Unplug

     "God has no blackberry, but is my favorite contact. 

He does not have Facebook, but is my best friend.

He does not have twitter, but I still follow Him. 

And even without internet, I am always in contact with Him!"

I saw this tonight and wanted to share; I thought it was clever. I love that the writer used terms from social networking, and funny that I read it on Facebook.

Thankful Thursday

Of the many blessings I have, I am thankful for:

• Important people in my life being truly happy
• Clouds rolling in on a (much too) hot summer afternoon
• Popsicles
• Fluffy pillows
• Cute flip flops
• Sunglasses
• Waking up five min before my alarm going off, from a dream about being late to work, to find that my alarm was not set
• The beautiful birthday cards I got from my & Rusty's family this month
• My new boss who I am more and more thankful for everyday after enduring the worse boss I've ever had for the last two years
• Not having a headache today

A Penny Saved is A Penny Earned

I'm trying to get back on track with my grocery shopping. This summer has been a combination of busy days and lazy days since I got back from vacation last month. Not only have I gone shopping without coupons but I have, dare I say, gone without a shopping list and bought on the fly *gasp*!

Last week I did get on the ball and match up local sales with my coupons. I saved about 30% on the trip, not my best, but hey, that's 30% I kept in my pocket. I did manage to get all eleven boxes of these cereal for only $7.26. I could have spent even less on them but I hate buying the sugary cereals, and sadly we all know, the healthier the food, the more expensive it is. I did get a few boxes of the sweet stuff though, it does make a good snack or dessert if you have a sweet tooth and don't have the time (or motivation) to bake something delicious.

Thoughts on 31

I read my last year's blog about turning 30. It doesn't feel like it's been a year.  I fully believe that time seems to go by faster as you get older.  Probably the worst part is that my kids are seemingly growing up faster and faster because of it.

It's easy to get caught up in the'hustle and bustle' of everyday life. I feel that routines make the week go by in the blink of an eye, almost like we are on auto pilot.  I make it a point to enjoy, I mean really enjoy, the little things along with the big. Take in a beautiful sunset. Listen to a rain storm. Conversing around the dinning room table. Feel the summer breeze. Listen to my kids laugh and play together or to the stories they have to tell.  Sing together in the car. Walks on warm summer nights. Going out for ice cream. Playing board games. Time invested in yourself and your family is time well spent. Life is too short to spend it on auto pilot.

Life gets better as I get older. I have many things to be grateful for.  I've learned to let things go when It's out of my control. I've learned to forgive people for their ignorance, and I am trying to avoid being judgmental of anyone. Forgiveness is freeing. It's a burden I don't have to carry on my shoulders and I think the world would be a better place if everyone could realize this. There are so many things we have control over everyday. We have the ability to wake up every morning, refreshed, ready to take on the world and make it a fabulous day.

- Mahatma Gandhi

Cheers! Here's to another great year. Thanks for sharing it with me.

Thankful Thursday

Of the many blessings I have; I am thankful for:

• Hangers
• Waking up to music as my alarm clock rather than that dreaded 'beeping'
• The baby birds in the backyard and their constant chirping
• Cooking dinner with fresh herbs from my garden
• Getting a couple extra hours of sleep last night
• Cinnamon raisin bread
• Modern technology (talking to my kids everyday while they are at their Dad's and sending pictures back and forth also video calls with my Dad in China & Rusty's family in Iowa)
• Being able to count my blessings, focus on the positive and not let the little things get me down or ruin my day
• The yellow roses blooming in my yard, they are gorgeous and huge!
• My new boss at work

"Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn, or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude."  -Denis Waitley

I am happy.

Friday Night

Double Date. Jerrick, Sierra, Rusty & myself.

Dinner at Sweet Tomatoes

Beautiful, clear, summer night.

Scrabble out on the patio. Fire in the fire pit. Wonderful.