Why Wait!

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do.

So throw off the bowlines.

Sail away from the safe harbor.

Catch the trade winds in your sails.

Explore. Dream. Discover.

-H. Jackson Brown

Picture This!

		I am hijacking this post!! What a beautiful picture. I must admit, last night I was looking at multi-family listings in florida so we could all move there. WOW. I wouldnt mind waking u to this every morning (I know it's not Orlando). Hey let's make a pact, when I make my first million in a couple of years, we'll do it!

Beautiful

The Tiger has Ripples too!! Beautiful Picture!!

Love the art work!! No cranky pants!

 

Be the sunlight that escapes us today!!

Ripple Effect

Be the change you want to see in the World. -Gandhi

I attended a dedication yesterday for an institute named for a very special man. The speakers spoke of a man who was brilliant, kind, caring, passionate and compassionate. He is all of those things and has inspired many people to do great things, things they perhaps never thought they could. The them for this ceremony and celebration of this man was the ripple even the smallest river rock can make. Every ripple touches another and continues to infinity.

So the quote..be the change you want to see and pass it on..its not hard!

The weather is crummy, it's Wednesday - good material for the crankies! NOT GONNA LET IT HAPPEN!!!  Have a great day!!

Tiger Lustre

I took this picture at the Animal Kingdom at Disney. It was a beautiful warm, sunny, breezy day. The Tiger was sunning itself and looked SOOO beautiful, I was so pleased to get this picture. What a beautiful creature the Tiger is. But you know what? We are all beautiful creatures just like this Tiger. All of us with unique stripes and colors, remember that as we head into a chilly Tuesday morning! Much LOVE!

Tuesday

If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything.-Mark Twain

 

      I like this quote because it is useful in all aspects of life. At home I always tell the kids...don't lie always tell the truth. At work I tell people, and the lawyers tell the people don't lie! And if you really don't remember  just say so!! That's the truth! Some say the truth is in the lie so tell the truth  for to lie is ultimately much more difficult!

Another Ranter!! Probably because it is a Jersey Winter, to make matters worse Monday!!

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.-Eleanor Roosevelt

 

Work is a crazy thing. I vote for a 4 day work week. Don't you think  we would be all so much more effective if we did not have to live our normal life in 2 days…2 days where most of the world shuts down…. For example who has the time to manage their money…. We are stealing company time if we go on line to bank. So….Either you hate TD bank or you understand them. They realize the American way of life is screwed up… so they pass it on to their team (work 7 days a week. For all their goodness they have joined corporate America and have proven themselves how corporate America pushes their employees and has turned financial sympathy into a very lucrative business which includes lots of surcharges) So…. really why would a bank want to make it easier for you to have access to your money? Years ago they would hold your money until it was to their interest to release it…now they simply charge you to have access to your own money and are making millions!!!Another way to take advantage of the hard working middle class…..Who works for the middle class while we are too busy working to make ends meet?

Weekend

Be yourself, everyone else is already taken!-Oscar Wilde

 

Great weekend! Had a super family day yesterday church, shopping and breakfast at the PM Diner! It is funny how life goes around the PM Diner used to be a late night, after the party and dancing, place. We called it the dead diner because everyone who worked there looked near death, gray in color with large dark circles under their eyes. Of course it might have been because they are working the night (aka, Graveyard) shift. The diner was moved and a McDonalds put in its place but several years later it was resurrected in a place about 1 mile south of its old location on the other side of Route 35. The servers there now look healthier but that may have to do with the fact that we no longer are there at 3 am in the morning! We are usually there for a quick lunch between 12 and 3pm. Life changes but it's all good!!

Happy Friday!

This is my favorite day of the week. I can come home, relax and go to bed knowing I don't have to wake up early and rush to work. AWESOME!!

It's gonna be a great weekend!

Friends

Here together, friends forever. Some things were meant to be, and that's you and me. -Winnie-the-Pooh

Beautiful Pink Jade!!

Laughter is timeless. Imagination has no age. And dreams are forever. –Walt Disney

 

Love the picture!!!! She is a Cutie, Beauty and the ultimate picture of HAPPY!!!!!

