Blunders & Absurdities.

For a guy whose middle name was Waldo, Emerson sure was a pretty astute guy when it came to how we humans are just so human. Anyway, keep this quote nearby...you and I will surely need to refer to it someday soon. Hope your day encounters more serenity than blunders!

"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense."

Blessed.

"Blessed is the influence of one true, loving human soul on another"...quote by George Eliot. Because poor little pitiful me, well sometimes I start thinking about how all these people in my life are supposed to love me and they're just not doing their job.

Seriously?

Child-Safety Experts Call For Restrictions On Childhood Imagination

WASHINGTON, DC—"By constantly reminding kids that they're human children with no magical skills, you ensure that they will live a prolonged life," child-safety expert Kenneth McMillan said.

So Right On.

The answer is sacrifice. You have to give something up in order to get results that excite you and inspire the artist within. You must give up perfection! Perfectionism only provokes fear and fear is what holds us back in pretty much every area of our lives.

So right on.

What Will You Do?

1. Love One Another
2. Choose Truth
3. Smile Like You Mean It
4. Keep Good Company
5. Focus Outward
6. Count Your Blessings
7. Lend a Hand
8. Stretch Your Creativity
9. Face Today Head-On
10. Stay Sweet
11. Worry Less
12. Age Gracefully (why fight it? fighting isn't graceful :)
13. Show Yourself Friendly
14. Keep a Quiet Heart
15. Stand By Your Man (that's right, and proud of it)
16. Keep On the Sunny Side (isn't there enough negativity?)
17. Stop To Smell the Roses
18. Forgive & Move Forward
19. Be Still & Wait (slow down!!!)
20. Honour Your Mother

Do More.

Do more than exist, LIVE,

Do more than touch, FEEL

Do more than look, OBSERVE

Do more than read, ABSORB

Do more than hear, LISTEN

Do more than listen, UNDERSTAND

Do more than think, PONDER

Do more than talk, SAY SOMETHING.

-QUOTE BY JOHN H. RHOADES

Why Teach?

Why be a teacher? By Rick DuFour

If you believe it is important to help children and young men and women acquire the knowledge, skills, and dispositions
essential to productive and satisfying lives, then consider being a teacher.

If you burst with passion for your subject and want to share that passion with others, then consider being a teacher.

If you are committed to your own lifelong learning, to an ongoing study of the art and science of your craft, then consider being a teacher.

If you appreciate a calling in which each year offers a fresh start, new beginnings, and the opportunity to impact lives in a positive way, then consider being a teacher.

If you truly enjoy kids, if you are able to see the best in each of them, if you are willing to persist when confronted by their recalcitrance or indifference, then consider being a teacher.

If you believe that an educated citizenry is critical to the well being of the nation, then consider being a teacher.

If you feel joy in seeing students learn to believe in themselves because you helped them achieve what they felt was beyond their grasp, then consider being a teacher.

If, like Henry Adams, you understand that, as a teacher, you can affect eternity because it is impossible to tell where your influence stops, then consider being a teacher.

If you recognize that giving of yourself to others and developing others can be one of the most significant and fulfilling ways
in which to live your life, then consider being a teacher.

Heavy {heart}.

My heart feels heavy today. My stomach is in knots, holding too much anxiety and fears that are continuously cycling through my head. Though I have been trying to let go of the stress, to rest this body that carries too many obligations and expectations and burdens...though each day I vow to myself to let go a little more, I still find myself physically and emotionally exhausted today.

I want to stop the worries that are running full strength through my head. I want to slow down and feel the tense muscles ease into a state of relaxation. I am tired of being haunted by my past, tired of too much time spent analyzing every small action, every thought, allowing every fear to multiply rather than disintegrate. I am worn down from the worries, the stress, that inner voice of criticism that has recently decided to speak up with words of "not enough". I am tired and aching and frustrated.

