#Reverb10 - Day 31

December 31 – Core Story
What central story is at the core of you, and how do you share it with the world? (Bonus: Consider your reflections from this month. Look through them to discover a thread you may not have noticed until today. (Author: Molly O’Neill)

My story is shared through my blog, it records the trials & tribulations, high & lows, successes & failures, accomplishments & disappointments. I have come so far this year, and still have far to travel, but I go on the journey with an open mind & heart!

JYC - Day 31

Plans for tonight - dinner with my parents (who are staying with us), watch TV, play cards (for money!) drink, eat & be merry LOL!

Brave Girls Daily Truth - A Little Bird Told Me!

Dear Fabulous Girl,

You may feel too old to do it, or maybe too young. You may feel too fat, too uneducated, too worn out or too devastated.
You might sometimes even feel like it's just not worth it to try so hard, or that your clothes aren't right, or that your car is too embarrassing. You may just feel like you are too unorganized, inefficient and inexperienced to start on your dreams or to keep going with your dreams.

You may feel like the world is too unkind a place or that it is all just too scary. You might even feel sometimes like your dreams are sort of silly or that they don't matter.
You might feel this way. There may even be others who cause you to feel this way. You probably have a hundred reasons not to follow your dreams, not to live the life you are wanting to live, not to WAKE UP and fly reasons to stay stuck.

Your excuses might even be really legitimate.

Well, dear friend, DO IT ANYWAY, DREAM ANYWAY, FLY ANYWAY, OK? 

No more waiting, DO IT ANYWAY.

You are so capable. You are so loved. It is time.
xoxo

My Latest Creations

Sugar Plum Fairy & Diving Belle

#Reverb10 - Day 30

December 30 – Gift

Prompt: Gift. This month, gifts and gift-giving can seem inescapable. What’s the most memorable gift, tangible or emotional, you received this year? (Author: Holly Root)

The gift of the year for me was my CPAP machine - it enables me to sleep at night without snoring , stopping breathing or getting up to visit the bathroom and means I don't fall asleep during the day at all!

 Thank you to Somerset NHS and Somerset Lung Centre @ Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton without you my quality of life would be very different

JYC 2010 - Day 30

Review 2010

Grandsons, Crafting, Maggie, Family (especially DD & DH), Horseworld, Longleat, Binge Eating Group, Fab 5, Fortnum & Mason Hamper, Journal Your Christmas, Learn Something New Every Day, Photofunia, Oscar & Felix, Snowman, Icicle OSA/CPAP, Reconnecting with Family, Scrapbooking friends, Penally's, Dixie Pieces, Soul Scrappers, Pippa Passes By ...Blog - the list goes on and on (and I might well add to it LOL!)

Brave Girls Club Daily Truth - A Little Bird Told Me!

Dear Brilliant Girl,

It is amazing, when we look back on what we thought we knew for absolutely sure that we wanted, even things we grieved over because they never happened -- it is amazing how blessed we were that those things never happened, or because we never "got" the things we thought for sure that we wanted.

Think back, wonderful you -- think back and find those things. Think about what has happened INSTEAD. Think about where you are now, and what you have learned, and who you have become, and where you are headed, due largely in part to those things NOT happening that you were sure that wanted to happen.

Even if those thoughts are painful, and you are still wishing, be patient. You are in the middle point of here to there. If things haven't worked out, they aren't done working out yet. You will soon see, beautiful friend, if you have not already, that everything somehow just works out. It always has, and it always will. Trust this.

Please don't worry anymore.
Please be at peace.
Please trust your journey.
You have not been forgotten.

You are sooooo loved!
xoxo

GLEE Club

Soul Scrappers is running a challenge series based on GLEE Club (don't you love that show!!). Lots of great challenges, quizes, competitions and best of all lots of great prizes. Come on over and check it out here......

#Reverb10 - Day 29

December 29 – Defining Moment
Describe a defining moment or series of events that has affected your life this year. (Author: Kathryn Fitzmaurice)

August sometime, rediscovering my love for scrap booking, I had imagined my MOJO had left me- to the contrary I had left my MOJO behind in a fit of pique, as sort of a punishment for wrongs (imagined or real) done to me by unnamed persons. It was an immature act, in fact the only person that suffered was me, as the perceived  (in my eyes) wrongdoers felt/behaved no differently in reality. I'm sad that I took that course  and there are regrets as my youngest grandson has had few scrapbook pages dedicated to him prior to this "Road to Damascus" occasion in my life. Shimelle's "Learn Something New Everyday" got me back into the flow followed by the Dixie Pieces Glee Club Challenges, Shimelle's "Journal Your Christmas "started., then UK Scrappers Cyber Crop weekend.  I'll probably be doing the "Two Peas in a Bucket" FREE classes that start January 1st 2011 and continue throughout the year + of course I have the Brave Girls "Soul Restoration" course that starts 11th January for 6 weeks, I'm really excited about that!

WOW - 2000th Visitor

Thank you readers and followers and all those perfectly amazing people who make comments on my humble blog. As we approach 2011 I reflect that in 2010 my blog has very often been the thing that motivates me in life and my craft. I rediscovered my health in June and my artistic abilities in September so I have been blessed. Thank you dear readers xx

JYC 2010 - Day 29

Catch Up - A day for playing catch up, sorting out from a great family day yesterday, getting ready for my parents visiting tomorrow and organising for a big family dinner on New Year's Day - and of course crafting (some more painting I think!) 

