Rut

Do you ever feel like you're stuck in a rut?

All my life, I've played it safe.

I've followed the rules.

I've fallen in line.

I've "watched" my money.

Some of my students have lived their lives more than I have mine.

Safe can become boring.

New can be scary, but it also makes for great memories.

Life is full of lessons and adventures.

One of my favorite quotes by Ben Stein...

"Jump into the middle of things, get your hands dirty, fall flat on your face and then reach for the stars."

Tough Decisions

My life has been so up in the air over the last several months.

For the first time in my life, I haven't been able to confidently make decisions.

I am constantly second-guessing myself....my wants, my needs, and my future.

I am tired of sitting on the fence about my life.

My indecisiveness has only hurt people I care about.

I'm at decision circle again, Lord.
As I begin to decide, I need You. I need your guidance.
I lay before You all I know about myself, and
all I know about my situation.
Send me in the right direction.
Thank you Jesus. Amen.

A Woman Should....

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE

...one old love

she can imagine

going back to...

and one who reminds

her how far she has come...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE

...enough money within her

control to move out and

rent a place of her own

even if she never wants

to or needs to...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE

.. something perfect to wear if

the employer or date of her dreams

wants to see her in an hour...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE

.. a youth she's content

to leave behind...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE

...a past juicy enough that

she's looking forward to

retelling it in her old age....

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE

...a set of screwdrivers, a

cordless drill, and a black

lace bra...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE

..one friend who always makes

her laugh ... and one who lets

her cry...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE

...a good piece of furniture

not previously owned by anyone

else in her family...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE

...eight matching plates, wine

glasses with stems, and a recipe

for a meal that will make her

guests feel honored.

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE

...a feeling of control over

her destiny...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

....how to fall in love without

losing herself...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

..how to quit a job,

break up with a lover,

and confront a friend

without ruining the friendship...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

...when to try harder ... and

when to walk away...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

....that she can't change the

length of her calves, the width

of her hips, or the nature of her

parents...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

...that her childhood may not

have been perfect...but its

over...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

...what she would and wouldn't

do for love or more...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

..how to live alone... even if

she doesn't like it...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

...whom she can trust,

whom she can't,

and why she shouldn't

take it personally...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

...where to go...

be it to her best friend's kitchen
table...

or a charming inn in the woods...

when her soul needs soothing...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

.. what she can and can't

accomplish in a day...

a month...and a year...

http://holliesquotes.com/life/awomanshould.htm

Misc Love

if you want to know where your
heart is, look where your mind
goes when it wanders...

I want a brave love, one that makes me weak in the knees. I want a crazy, crazy love. One that makes me come undone at the seams. -Jewel

The truth is, we only hide because we want to be found, we only walk away because we want to see who will follow, we only break our hearts to see what they really mean to us.

Read more here....

http://holliesquotes.com/lovemisc/page21.htm

Her...

I'm not sure where this is from. I liked it and borrowed it from my best friend's facebook wall. Enjoy....

"She’s not perfect. You aren’t either, and the two of you will never be perfect. But if she can make you laugh at least once, causes you to think twice, and admits to being human and making mistakes, hold on to her and give her the most you can. She isn’t going to quote poetry, she’s not thinking about you every moment, but she will give you a part of her that she knows you could break. Don’t hurt her, don’t change her, don’t expect more than she can give. Don’t analyze. Smile when she makes you happy, yell when she makes you mad, and miss her when she’s not there. Love hard when there is love to be had."

Sandra Bullock & Jesse James

I cannot believe Jesse James would cheat on Sandra Bullock.

What a year for cheaters! Wow!

I can only imagine how embarrassed, disgusted, disappointed, and angry she must be right now.

And after she gave that beautiful speech at the Oscars thanking her wonderful husband....

I am in shock!

Why is it that bad things happen to good people?

My heart goes out to her.


Watch CBS News Videos Online

You Give Me Something

Happy St. Patty's Day!

I'm not IRISH, but I am SCOTTISH!

Happy St. Patty's Day everyone.

Have fun, be safe and make good choices.

Forgiveness

Forgiving someone can sometimes be very difficult, especially if they hurt you.

I am usually quick to forgive people.

I don't like to hold grudges.

With the help of God, prayer, friends, family and time, my heart is finally beginning to heal.

I can now say that I've forgiven.

