Friendship

Wow, it has been over a week since my last post! I am really slipping! It has been a good week though, pretty nice weather, lots of gardening being done, my oldest daughter's 6th Birthday and my dear cousin's Graduation from Culinary School! Lots of lovely accomplishments all around!

I have also been pondering lots of thoughts this week. One of which is, have I been a good enough friend to those I love? I am not very good at keeping in touch with people, never have been. Not much of a phone talker. But I do think of those I love often and need to find better ways of including them in my life. Perhaps sending cards now and again would be a good start. Or at least emailing somewhat regularly with pictures and stories. I realize that most of my friends know little about my daily life and the things that have been building on my mind as of late. Unfortunately, most of my closest friends live pretty far away...New Jersey, California, and Ecuador. I have found lately that I am really missing them. Missing those long heart-to-heart talks and familiar stories and memories. I have found myself stuck in something of a rut lately. Not truly at peace with my life, struggling with the ups and downs of being a SAHM. I have also come to realize how very difficult it is to find those true one-of-kind friends who know you inside and out and never judge or question your intent but instead are happy to listen to your worries and concerns and give you unconditional support. I know that I tend to complain a lot in my daily life….more of an act of venting than any true disdain for a person, event or circumstance. I have found that I am a better listener and supporter than a person who can relay her own thoughts and feelings well. I am better at the written word than the oral one. It does take more time to write though than speak. Maybe this is why I am so bad at keeping in touch.

I realize that there are many things I need to continue to work on in order to find true peace in my life. There are so many skeletons in my closet that I need to work through and I know I need to start somewhere. I think I will start with reminding those I love how much I miss them and appreciate them….and even though we are far apart in distance they are never far from my thoughts and I am beyond grateful that they are a part of my life!

Happy Mother's Day!

A Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there! I am wishing you all a relaxing, fun-filled day full of love and happiness. I am wishing all the mom's out there who have experienced loss or are struggling to fulfill their dreams of becoming mom's a peaceful day. You are all in my thoughts!

Some Thoughts to Ponder

I do not rejoice when people die, enemies are conquered, or "justice"is served. I tend to feel conflicted inside. I do not believe that murder is the answer for anything. I do not believe that death is a justified punishment. I do not believe that anyone has the right to decide the fate of others. I will never feel comfort or solace in the wake of violence.

I am saddened when people die needlessly and conflicted when people rejoice the death of known enemies. I will never judge the emotions of individuals directly affected by violence and terror but do not believe that more violence can ever bring about a sense of peace. Does violence not beget violence. Shouldn't we show compassion and acceptance to move past the climate of violence.

I feel frightened and saddened when scores of people are cheering and chanting in the streets. It seems at these times that our world has taken a terrible step backwards. I, instead, worry what our "victory" says about the American spirit and how it will continue to affect the lives of innocent people. Should I now be more worried about retaliation and American hatred? If we instead showed signs of love and peace would we still have to live in fear of hatred and violence?

As I continue on my path to spiritual enlightenment I am continuously reminded that my values and beliefs are those of a small minority. But I will continue to believe in the worth of individuals, the value of sharing my time and spirit with those around me, and compassion and acceptance for those who are "different". If we took the time to listen, understand and acknowledge would our hatred and rage then be replaced with feelings of acceptance and peace? I do not know, but I do believe it is worth a try…...

8moms: The best deals from the best places

8moms: The best deals from the best places

A new daily deal site I just stumbled upon. Check it out!

Save The Children

Today on Eversave if you make a donation to Save The Children in honor of Mother's Day Eversave will match your contribution. Buy a $10.00 donation for only $5.00!


If you're interested in today's Save, simply click "Buy Now." After purchasing a Save voucher, click on the "My Saves" tab in Eversave where you'll find a unique code printed on the voucher. Use this when you go to allocate your donation at SaveTheChildren.org.

Eversave will match your donation up to $25,000.00!

Check my link below for more information!

Think Positive Pin

My Think Positive Pin arrived in the mail yesterday! I am very excited to have it and just need to decide where to put it. I would like to have it with me at all times so that when I become muddled it might remind me to relax and apply an optimistic attitude! Perhaps I will pin it to my purse….any other ideas?

Versatile Blogger Award

Thank you to Rory over at Time Out For Mom for nominating me for the Versatile Blogger Award. Be sure to check out Time Out For Mom…it is a wonderful blog full of funny, inspiring stories!