 

More on Happiness

People are just as happy as they make their minds up to be. –Abraham Lincoln

 

This is so true and we are all working so hard to be happy. One thing we have to realize is that although we can try to impact other people's happiness only they can make themselves happy. I think in life while there is a lot of tragedy and unhappiness but I believe there is more happiness than the world realizes. Because our culture is so focused on the negative, tragic and dramatic people are bombarded with all that is unhappy. This is kind of ironic because I have been noticing that there are many books, on line blogs, and chats on social media that are focusing on happiness, especially among our middle age friends. Happiness, unfortunately, has not gone main stream primarily because the negative, tragic and dramatic sells ads and buys viewers.

I love shows like CSI but these shows are tragic and dramatic and focus on horrible situations. But there is also mystery and intrigue. There are so many of these shows out there and on TV every day nearly every hour. When I think about happiness and the influence main stream media has on happiness and society it scares me that so many people, young people, watch these shows. These shows may be intriguing they but are so violent had highlight the dysfunctional members of our society. The influences these shows have on society, especially our children, concern me.  Tragedy is a part of life and has been part of theatre and culture since the beginning of time but with communication being what it is today society is overwhelmed with tragic, violent, and negative drama.

So I vote for more mainstream media focus on happiness, being positive and having fun! Perhaps this will help to curb some of the horrible violence we see on the news every day!

Have a happy!!!!

 

Life

Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving. –Albert Einstein

This is why humans need to exercise, and not only their body but their brains! The term, " use it or you'll lose it", is so true. When you use your body and brain regularly it improves...I consider work a work out for my brain…among other things. Challenging your body physically, like say running a half marathon. Initially after this long distance one may feel some discomfort but eventually it makes one feel stronger, proud and wanting more!

Riding a bike can a little more challenging, but fun. It was when I stopped that I feel off my new Christmas bike! So this quote also makes me laugh!! Lesson learned…. when on a bike you must keep moving or you will fall down! I guess as Einstein says to keep your balance in life you must keep moving or you may fall down.

Be happy on this chilly Wednesday

I Love Pink and I Love to Laugh!!

I believe in pink. I believe that laughter is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles. -Audrey Hepburn

 

This is so true especially the part about laughter being the best calorie burner!! Burn baby burn!!! So what does this tell us...hang with people who make you laugh and laugh a lot!! Being happy does make one better looking and PINK, despite all the other significance it has, is a HAPPY Color!!!

Be Happy!

People

People are funny. You can learn a lot about yourself through people. There are people who make you happy, sad, anxious, amorous etc. and all you need to ask yourself is "why?" and you have great insights into yourself.

I'm going through a phase where I only want to be with people who make me happy. Why? Because I want to be happy, I want to laugh, I want to feel loved and good about myself. When I'm with the people who make me happy I feel all of those things.

On the other hand, there are people in my life who I can not avoid and make me feel anything but happy.  This is my curse and blessing all wrapped up with a pretty pink sparkly bow. How do I feel about the people who make me anxious, second guess myself, make me feel insecure, not worthy? I now know, after MANY years of dealing with this "issue" that these people do not have the power to make me feel all of those things, how I feel is my reaction to their actions and words.

So what does all of this mean? It's how I react to people that matters. Do I let peoples words and actions get under my skin, do I give them the power to turn a good day into a bad one? Do I give them the power to take away minutes and hours of my time with negative thoughts about who I am and what I do? No freaking way baby! I am done.

As you know, this is my year of doing things differently. From this point on I will walk confidently and happily into every moment and not let the negative people get in my way or occupy my space. Life is too short and AWESOME to waste one second in a bad place.  Will I stand up for myself? Yes. Will I honor my feelings about people and situations? Yes. Will I be the beacon of happiness in this crazy world? Yes! Will I drive people crazy? YES! but that's OK, that's who I am and I'm OK with that!!

P.S. Dad is such an inspiration. What a freaking awesome dude. When I stop to think about what he has been through, and the challenges he has overcome. He embodies the true essence of living life to the fullest! It makes all of the negative stuff sooooo insignificant and small. We are blessed!

Sparkle!

We are all of us stars, we deserve to twinkle.-Marilyn Monroe

Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but great people make you feel that you, too, can become great. –Mark Twain

Your Sparkle,  Ambition, and Brilliance will only piss off people who have neither!!

So Sparkle and Twinkle today...really piss people.....Fred off!!!