And there is an ever-present feeling of guilt that accompanies such emotions. Knowing that so many have worries and stresses far beyond the blessings of my own life. Knowing that I should be grateful, and I am grateful, and yet awareness of these blessings is not always enough.

Even this day, these emotions, these fears and anxieties...I am thankful for even these moments. It is all a part of the journey, the infinite path of "becoming". I know that these feelings are necessary for more personal growth to occur. I know that it is only through my own awareness and struggles...through my own pilgrimage.

And yet this knowledge does not negate the feelings themselves. Awareness does not lessen the heavy heart. It only makes it easier to bear in the moment.

"...everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise. The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt." -Sylvia Plath

Except Everything.

I do not know much. In fact, all of my knowledge could probably be packed away into one average sized box, light enough for just one average person of average strength to carry. And I would let them carry it away if needed. I would let them take from me every fact I knew for certain, every detail I knew as truth, every explanation I had ever formed. Because none of it is why I continue.

What I like in this life, in this world, in this universe is the unexplainable. I like the way everything moves in cycles. I like the way my eyes open each morning and close each night. I like the way death replaces life, which replaces death, and I like the way life replaces death, which replaces life. I like that I don’t know if we are each given one life, or many. I like that I understand life and death equally, which is barely at all. I like the idea of infinity, but I also like the idea that our time here is precious and not to be taken for granted.

I like that everything is connected and that we are still inherently alone. I like that we are never really alone. I like that in every moment we are thinking of someone and in every moment someone is thinking of us. I like that joy in sorrow are one in the same.

I like love. I like the love between lovers, and between friends, and between family. I like the way your laugh sounds intertwined with mine, which has nothing to do with love, except everything.

I like laughter. I like how every laugh of every person is unique and the way our laughter changes each time it bursts from our lips. I like the feeling right before it erupts, and the way it makes your stomach ache, and the sense of calm it brings immediately following. I like the foolishness and severity of love, which has nothing to do with laughter, except everything.

I like art, but I don’t know why. I can’t tell you why I am drawn to certain colors or shapes or images. I can’t tell you why certain songs make me sad or happy or set my soul ablaze with emotion. I can’t tell you why some lines of poetry make me cry, or why I hug certain novels when I close their final page. Someone probably could, but I’m sure I’d rather not hear it.

Go To {Color}

We all have one. The color we are drawn to. The color that makes us happy.
Ironically, mine is green. I say ironically because I always thought it was pink. I really like pink. I buy pink clothes. I use pink a lot when designing layouts. But you know what? I like pink better when it's paired with green. For that matter, with the exception of orange, I like all of the colors better when they are paired with green. Don't tell anyone, but green is the secret nuetral. Think about it. It goes with everything.

green and red,
green and pink,
green and yellow,
green and blue,
and the most delightful combination of all, green and purple.

Change.

Vincent Van Gogh : Many people seem to think it foolish, even superstitious, to believe that the world could still change for the better. And it is true that in winter it is sometimes so bitingly cold that one is tempted to say, 'What do I care if there is a summer; its warmth is no help to me now.' Yes, evil often seems to surpass good. But then, in spite of us, and without our permission, there comes at last an end to the bitter frosts. One morning the wind turns, and there is a thaw. And so I must still have hope.

Lessons.

There are a lot of lessons swirling around me these days, once again. Probably the same ones that are always there, trying to get my attention. Learn to let go, learn to live one day at a time and not project into the future, learn to trust that I can handle whatever I need to, learn to let go of the outcome. Always coming up, just in different forms, different situations.

I'm learning that worrying does nothing but waste my energy.
I'm learning that taking things one day at a time helps to keep them from overwhelming me. I've learned that I can tell myself I'm not going to worry, just for today, and it works.
I'm learning that the outcome is not up to me, but that I can believe the Universe is friendly and hope for the best.
I'm learning that I have a very powerful mind and if I can train it to think more creative and positive thoughts, that the fear and anxiety may have nowhere left to live!
I'm learning to keep things from funneling down a negative spiral all the time - especially since there is no reason not to believe things will be alright.
I'm learning to believe in possibility.
I am learning that learning to let go is the most important gift I can give myself.