My heart might hurt from time to time, but I've forgiven.

It is the good memories I will hold onto and the bad that I've let go.

I am released of bad and suppressed feelings of anger.

I've found peace and happiness again.

I can move forward with my life.

Saying "I love you"

Tonight's episode of "Frasier" was about saying "I love you"...

Rozz saying it accidentally in bed and trying to "take it back"...

Frasier and Niles wanting to hear their father tell them that he loves them.

Why is it that saying those three little words can be so scary? weird? nerve-racking? exciting?

Those three words can bring out several different emotions in people.

It's interesting to me.

I tell my close friends and family I love them all the time.

Not to just say it, but because I believe in telling the people you care about that you love them whenever possible.

You never know if it's the last time you'll see them.

Saying "I love you" to someone romantically is an entirely different story.

If you say it too soon, you might scare the other person off.

So, when do you know if it's the right time?

That's just it. You don't.

Saying those three words is a risk.

A risk of your heart.

Those words mean a lot to me.

I take them seriously.

Of course, I long to hear them again...some day...from the right man.

Life Changes and Accomplishments

I was inspired to write this blog because of a statement Jessica Simpson made in USA Today about turning 30 this summer and her ever-changing life....

'I've accomplished a lot'

There is a change in this Simpson — she has matured, has a thriving clothing and accessories empire, and will celebrate her 30th birthday this July.

"I'm ready to not be an old 20-year-old," she jokes. "That's the positive light." On a more serious side, she says she feels as if "I've accomplished a lot by age 30. I have my career and a great perspective on life. Dang, I've been married and divorced and fallen in love 10 times again." As for her dating life now, Simpson says, she's "hopeful in love and prosperity and friendships."

Regardless, Simpson says she's in "a better place."

"I think that we have to take the negative part of our lives and find some positive change. My reason is to be able to stand up for women around the world."

And it doesn't hurt to be standing in really great shoes.

http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2010-03-15-jessicasimpson15_ST_N.htm?csp=34&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+usatoday-LifeTopStories+%28Life+-+Top+Stories%29

I am 27 and still have a lot of life ahead of me.
A lot of things I plan to accomplish.
If I've learned anything in my life so far, it is to expect the unexpected.
Things don't always go according to your "plan", and you just have to roll with it.
Sometimes it's rolling with the punches...ouch!
But life goes on.
You pick yourself back up, dust yourself off, hold your head up high and keep moving.
Life is too short.

In my life, I've....

Fallen in love...a few times.

Had my heart broken....several times.
Graduated college.
Moved out of state.
Discovered my calling in life.
Married.
Divorced.
Admitted to graduate school.
Made several good friends.

And much more, but those are the highlights.

What's next for me...who knows?!

Superwoman

To all the superwomen out there...

Alicia Keys - New Music - More Music Videos

Relationships & Social Technology

Facebook, Myspace, Blogs, Twitter, IM, Email, Texts....

Just a few forms of social technology that can destroy a relationship.

Not only have I seen it happen to people I know, but I've experienced it.

I don't know what it is about this social connection phenomenon that has couples sneaking, hacking and questioning the other person's every move.

Trust in relationships is even more important these days.

Couples today experience relationship challenges that our parents and grandparents did not.

The problem with all of today's technology and social networking is that communication is difficult to read without seeing the other person's body language or to be able to hear the tone of their voice.

In turn it's often over-analyzed and viewed to have negative connotation.

I strongly believe in old-fashion face-to-face conversations and time spent with the other person.

Sure, a cute text in the middle of the day is nice, but I think a hand-written note is extremely sweet and much more thoughtful.

Social Networking And Relationships|NewsChannel 8

The Price of Beauty

Jessica Simpson's The Price of Beauty Overview: "Jessica Simpson's The Price of Beauty Overview premieres on March 15 at 10PM ET on VH1."

Apt Hunting

Searching for an apartment is such a pain!

I'm excited to find a new place, move in and start over.

New is always exciting.

I'm an impatient person and just want to find the perfect place already.

I don't think I'm a picky person.

Just looking for....

- a 1 bedroom or small 2 bedroom
- allows a small dog
- washer/dryer
- good/safe neighborhood
- not too far from work
- rent that doesn't = a full paycheck

I hope to have good news soon and to move this June or July!

O.M.G.