You go girl!

OHANA

Ohana means family. And family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten. – Lilo

No rants today about the society. Today I celebrate my family. I think I knew that Ohana means family but it really sunk in when I saw it in print. I can't wait to go back to Disney and celebrate Family at Ohana. We tried to get in there this trip but could not. The celebration at Ohana is, in retrospect having celebrated previous happy times there, it is very obvious that the meals and happy times celebrated there are all about family. You eat family style; you celebrate children and family and have a lot of fun.

We are so fortunate to have such a wonderful family!! And words can't even begin to describe the joy our trip has brought me. To visit Molly, Clayton and Paulie, with mom and dad, Dee, Scott and Jade!!! And to be in Disney World at the beautiful Yacht and Beach Resort all together who blessed and lucky I am. I cried when we left but I felt as though that should be it (No blubbering until Savannah) because I am so blessed to have had this experience that I should be happy, very happy. And I am. Really…I would love to live in Florida, especially this time of year, work at Disney World and be near Molly, Clayton and Paul, but we have deep roots here in New Jersey so we have to…plan the next trip and create a plan to get down there more often.

Well I am kind of in a rush today...have to get back to work.

I love my family and thank God for all of the blessings I have, especially my awesome family…each and every one of you!!!!

Big Girl

Jade was very proud of the fact that she could hold Paulie "with one hand". She LOVED spending time with her baby cousin, he loved her too. She is bringing this picture to school tomorrow to show all of her friends. AWESOME memories all around!!

Back To Work

In my year of doing things differently, I am heading back to work after a LOVELY week long vacation at Disney, with a spring in my step. Nothing is going to take away my happiness and memories of great fun with my entire family.

I had fantastic Aunt and Great Aunt time, sister, daughter, mom and wife time. Got home, got organized, went to church and even had time to go to my AWESOME studio. LIFE is GREAT.

I'm making a promise to myself, I'm not gonna sweat the small stuff (cranky bosses, stupid deadlines etc.) and am definitely making time for the big stuff (family, friends, art, exercise).

Whoo Hoo! Can't wait for our next family adventure!!

Sunshine

Remember, you're the one who can fill the world with sunshine. – Snow White

Sunny Florida offers plenty of sunshine even during the dreary winter season. I find in my life that although many of us from the North East are said to suffer from a newer malady called seasonal affective disorder, SAD for short…a fancy name for lack of light or lack of sunshine, sunshine is more than the light the sun projects on our earth.

Call me crazy but since the beginning of time the seasons have changed and people have endured the short days of winter time. Perhaps the reason for the depression and fatigue, aka SAD, experienced during this time of year is rooted in other causes. The cynic in me wants to blame corporate American for the rat race that the hard working American citizens are subjected to and suggest that if the work day and work week were shorter, kinder and gentler, we would be able to see just a little sun on any given winter day. The other cynic in me wants to blame the medical establishment especially the pharmaceutical industry who jump to create new maladies in order to allow care providers to have a reimbursable diagnosis that can be treated with their existing quick fix medications like Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft. Perhaps the folks who suffer from SAD are simply sad, or perhaps suffer from depression but a SAD diagnosis is easier to swallow because it means you only have a temporary mental illness that can be cured by sunshine and a little R & R (in case you forget what that means folks it means Rest and Relaxation, so put down your Blackberries and i-Phones and go to Florida for a week!)

I propose that what we all need are more people in our lives who shine, people who shine even brighter than the sun. Surround yourself with positive, fun loving, and happy people. I am lucky enough to live in a very happy house. I grew up in a family who always saw the glass half full…well not always we all have our moments…but most of the time even when the chips were down… and believe me we have had those times… being positive, seeing the sun beyond the clouds has helped improve the quality of my life and that of my entire family and gotten us through some trying times.

People are the sunshine through the clouds, rain and dark winter days. So some advice from a gal who had a wicked witch trying to do her in, who was taking care of seven vertically challenged men (Can you imagine!!), and looking for her prince charming. Anyone has the ability to fill the world with sunshine so let's go! We all have the capacity to fill the world with sunshine!