I feel like this is my chance, right now. This is my chance to let the lesson sink in, that its ok to let go, that its safe to let go, that if I can let go everything will still be ok.

How do you let go? what works for you?

{Stuff}

Oh Seriously..
I have a goal. I am totally a goal kind of girl. I like to visualize myself doing what it is I want to do. that helps me accomplish stuff.

so positive.so peaceful.so focused on family.so focused on the good in life.I belive it's there.We just have to find it.

The Way We Live.

Simple as that...

my love
my heart
my family
my life

Brought to you in digestible bites. To be enjoyed with a martini.

Capture.

Random Thoughts.

Really wanting to play right now and create something. I have that craving to create, but it's late and I am tired. It's weird how much I want to just get messy and design new stuff. I have so much fun when I am playing. I love how I get to express myself in my own way. It doesn't matter if other people like it...I am just sharing a piece of me. It's a time when I get to be the real me. I am so thankful I have this outlet.

It's been kind of an emotional day...good and not so good. Lots of laughter and then some tears. Days like this throw me for a loop...but they are ok to have. Changes happen and life doesn't stay the same. That's good...because then I wouldn't appreciate what I have now and what I had in the past. All of those moments and memories from the past have made me who I am today. For that I am thankful. I know how to be alone and be fine with it. Then on the flip side I know how much more it means to me when I am surrounded with friends and family. I don't know if any of this makes sense, but to me it does and it feels good to write it out.

When major things happen, I start thinking and over-thinking life and what is happening. I know things happen for a reason. My heart just hurts and it makes me sad. Why can't the people we love stay with us? I wish there was a magic wand I could wave to make everyone's hearts happy again. I also don't like to see my friends making poor choices and not taking care of themselves. I love my friends and only want the best for them. I need them in my life. Even though I don't tell them enough, I appreciate them so much!

So...DO SOMETHING EVERYDAY THAT MAKES YOU HAPPY! It can only make us be more thankful for what we have and who we are right now. How cool is that?

{FUN} Thinking.

A= Available? umm...yeah!
B= Best Friend? I like the word {FRIENDS} better...Brookie, Cat, Jen, Tracey, Kim, Cali, Suzanne
C= Cake or pie? Cake! Cocolate with lots of icing!
D= Drink of choice - Diet Coke all the way!
E= Essential item you use everyday - my ibook G4 and lipgloss
F= Favorite color: Shades Pink
G= Girlie girl: Oh yeah!
H= Hometown -George, IA
I= Indulgences - new toys (aka...scrapping supplies), getting my hair done (definitely not a nessecity, but it's fun), love purses, clothes, and jewelry, too.
J= January or February - February...love celebrating my sister's birthday!
K= Kids and Names - no kids, but I definitely want them someday
L= Life is incomplete without...my family, friends, and fun. (and of course creating, too)
M= Marriage date - I'll let you know someday...maybe.
N= Number of siblings- Four...Kritter, Calpea, Lace, Fred, not sure about Cal and Fred since Kris practically rasied them!
O= Oranges or apples - Apples, I love going to the orchard and picking my own....oh the memories with my kiddos
P= Phobias or Fears - snakes, failure, and disappointing people and um......commitment
Q= Favorite Quote - "You know that place between sleep and awake, the place you still remember dreaming? That's where I'll always love you Peter Pan, that's where i'll be waiting." - Tinker Bell
R= Reason to smile - when I look at all of the photos I have taken and remember all of the fun times I've had. so blessed!
S= Season - I don't really have a favorite, but I am not liking the cold we are having right now. I do like when the flowers are in bloom, though! And I like when the leaves change, too. Guess I can't make up my mind!
T= Trust- Only a handful....
U= Unknown fact about me: I cut up all of my food before I start eating. I know...I'm weird.
V= Vegetable you don't like - let's just say there are only a few I do like
W= Worst habit - Not making my own choices and then blaming others for the choice I ultimately had the choice to make
X= X-rays - lots, infact I have a whole body x-ray...pretty tight. Thanks hot radioligist!
Y= Your favorite food - pasta with marinara and warm bread
Z= Zodiac Sign - Sagitarious

Let Go.

