Love Yourself

It's been some time. How are you? And what about me? Well, my boys keep me busy. I've been trying to stay sane and still accomplish some writing.

Tonight, a very good friend called me about her personal problem. At some point, her personal problem highlighted a major personal issue - one that I've dealt with in the not too recent past - loving one's self. Really, what's at the heart of the issue is that I didn't feel as if I deserved to be loved and no matter how much love was shown to me, I couldn't see it because I believed I didn't deserve it.

My heart breaks for my dear beautiful friend. I will try to support her as best as I can. At the same time, I wanted to remind you to love yourself. You are worthy of love in every single way.

Please be gentle with yourself and take care.  

Papaya Salad

Friday's Quote: Maya Angelou

Image credit: www.sevenquotes.com

My boys have kept me busy, so I haven't had much time to blog. 

Yet, they aren't the only reasons. I've been changing the course I've been on in my life. I've been wanting to take a different path in my life for the longest time and I finally took the steps toward a new path in March of this year. Of course, I had to get the blessings from my Mr. Man (not because he's my husband, but because we are a team). 

Going down this new path, there are days that are good, some are bad, and some are quite ugly. Once in a long while, I must tell myself how lucky I am to be able to pursue this path. Then there are days where I know I'm super blessed and am in love with my life. Of course, there are a few days where I feel lost and unsure, but rather than turn back to what I once knew (the thought makes me want to cry), I continue on. I really want to get to my destination sooner rather than later, but I am reminded today that any great achievement requires time. So, I will try to enjoy the process and the journey to my semi-final destination. I will also be kind to myself, but I will continue to work harder to get to where I want to be.

How are you? Are you working on anything that requires (lots of) time?

Field of Gold

Sledding on Overnight Snowfall

Many have been thinking that spring was finally here in the Northern Midwest (much of the snow has melted and the temperatures have been in the mid-40s), but Old Man Winter (and Mother Nature) thought that a reminder was necessary. So last night we received about an inch's worth of snow. Not too much, but enough to require plowing and enough to move a sled over.

Since having two little boys, I've really loved the time right after a snowfall, where the streets are plowed and there's still enough snow on the roads and driveway to pull my boys in a sled.

Last spring, my friend was throwing away a perfectly fine sled, so I thought to keep it. At the time, I thought it would be good to have in case if I wanted to take my son(s) sledding on a hill. I didn't think I was going to use it this much this winter, and I'm so glad that I kept it.

The best way for me to use this sled is to pull my boys on unplowed streets. I think they enjoy it most of the time and it gives me a little exercise. It's also really making me take my boys outside and try to "enjoy" the winter season.

How do you enjoy the winter season in your neck of the woods?

Horseshoe Bend, AZ

Books of 2017

This past year, I read a lot. More than I have ever in a year. I don't know I did it, but I did. I also came across "cozy" mysteries. My sister wanted to know why I continued to read some of the cozy series, and I think it's because I get sucked into the world that the author has created; I keep wanting to find out what's going to happen to the character. Regardless, for some reason, these books have become my favorite books to read while relaxing. So, the following are the books I read in 2017:

1.  The Madwoman Upstairs--Catherine Lowell
2.  The Secret Ingredient of Wishes--Susan Bishop Crispell
3. The Bookshop on the Corner--Jenny Colgan
4. The Glass Magician--Charlie N. Holmberg
5. The Master Magician--Charlie N. Holmberg
6. The Witch's Market--Mingmei Yip
7. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children--Ransom Riggs
8. Death of the Black-Haired Girl--Robert Stone
9. The Martian--Andy Wier
10. Labor Day--Joyce Maynard
11. The Bonesetter's Daughter--Amy Tan
12. The Talented Ribkins--Ladee Hubbard
13. Secondhand Spirits--Juliet Blackwell
14. A Cast-Off Coven--Juliet Blackwell
15. Hexes and Hemlines--Juliet Blackwell
16. In a Witch's Wardrobe--Juliet Blackwell
17. Tarnished and Torn--Juliet Blackwell
18. A Vision in Velvet--Juliet Blackwell
19. A Haunting is Brewing--Juliet Blackwell
20. Spellcasting in Silk--Juliet Blackwell
21. A Toxic Trousseau--Juliet Blackwell
22. If Walls Could Talk--Juliet Blackwell
23. Dead Bolt--Juliet Blackwell
24. Murder on the House--Juliet Blackwell
25. Home for the Haunting--Juliet Blackwell
26. Keeper of the Castle--Juliet Blackwell
27. Give up the Ghost--Juliet Blackwell
28. Witch Way to Murder--Shirley Damsgaard
29. The Trouble with Witches--Shirley Damsgaard
30. Charmed to Death--Shirley Damsgaard
31. Witch Hunt--Shirley Damsgaard
32. The Witch's Grave--Shirley Damsgaard
33. The Witch is Dead--Shirley Damsgaard
34. The Seventh Son--Shirley Damsgaard

Let me know what you've read this past year. If you've read or happen to read any of these books, let me know of your opinion. Happy reading!

Cobblestoned Path

[Taken October 15, 2017 in Washington D.C.]

Happy New Year's Eve

Have a great New Year's Eve.

I can't believe how fast 2017 came and went. I remember the beginning of the year going by so quick because I was looking forward to giving birth and not being pregnant any more. When my little boy entered into our lives, a quarter of the year already passed. The next thing I knew, my two little boys were taking up all of my time and I only wanted to sleep. I returned to work and then it was the holidays. Suddenly, today is New Year's Eve.  Family-wise, I've had a great year.

In my professional life, I've had a sad, heartbreaking, but eye-opening experience. I had to go deep into myself and ask what it was that I wanted to do with my life. Some truths came to the surface, and I realized that it was time to move on from my organization and my profession. I had to accept the reality that I wasn't going to go any further with my organization and I had to be okay with it. Once, I accepted it, I then started dreaming about what my life could look like, and what exactly I wanted to do with it. 2018 is a time for me to create and bring my dreams into reality.

So how are you? What happened to you in 2017?

Hello, Stranger!

Dear Friend,

I'm sorry that I haven't kept up with my posting.  I've been meaning to.  I noticed that I didn't post a single entry in  October (even though I wanted to), and I am reminded that if I didn't post today (the last day of November), then I wouldn't have posted at all in November.

I didn't mean to ignore you.  I've been busy, and it's not an excuse.  I've just been really busy.  With two babies under the age of two, a full-time job, and many transitions because "life happens," I've had to prioritize.  So, blogging has been put down at the very bottom of the list.

I do want to say that I've thought about this blog a lot.  I've been wanting to share so many stories about my children/parenthood and tell you about the adventures that I've been on.  Yet, finding time to write has been hard, especially when my oldest knows that an open computer means that he can get onto YouTube.  (My oldest also loves taking off the spacebar on the keyboard.)  So, I will try to make some more time to write and post.  Although, I will say that I've been able to post semi-daily pictures in my other media accounts, so I don't feel too bad.  Yet, I do want to post more here.

My children are not only teaching me the principles of patience, but also to be present and to enjoy every moment of every day.  They remind me how much time is passing me by and that I need to just appreciate the time I have.  And I hope you are appreciating your life and I hope you are doing well.  I hope you are enjoying life, laughing, and loving.

Take care,

My Favorite Things