Lucky

How lucky I am to have something that makes saying good bye so hard-
Winnie -the-Pooh

I have always loved Winnie-the-Pooh. As I was looking up quotes today I
came across this one and it put my sadness and tears into perspective
and while I will
miss Molly, Clayton, and Paulie terribly
How lucky am I to have them in my life!?

This quote also makes me think about some special people in my life who
have had to say a final good bye within he past few months and another
thought from a very tender, sweet and rather brilliant story about a
bear and his friends... if ever there is a tomorrow when we're not
together... there is something you must always remember; you are braver
than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think,
but the most important thing is, even if we're apart I will always be
with you ..... forever.

life is good

Life is really good when you have a great family! I am so blessed to
have spent the week with my family! My whole family! To have all the
kids together and watch Molly and Clayton with Paul he is such a joy
and has brought so much happiness to them and to us. It makes a mom's
heart sign to watch your own children share in the joys of raising a
family!
Sharing fun at Disney, mom and dad on Star Wars!!!! Priceless!! DeeDee
completing her first half marathon! Awesome! The four of us crossing
the finish line together!! Such fun!!!
Good times go too fast!!!
I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family....life is good!!!!!

Happines by Design

Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present.

You can however plan for happiness but it is your outlook each and every day that will determine your true happiness. Counting your blessings the good ones and the challenges we all face in this life. Everything that happens to you, good or bad can eventually bring happiness. Some may think that this is not so however if you think about it even in the worst of situations if you take the bright path goodness and therefore happiness will result. The magic of happiness is that it is contagious and that is a gift you can give to a perfect stranger. This is a blessing. So design happiness for yourself and pass it on!

 

Happiness is a State of Mind-Walt Disney

 

Whoop whoop!

What a fantastic day yesterday! Went to the magic kingdom, went on six rides (no big wait times), danced in a parade and finished with an AWESOME dinner at "Be our guest" the newest themed restaurant at the. Magic Kingdom!!

I love my family!!!!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Having coffee at the beach!!

Nothing profound to say, just that in my official year of "doing things differently" I'm having fun so far. I ran a half marathon, am on vacation with my entire family and I even went down the really high, fast and scary water slide.

This morning I took a beautiful walk around the "boardwalk" and am now sitting on the beach having my coffee. Can life get any better??? NO WAY! This is rockin' life baby!!!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Travel

Make up Post for Friday January 11, 2013

Traveling with a family is not always easy! When their little it's one thing, diapers, potties, portable cribs, strollers, wipes, bottles, "Babies", "Buzz Light Year", "Princesses" and "Tiggers".

When your kids get older it is a whole different story! So more cribs, strollers, and special toys. It does not, however get any easier! Now it's make up, outfits, cologne, hair gel, goggles,  i-phones, and all the cords and cables that go with them and whose is whose!! There is a lot of noise now! Many conversations usually beginning with ….I am right, she is wrong, he said, she said, he did, she did. "IT WASN'T ME!!" "Ma!"……."Ma!!"…."Ma!!!"…."MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA, he just hit me!".."Don't touch your sister!"……. "Ma!"……."Ma!!"…."Ma!!!"…."MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA, she just hit me!".. " Don't touch your brother!". "IT WASN'T ME!!"…" Ok neither of you touch each other!"…….."ma…he just…". "WHAT DID I JUST SAY!".

 You get the picture. So in my family we did what any respectable family of four would do, we replaced the old minivan with a Suburban! Everyone had their corner. It meant PEACE! At least for a while.

We have taken many long trips with our family, some in the minivan and many in the Suburban, having recently purchased our second large utility vehicle even though we now primarily have three children at home since our oldest daughter left us for sunny Florida, found, married a wonderful young man and now is a mother herself. So guess where we travel to most…yes that's right sunny Florida!

We left at 4:20 am on Thursday morning for sunny Florida for a vacation that we have all been looking forward to. Yes it is an ungodly hour but worth it because for the first time in 2 years we are all going to be to be together. My family, my sister's family, my mom and dad and yes, now I can say my daughter's young family. The only people missing are Bella, and Lady…they are actually me and my sisters dogs…and yes to us they are people but that is for some other time.

My husband and son wanted to drive straight through. I wanted a contingency plan. I lost we drove straight through. It was tough. I can't stand sitting for long periods of time. The kids get bored; get loud and then you know what starts…"Ma!"…..you know!