My Creative Manifesto:
.play
.create
.pause
.live
.imagine
.try
.admire
.enjoy
.give
.let go
.celebrate
.believe

Success.

Behind every successful woman lies a tale of self-reliance, persistence, and the joy of following one's heart.
"The key to happiness is having dreams and the key to success is making them come true."

Antione de St-Expurery-"Reminding one another of the dream that each of us aspires to may be enough for us to set each other free." Let us keep reminding each other of our dreams, and that it is possible to live them!

Percolating.

This was on the front page of the Living Section of The Oregonian newspaper today. According to the article there are 3,400 churches in the US and Canada who are celebrating the hymn tomorrow "in an effort to mark the 200th anniversary of the British abolition of slavery."

I love when newspapers showcase cool type designs. I think this may become inspiration for a new album about spirit. Percolating...

My {life}

It's your life (story). It's worth documenting. It's worth sharing.

Moving On.

Henry Miller : Life moves on, whether we act as cowards or heroes. Life has no other discipline to impose, if we would but realize it, than to accept life unquestioningly. Everything we shut our eyes to, everything we run away from, everything we deny, denigrate or despise, serves to defeat us in the end. What seems nasty, painful, evil, can become a source of beauty, joy and strength, if faced with an open mind. Every moment is a golden one for him(/her) who has the vision to recognize it as such.

{Unique}

Pablo Casals : Each second we live is a new and unique moment of the universe, a moment that will never be again And what do we teach our children? We teach them that two and two make four, and that Paris is the capital of France. When will we also teach them what they are? We should say to each of them: Do you know what you are? You are a marvel. You are unique. In all the years that have passed, there has never been another child like you. Your legs, your arms, your clever fingers, the way you move. You may become a Shakespeare, a Michaelangelo, a Beethoven. You have the capacity for anything. Yes, you are a marvel. And when you grow up, can you then harm another who is, like you, a marvel? You must work, we must all work, to make the world worthy of its children.

Just Gotta Love Him.

Music Video:WEB DONT FALL (by John Legend)

Music Video Code provided by Video Code Zone

Snow Day Fun.

Happy {heart} Day.

Wishing you and yours much love, appreciation, gratitude, and passion today.

Mother Teresa : It is easy to love the people far away. It is not always easy to love those close to us. It is easier to give a cup of rice to relieve hunger than to relieve the loneliness and pain of someone unloved in our own home. Bring love into your home for this is where our love for each other must start.

Fix U.

When you try your best, but you don't succeed
When you get what you want but not what you need
When you feel so tired but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse

And the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something you can't replace
When you love someone but it goes to waste
Could it be worse?

Lights will guide you home,
And ignite your bones,
And I will try to fix you,

High up above or down below
When you're too in love to let it go
But if you never try you'll never know
Just what you're worth

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

Tears stream down your face
When you lose something you cannot replace
Tears stream down on your face
And I

Tears stream down your face
I promise you I will learn from my mistakes
Tears stream down on your face
And I

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you.

{Believe}

Jaye Miller : Believing in yourself is not just for you; it's for every person who has touched your life in a significant way and for every person your life will touch the same way five minutes from now, or five centuries from now.

I am. You are. We are.

Hearts & All.

Purple Rain.