The rules for my accepting this award are as follows:

~Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them in your post

~Tell you seven things about yourself

~Award 15 Bloggers of my choice

Ok…so for seven things about myself:

1. I was once a Vegetarian. I feel very strongly that Factory Farming is unethical and unhealthy. I wanted to take a stand against this practice and also be more careful about the things I put into my body. Although I am no longer a Vegetarian (found it to be very difficult for me) I still do not eat Veal. 

2. I won the Easter Seals Spell-a-Thon to raise money for the Easter Seals when I was in Grade School and as a result earned a spot on the Telethon with 2 of my schoolmates. I correctly spelled 100 words!

3. I am afraid to fly! I had a scary flight on the way to my Honeymoon in Jamaica and have never been the same since! I used to love flying but now am reduced to fits of panic when I even think about airplanes and being on them!

4. This is a huge confession for me….OK….here it is…..can't believe I am putting it in writing….I regretted buying my wedding dress. I got caught up in the moment of it all and allowed myself to believe it was the right dress but in actuality it really wasn't. I should have waited and tried on more…I was never in love with my dress. I dream of renewing my vows someday in a dress I really love!

5. I love cheese fries! Probably my favorite food of all time. One of my favorite meals is a slice of pizza and an order of cheese fries! Terrible I know but so so so good!

6. I love live Theater. I love the music and dancing and acting…..I like to imagine myself with that much talent, being in front of an audience. I also like to imagine the real lives of the people performing. Theater is brilliant and engages every part of me!

7. If I could have one talent…I wish I could sing. I would love to have a beautiful voice and be able to sing the songs I love. I find music so inspiring and freeing. My favorite therapy is my car, with the windows down and the music loud!

So for my 15 nominees:

Mom's Tree House

EC Writes

Crazy Simple Life

Writing Out Loud

Becoming Brea

A Muddled Mother

Memoirs of Me and Mine

Single Mom Inspirations

Less Than Perfect Parents

A. Lovely

Adventures in Motherhood

Becoming Supermommy

Chronicles of A Crazy Mom

Explore Dream Discover
It's Momplicated

Poison Ivy is Wicked!

Ahh…..the joys of Spring! What is it that they say? Leaves of 3, let it be….Apparently I did not "let it be"! So a little over a week ago I contracted a pretty significant case of Poison Ivy. YUCK! I have had it before but never this extreme. It has pretty much consumed my life because it has been incredibly difficult to get my mind off the big, bubbly bumps and tremendous itching!

I never saw it coming. Apparently the leaves aren't even out yet. I must have been contaminated while pulling out the roots doing some yard cleanup. The thanks I get for my hard work! Mother Nature can be so cruel!

Let's see over the course of the last week and a half I have used the following items to treat it; alcohol, witch hazel, white vinegar, hot water, baking soda, Poison Ivy cream, wash and spray….UGH! I finally was able to get to my Doctor today to get the good stuff….the steroid cream that should make it all finally go away! I do have to say that I appear to be on the mend but I still look like I am suffering from some crazy, rare skin disease. Thank goodness it is only my arms that were affected and not my whole body!

I haven't blogged much this week because I haven't been able to get my mind off of the Poison Ivy. It has been difficult to think of anything that doesn't relate to finding relief for the itching! Now, that it is under control I will try to get back to regular life and post something relevant and interesting!

Happy Gardening and Beware the Poison Ivy!

Check out Eversave Today!

I am always looking for ways to remind myself of the importance of Positive Thinking. Sometimes we just need a little tangible reminder of how we should act towards ourselves and others.

Today on Eversave you can buy a voucher for a Positive Pin. The Pin is worth $7 but you pay just $3 plus a Dollar for shipping. It is an awesome opportunity to help keep your positive energy in check and would make a great gift for someone who might need a little boost of positive thinking. I think this would be great for anyone suffering from illness or loss.

I just bought this for myself! I think you should check it out!

Just a little Thank You!

Just wanted to take a moment to say "Thank You" to all my followers and for all the wonderful comments I have received. Blogging has become a way for me to stay connected to myself and also to fulfill a need to do something meaningful outside of rearing my children. It has been a long time since I have worked outside of my home and I do not always have the chance to engage in intellectual conversation with other adults so I enjoy once again using my brain while doing something worthwhile.

It is just frosting on the cake that people actually read what I write and engage in meaningful conversation with me!

You All Rock!