do stuff. 


I am learning Italian! AH! I am so excited I might just pee myself. I have always wanted to learn Italian, I mean I am Italian after all. But Ive always heard people tell me to take something more practical. So I did, I learned Spanish in high school, and dont get me wrong, I loved it. I would still like to continue to learn more. But Italian...its in me. It has always had this seductive quality about it, luring me in. I want to speak Italian, I need to speak Italian. I am going to speak Italian!


I am content. I like where I am at right now. Yes, I need to keep working hard on my goals and dreams, I know. I am no where near where I would like to be, but for now, right now, I feel content. I feel happy. I feel that I am doing good things for myself. And I dont think it gets any better than that.

How are you? 

Are you happy/content, 

or still working to get there?

Lookin on the bright side...

Yes. Today was not the greatest of days.

Until, I decided to turn it into one by looking at the bright side.

Here are some "bright side" moments from my day today.

I finished one of my handmade gifts and its lovely.

Little O (the baby I work with) entertained me all day.

I sent my fathers birthday card out this morning.

I was blessed with a lot of down time at work today.

I recieved a postcard from a good friend in Germany.

I have three new netflix ready and waiting to be watched.

I decided how I am wrapping my holiday gifts.

My apartment was warm when I got home.

I am cooking a yummy dinner.

The boyfriend is on his way over.

I truly believe that you can control the way you react to things.

The second i decided to look on the bright side,

things actually strarted feeling brighter.

What was waiting for you on your brightside?

Inspired...

I am feeling so incredibly inspired. The last couple of days have been such a turn around for me. I can breath. I can even see light. I have been busy and happy and thoughtful. I have been crafting and writing and planning. Yes, planning. For the future even. Its been amazing. I am so grateful for my new perspective. I am simply loving life. 

Whirlwind...

Yesterday was a whirlwind. Literately. There was a massive wind storm while I was at work. Trees bent and leaves flew. My first day back to work after a couple of sick days and a weekend had officially kicked my butt. And at the end of the day I had felt as though I was standing out in the middle of the storm rather than watching it through the rain soaked window panes.

But...

When I left work and walked up to my jeep I saw a something taped securely and severely to my window.

It was a mixed CD from the boyfriend with a lovely little note. (BTW his name isnt Don, it is an inside joke we have with CDs.) It was full of hip hop (my fave) and ended with the song from the post below! Perfect! Sometimes I feel like I am the luckiest girl in the world.

You dont always have to lift yourself out of a bad day.

Sometimes, if youre lucky, some one will come along and do it for you.

Tips for a better LIFE...

1. Don’t say “yes” when you mean “no.” It’ll make you resentful. Say what you mean and mean what you say.

2. When driving, if someone wants to get in front of you, let him in front of you. And do it with a smile. It’ll make his day better, and it’ll make you feel good. You just changed the world.

3. Try to make a gratitude list each day. Include big things and little things. Invite your friends to make their own lists; you can all email one another each day, sharing your gratitude.

4. Don’t be a problem solver when a friend just wants you to be a listener.

5. Call your parents or grandparents. Sometimes, a five-minute phone call is all they need to feel loved.

6. Be a good neighbor: Be considerate inside and outside your home/apartment so your noise doesn’t bother those around you. That includes opening and closing your front door quietly.

7. Pee in the shower. If we each did this once a day, it would save an enormous amount of water and toilet paper (trees).

8. Write a “fan letter.” Tell someone you know, or someone you’ve never met, why you admire him or her. You’ll make someone’s day.

9. Curb your jealousy. Be happy for others.

10. Be willing to be wrong. If someone has a grievance with you, really try to see her point of view. If called for, apologize. It’s hard to do, but it feels really good and makes life so much easier.

11. If you are in a room with someone you don’t know, introduce yourself right away. It takes away the social discomfort immediately.

12. Pick a cause close to your heart, and get involved. You don’t have to quit your job and dive in headfirst. Just get involved on some level and do what you can when you can. Go slightly beyond your comfort zone but don’t overextend yourself.

13. Be a good friend to your friends. Tell them what’s good about them, that you appreciate them, and make the effort to spend time with them.

14. Go vegetarian. Animals raised and slaughtered for food suffer immeasurably. Visit GoVeg.com for a free vegetarian starter kit.