This time was different. I don't know if it because my children are older. I don't know if they finally understand it is not healthy for any of us when the craziness begins. This trip we laughed joked and laughed a lot more. The monotony of long trips is cause for some of use to say silly things like New Jersey is Florida North; New Jersey is just like Florida except Florida is warm and has palm trees. This statement for whatever reason sent all of us laughing out loud. Perhaps it was the boredom setting in or perhaps it is because it came from a mother who usually is slightly more intelligent in making factual analogies, maybe we will never know but this episode was relived several times now and still gives us pause for a giggle or two.

There is a bond that forms when you travel with your children, one that lives with you forever in those silly moments and yes even in those crazy moments. Most importantly it is a memory that lives within your children forever and will be a part of their lives as they grow and go on to have their own family.

 

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing"-Helen Keller

Let The Magic Continue!!!

We are keeping our promises sister! We are letting the magic continue and doing it in the right place! Let's make this a magical, awesome and life changing vacation! Stress sucks, we need to work on that!!! Have a safe trip . . . .

The gang is waiting for us!!!!

On Our Way

Spring Vacation Good Vibrations. Summer weather...We're together!
Hav'in a blast!
Every night a special occasion!
Trav'lin around livin the dream not Gonna stress not gonna worry!
:) :) :) :) :)!!!!!!!

A Dose of Disney is my Xanax

 

All the adversity I've had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me...You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.

-Walt Disney

Stress is killing me I can't wait to get to WDW with my family...they are who and what matters most!!!

Charming Gardners

I'm having fun finding quotes on happiness and then illustrating them. This quote appeals to me because it makes me think about who makes me happy. Who are your charming gardeners?

I find that when life gets busy or "juicy" as I like to call it, I don't necessarily make hanging with my "charming gardeners" a priority. Why have fun when there's work to do? This year I'm changing that!

My advice? Surround yourself this year with your "charming gardeners" not only will they make you happy, they will make your soul blossom.

Crazy Game Last Night!

Good game Crimson Tide!! Next year Notre Dame... call me maybe... Deacon Blues..
They got a name for the winners in the world I want a name when I loose they call Alabama the Crimson Tide...call me Deacon Blues!!!

Defeat

There is victory, and defeat; the first and the best of victories, the worst and lowest of defeats which each man gains or sustains at the hands of not another, but of himself.-Plato 

My Advice for Monday Morning!

Dream Days Count Down

If your heart is in your dream no request is to extreme. 

No Quote

OK.. So no quote today. Little Christmas the gifts of the Majji. Church was great celebrated Christmas again sang carols...fun. Father told us we are the gift and this is our mission ...this year... be positive and to help and support each other and that this is the true gift. I agree. SO here we go to Disney and what is the gift ...family... and all of us together...running...hanging......and...dancing!!!!

Mama Quote

Ok so I made my own first meaningful quote of the year…of ever.

"Being a mom is like an extreme sport! A marathon of Extreme Heartache and Extreme Happiness!"

So I got my first several likes on Facebook. It was fun. 

The boys have moved beyond the trials of yesterday, so must I..this is hard for a mom. My Skier had a great day...and Mr. Sunshine will swim tomorrow and we got a glowing report from the school psychologist..he up for re-evaluation for next year as he transitions to the middle school which is why he had an evaluation. Hard worker, high IQ.

As always proud and blessed mom!!!

Humor, don't leave home without it!

A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs. It's jolted by every pebble on the road.
Henry Ward Beecher 

You ever meet anyone like this? I sure have and you know what the funny thing is? More often than not, I will change my behavior (i.e. stifle my sense of humor) to make humorless people feel comfortable. Is that ridiculous? Yes!

They say life hands you lessons until you master them, then you get new lessons. Well, facing people with no sense of humor has been the life lesson I have not mastered yet. Why do I feel I need to change to make other people feel comfortable? And I wonder why I feel totally drained when I am around humorless people. Hello!!

This year I an on a quest, a huge mission to not let anyone or any situation take away my light, my humor or happiness. My sense of humor sustains me, keeps me focused and happy! I love to laugh, to see the goofiness is EVERYTHING and feel the joy in everyday situations. 

As the quote says, having a sense of humor is the "spring" of life. It will help you navigate the bumps, dips and potholes! AMEN!