I never meant 2 cause u any sorrow
I never meant 2 cause u any pain
I only wanted 2 one time see u laughing
I only wanted 2 see u laughing in the purple rain

Purple rain purple rain
Purple rain purple rain
Purple rain purple rain

I only wanted 2 see u bathing in the purple rain

I never wanted 2 be your weekend lover
I only wanted 2 be some kind of friend
Baby I could never steal u from another
Its such a shame our friendship had 2 end

Purple rain purple rain
Purple rain purple rain
Purple rain purple rain

I only wanted 2 see u underneath the purple rain

Honey I know, I know, I know times are changing
Its time we all reach out 4 something new
That means u 2
U say u want a leader
But u cant seem 2 make up your mind
I think u better close it
And let me guide u 2 the purple rain

Purple rain purple rain
Purple rain purple rain

If you know what Im singing about up here
Cmon raise your hand

Purple rain purple rain

I only want 2 see u, only want 2 see u
In the purple rain

be you.

Love Taking Pics.

Everything.

Perfectly Imperfect, my philosophy.

Learn.Laugh.Create.

Creative Manifesto.

1. It is ok.
2. Embrace imperfection.
3. Go with the flow.
4. Find your voice.
5. Tell your story.
6. Don't make it more complicated than it needs to be.
7. Play.
8. {Enjoy}

{Life} Artist.

A life artist is simply someone who captures and celebrates life - through photos, words, etc - and then creates something with those pieces of life that they captured.
Simply put; working your ass off may have additional benefits other than making your bank account fat. Even hard work that is not your choice is beneficial, especially when done with a flare -- hard work can be artistic.but sunny and beautiful. I understand life as art.

Happy Birthday Kritter.

Happy Birthday 2 U! Happy Birthday 2 U!
Happy Birthday dear Kritter, Happy Birthday 2 U!

Love,
{ME}

{NYC}

{One} Little Word.

So what word will you choose this year?Go Accomplish Peace Risk Joy Believe Connect Light Embrace Yes Being Be Simplify Acceptance Savor Dream Resolve Reinvent Change Organize Grateful Simplicity Balance Hope Obey Grace Commit Attitude Less Play Trust Create Health Calm Heal Relax Do Happiness Art Move Truth Fear Patience Harmony Accomplish Management Enrichment Grow Celebrate Bliss Perspective Life Free Prosperity Enjoy Time Respect Content Humanitarian Contentment Faith Learn Share Strength Freedom Action Believe Love Begin Reinvent Happy Wife Well-Being Evoke RockStar Accept Thanks Focus Care Shed Live Together Enrich Open Stop Possibilities Roots Explore Mindful Fresh Satisfaction Now Renaissance Flow Try Trust Breathe Restore Appreciate Compromise Serenity Fly Hush Forgive Finish Authentic Diligence His Beauty Adventure Invincible Healing Reward Sacrifice NotToBeAfraidAnymore DailyCarpeDiem Imagine Venture Wonderful Place Capture Life is a Beautiful Place to Be Observe Stewardship Jump Journey Achieve Elements Fancy Daily Full Fruition Cherish Learn Generosity Proud Godwinks Smile Harmony Vivacious Imperturbable Important Balanced S T O P Seek {ENJOY}

2 Months.

We come to love not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly.
- Sam Keen

Never Perfect.

Inspire. Learn. Make a Difference!
Life is the art of drawing without an eraser.
- John W. Gardner

Big A, Litttle a.

I'm all about the letter {Aa}...for real! I love the vintage ones the best!
The Letter Aa
A is a great starter. Hardly a paragraph goes by, that an A isn't first in line. Without an A, we'd all become cavepersons. Instead of "Give me a kiss", we'd say "Give me kiss."

A is a vowel, which means it makes all the consonants work. If you want to swear, you don't say dmn you! You don't mke things; or sw logs; or eat bnns; or go wy.

{Words}

be.embrace.invite.create.connect.go.question.do.tell.collect.give.believe.enjoy.

STILL ME.