15. Do your best to think good thoughts. They affect your health, happiness, and the people around you.

16. Do something frivolous for someone you love. (It doesn’t have to be extravagant.) It feels so good to do nice things for other people, it’s almost selfish!

17. Practice accepting compliments. The person complimenting you is giving you a gift. Receive it graciously, even if it is difficult.

18. Be generous with your compliments. Don’t blow smoke up anyone’s ass. Just say nice things when they occur to you.

19. Forgive those who have wronged you. Holding onto anger and resentment poisons your body and your life. There are no benefits in staying mad. Let go. It’s okay.

20. Forgive yourself. It’s okay to be imperfect and to have made mistakes. Try to do better, that’s all.

Tips for a better life by Rory Freedman

Awesome Day 25: Crafty Cheer Up!

Today was a normal gloomy day in Portland. The clouds have officially moved in and they had been hanging pretty low today. I was in a gloom myself. I just felt heavy, and I was hating it. I didnt want to give in to it, I didnt want to give in to the gloom. So when I got home, I pulled out my craft box. I was going to create my way out of this gloom. I decided to make a necklace. I have had this beautiful tank top for years now that I have never been able to get rid of. It doesnt fit me anymore, but I just love it. So I decided to make a necklace out of it.  Just added some additional material and some feathers! It is beautiful and I love it.

There she is.

What do you think?

Oh to sleep...

I have been having trouble sleeping lately. This is a problem i never  have. I am an excellent sleeper. Seriously, if it were a sport I could make some money. But the last few nights have been really rough due to some neck and back issues and all I can think about all day is going to sleep. And this beautiful, light, flowing tent of slumber has been mocking my thoughts all day. I will get it together though. I have high hopes in tonight. And once I regain my stance, I will be back to posting and sharing with all of you. I have some wonderful awesomes to wrap up and endless inspirations ive been dying to share. Thank you for hanging in there with me.

Everything Happens For a Reason...

Well, I was right. Weird how that happens sometimes. In all of my experience with jobs, every time something had fizzled out, or in this case, had been completely stamped out, something better was waiting for me just around the corner. That is why it was pretty easy for me to keep a good perspective on all of this.

I had met a wonderful family on Sunday evening. We both just fell in love with each other. There was truly an instant comfort and friendship. I was so excited at the prospect of working with such adorable little children (7 month old girl and a 3 year old boy) and some of the greatest, most laid back and generous parents I have encountered. It all reminded me of my best job yet and the bond that I had created and still carry with the family. I was ecstatic!

So Wednesday, I went back over there for the second meeting for a few more questions and to meet the Grandma! It was great. And...I got hired! I got the job! I couldnt be more: grateful, happy, excited, appreciative, etc. It is an amazing position and opportunity. Great kids, with a great schedule, amazing bosses, tons of time off, and a situation that allows me to be a great nanny while pursuing the other passions in my life. I am blessed.

It all goes to show that everything happens for a reason. With change comes opportunity, and I am ready. I am so ready.

a good day...

Today. A good day. Might even be a great day, but she doesnt want to get ahead of herself, its only 11:00am. She hasnt had a day like today in far too long. She has needed a today more than she could have known. Whats so special about today you ask? Nothing, really. In fact, this day could have gone in a very different direction for her...

She woke up much earlier than she normally does. The buses were driving by outside her window as they normally do, but instead of hitting the snooze and pulling the covers over her ears, she sat up and started her day. She hopped in the shower and washed away yesterday. With her wet hair twirled up inside her towel, she brushed her teeth with enthusiasm, a nontypical morning happening for her. She was eager, and had not a clue as to why. She dressed, gathered her things, and left a note on the mirror for her roommate. As she headed down the hallway towards the elevator, she realized just how early she was. She even had time to go next door to her favorite coffee shop to do a little writing. As she walked toward her car to put one of her bags away, she realized, it was no where to be found. Her car had been towed. But instead of getting upset, she giggled and headed back up to her apartment to make some calls and find it. After just a couple of calls and a few minutes of sardonic smalltalk, she had located her car and found out how much it would cost to retrieve it. The price was not as terrible as it could have been, and she was thankful! Her roommate offered up her car in replacement and she gladly accepted. Her attitude as stayed just as pleasant about everything else she has encountered.

She has a good feeling that she can ride this wave of positivity late into the night. Although many of the things that went on today are not usually construed as positive especially when collected together into one morning, she still wishes everyday could be as great as today.