Oh my! Who knew that men like this existed out there?! Men like this are the reason why I HATE being single. There are some major creepers out there. Good luck ladies!

http://melodymaker.posterous.com/the-reason-some-girls-stay-single-very-funny

Grace, Class, & Beauty

Jennifer Aniston totally amazes me with her constant grace and beauty. She's one classy woman. I admire her strength and independence.

Stay Here Forever

I love Jewel and this song...

13.1 - here I come!

Dear God,

Please look over me as I run my first half marathon on June 13, 2010. Please allow for a safe experience for all of those involved that day.

Amen.

That's right. Today I signed up for my very first half marathon.

I will be running in the Chicago 13.1 marathon with my good friend and co-worker, Megan this June.

Ahhh!

I thought about it and wasn't sure if I'd do it....or could do it.

Finally, I said to myself...it's time to stop thinking so much and start doing.

I have so many things I've thought about doing, but have never had the courage to actually do.

Not anymore.

No more excuses.

New year.

New start.

New me.

Time to start L-I-V-I-N-G.

I have a lot of training ahead of me, but I'm ready.

http://www.active.com/framed/event_detail.cfm?EVENT_ID=1779051&CHECKSSO=0

The love of my life...

My niece, Ella, is the love of my life.
Her smile...her laugh...her little hands in mine...brighten my day.
I am so proud to be her aunt and Godmother.
I look forward to some day having a child of my own.

Simple Pleasures

Simple pleasures (in no particular order)....


* smiles from my niece, Ella

* a good hug

* holding hands with someone you love

* a letter from an old friend

* getting my hair done

* kissing in the rain

* back massages

* laughing uncontrollably with my brothers

* time with my mama - shopping, phone dates, and our walks

* receiving flowers for no reason

* finding a good sale

* girls night

* taking pictures

* my grandma's food

* rollerskating with my dad

* getting lost in a good book

* coffee with friends

* snuggling with my pup

* a good song on the radio

* the beach

* passionate kisses

* the feeling after a good workout

* walking barefoot

* slow dancing wherever, whenever with the one you love

* oreos and milk

* hearing those 3 special little words: I love you

The "right" decisions...

How do we know if we're making the right decisions in life?

I realize God has a plan for all of us, but couldn't He at least provide us with the cliff notes or at least a brief synopsis?

That would be really helpful.

There are times when I am so lost.

From arguments and break-ups to new opportunities and big moves, how do we know which path to take? What decisions to make?

There are times when I could use a little direction from the good Lord above.

I pray that He guides me to where I'm supposed to be.

I realize we all make mistakes and that's part of the learning process, but I wish I could just skip over all of that stuff and just get it right the first time around.

I know some of us just want things to fall into place, but then our life stories wouldn't as interesting, right?

The Soloist

"I've learned the dignity of being loyal to something you believe in. Of holding onto it. Above all else, of believing, without question, that it will carry you home." - The Soloist

I've never actually seen this movie, but I like this quote.

"The Soloist"....that's what I feel like these days.

I'm flying solo and I'm OK with that.

There are still days when I wake up and can't believe this is my life.

I can't believe he's gone.

I'm at peace with everything now though.

It's for the best.

Things happen in life for a reason.

Every experience is a lesson learned.

Forgiveness is key..I'm still working on that.

My dreams are important to me...I still believe in true love and marriage...with the right person.

Turn Ons, Turn Offs

Let's face it. When entering the treacherous world of dating someone new, we need all the help we can get! Getting to know someone on an intimate level can be scary, mysterious, and baffling. With a little help from the planets, however, you can avoid the pitfalls and cut right to the good stuff.

Knowing the Sun Sign of your new crush can help you lure them into your arms and prevent you from sending him or her running for the hills. By heeding the stars' superb courtship and dating advice, you can be sure your next date will turn into putty in your hands. Check the Sign of your current sweetheart or latest infatuation and get ready for the temperatures to rise between you.

Pisces (me) :
Warm up your Pisces with a good foot rub. Be sure to go all-out with scented massage oil to really do it up right. Pisces are a sensitive breed who need to feel emotionally safe before they can feel intimately safe. Check in with your Fish regularly to see how they are feeling. Your Pisces may be swimming in deep waters, and may not reveal things until you ask.

Read more here: http://astrocenter.astrology.msn.com/msn/TurnOnsTurnOffs_Article.aspx