STILL ME
Back on October 13, 1992 I was fighting for my life after becoming paralyzed from a car accident, I never would have thought that thirteen years later I would be a successful teacher who believes in herself and makes a difference in the lives that she meets everyday!

My situation has led me to discover things about myself that I would not have before. I am proud not only of what my disability has taught me, but also of where it has taken me and whom I have met along the way. So much in my life is because of this injury. No, life isn't perfect, but it wasn't perfect before I was in the wheelchair either! Over time I have come to realize... It wasn't me who changed... It was my perspective! Being in the wheelchair has reminded me to appreciate the little things in life such as being able to get out of bed each morning and enjoy the fresh air. I have begun to realize, it is not what I do in life that matters. It is who I am inside that truly defines the real me.

Having said all of this, I didn't get here overnight. It took me a bunch of years to come to grips with the gravity of it all. It took a great support system of family and friends, a belief in myself, an ungodly number of margaritas and a deeply engrained sense of humor. All that I have going for me defuses the all-consuming desire to lash out, to find and affix blame. You don't need to walk to fall in love, to get married, have kids, get a degree, go to work or be a successful leader. Whatever you want to do, you don't need to walk to write, paint, take in a ballgame, go hunting, scuba diving, whatever.

Napoleon said, "struggle is a decided advantage, for it awakens within you attributes which would otherwise forever lie dormant."

Walking is over-rated

Tidbits.

Tidbits about me

Movies are my escape.

I’m scared of heights.

Friends are important.

My hobby is my obsession.

I love being a teacher.

I’m a sucker for romance.

Brave.

To be brave is to love someone unconditionally, without expecting anything in return.
To just give.
That takes courage, because we don't want to fall on our faces or leave ourselves open to hurt.

25 Things.

1. If you could build a house anywhere, where would it be? Up in the mountains. Surrounded by hundreds of acres of untouched land, an awesome view & a lake in the front that reflected the house & scenery. That’d be perfection.

2. What's your favorite article of clothing? Guess Jeans...they hug u right!

3. Favorite physical feature of the opposite sex? Eyes & smile.

4. What's the last CD that you bought? CD, for reals.....the last song I purchased on itunes was "Slow" by Sammie

5. Where's your favorite place to be? At home with friends.

6. Where is your least favorite place to be? Shopping with my mom & sisters, lol. (You never heard me say that, wink.) They spend hours though! It can be dreadful.

7. What's your favorite place to be massaged? My neck...yummy!

8. Strong in mind or strong in body? Strong Mind.

9. What time do you wake up in the morning? Depends on how late I stayed up the night before. It’s never the same. I am a total night person, which messes with my system.

10. What is your favorite kitchen appliance? Really...I'd have to say Catrina.

11. What makes you really angry? An adult hurting a child; emotionally or physically. That really pisses me off.

12. If you could play any instrument, what would it be? The piano.

13. Favorite color? I really like shades of pink right now, but green has been my longtime favorite.

14. Which do you prefer...sports car or SUV? Sports Car

15. Do you believe in an afterlife? Very much so.

16. Favorite children's book? Giraffes Can't Dance

17. What is your favorite season? Spring

18. What is your least favorite household chore? Cleaning the toilet or shower. Ugh.

19. If you could have one super power, what would it be? To be UN-humanly fast just by snapping my fingers so I'd get twice as much done twice as fast. That’d rock my world!

20. If you have a tattoo, what is it? No tattoo here.

21. Can you juggle? Ha! Yeah right. That would take coordination.

22. The one person from your past that you wish you could go back and talk to? My Grandpa Earl. I miss him alot.

23. What's your favorite day? Saturday.

24. What's in the trunk of your car? Teaching Books....shoes and a jacket. I really need to clean that out!

25. Which do you prefer, sushi or hamburger? Hamburger. Although I love, love, love California Rolls! (Don’t know if die-hard sushi eaters would consider that "sushi" though?

THE END.

{Life}

Life is good right now. Just busy. Good busy.