Photo is of my mantel shelf with my 5 favourite cards this year - from Maggie, my husband to me, my daughter & family, mine to my husband & my parents. They mean the most and are quite, quite special. I didn't get physical cards from some of the special people in my life - but that's OK and I know the thought was there, but time & distance can trip us up.

Brave Girls Daily Truth - A Little Bird Told Me!

Dear Fabulous Girl,

Often, to get to the very BEST things that are meant for our life, we have to give up very GOOD things that we enjoy very much. This is the meaning of sacrifice.

If we want our bodies to be healthy, we have to really control the eating of lots of delicious but unhealthy foods that we enjoy. If we want to become good at a hobby or skill, we have to give up time in our days to practice and study. If we want to have peaceful and meaningful relationships, we often have to give up our ego and do things for the sake of others.

Almost everything that is beautiful and true requires some kind of sacrifice on our part. We can not look at this as a loss, because truly, we are trading something good for something even better. It is a wonderful thing, and a path to happiness.

Be brave enough to let go of the good things that are holding you back from the best things.

You are phenomenal; you can do this.
And, you are so very loved.
xoxo

JYC 2010 - Day 28

Indulgences - I love Hotel Chocolat chocolates, they are simply divine. I allow myself to be treated or I treat myself just twice a year, my birthday and Christmas. This year I treated myself to a box of 6 of my favourite ones for my birthday and for Christmas my DH gave me a special box of 15 speciality ones, they contained my most favourite chocolate of all Isabelle (the middle one in the link photo!) I have rationed myself to make them last longer LOL!

#Reverb10 - Day 28

December 28 – Achieve

What’s the thing you most want to achieve next year? How do you imagine you’ll feel when you get it? Free? Happy? Complete? Blissful? Write that feeling down. Then, brainstorm 10 things you can do, or 10 new thoughts you can think, in order to experience that feeling today. (Author: Tara Sophia Mohr)

Gradual weight loss, nothing drastic, my specialist will be happy with 1kg per month, that's do-able without it being a hassle, without making life miserable, doing it the "NORMAL" way rather than the drastic dieting, forbidden foods, starvation way, that might work for some (short term generally) but not for me as I've started to listen to my body and understand it's needs rather than it's wants or more importantly what I think it wants when I'm bored, depressed or lonely.

I think I'll feel a great sense of achievement, I have 2 appointments with the hospital this year, so that's 2 opportunities to see the achievements in reality. Ten things I can do or think to feel achievement RIGHT NOW!

In no particular order: -

1. Look at my beadwork
2. Look at my many scrapbooking layouts, probably done 100+ this year (since 09/10)
3. Look at my painting (just started again)
4. Look at my craft apron (hand embellished & embroidered)
5. Look at my grandsons
6. Look at my daughter, she's a fine young woman and a great mother (better than I was)
7. Thinks about how far I've come already
8. Read my blog and the many comments kind people have made
9. Consider how many new friends I have made online and through group
10. Appreciate my darling husband, who allows me the freedom to do all this and loves me for who I am!

A Truth?

“You must dare to disassociate yourself from those who would delay your journey… Leave, depart, if not physically, then mentally. Go your own way, quietly, undramatically and venture toward trueness at last” Vernon Howard

Love Fairy - Be Mine

Next one, loads more sketching done, ideas coming thick & fast LOL!

Brave Girls Daily Truth - A Little Bird Told Me!

Dear Beautiful Girl, You are more loved than you could ever know. You bless more lives than you could ever know. Your life matters more than you could ever know. Please stop and enjoy this time with those who love you and those who you love. ENJOY every minute of it. Soak it all in. You are so phenomenal.You are so absolutely loved. xoxo

JYC 2010 - Day 27

Sleep - I sleep well these days, I don’t sleep LONG, but then I don’t need to, the sleep I have is good quality, I don't fall asleep through the day and I don’t get up at night to visit the bathroom either. Weekends, weekdays or holidays - it makes no difference to my sleeping; I’m usually up approx. 7-7½ hours after I start to use my CPAP machine, this seems to be the pattern I have easily settled into since I started using my CPAP in June. My comfy bed, my bedside table, with my book, glasses, alarm clock, mobile phone and my marvellous machine - so off to sleep, perchance to dream!

#Reverb10 - Day 27

December 27 – Ordinary Joy
Our most profound joy is often experienced during ordinary moments. What was one of your most joyful ordinary moments this year? (Author: Brené Brown)
October half term week - @ home in the dining room, sitting crafting with Maggie, extra tables in the lounge for all the extra tools we needed (cricut, cuttlebug, sewing machine, Bind-it-All etc), the interconnecting doors removed for easy access. TV or music playing, laptop downstairs to keep in touch, scrapbooking stuff everywhere - pure bliss. Oh and a very understanding husband!

14 Ways to Get Unstuck - Tara Sophia Mohr (abridged)

We all get stuck: paralyzed about a decision, unsure what choice to make. Stuck in resentment or disappointment we can’t quite recover from, stuck in a plan that’s not working as anticipated, stuck in a destructive, repetitive dynamic with family members, co-workers, or friends. When we’re stuck, things feel immovable, entrenched and even hopeless. The good news is, they aren’t. We human beings are actually extremely adept at getting unstuck, at seeing the same thing in new ways, discovering new insights and changing our attitudes, but we need some tools to create that movement.

Here are 14 of my favourite ways to get unstuck. Keep them all in your toolkit, or experiment to see which ones work most powerfully for you.

1. Find the reasons why it’s all just perfect.

Perfect? This dreadful, annoying, not-what-you-planned situation is perfect? Yes it is! Your mind will figure out how if you point it in that direction. Say to yourself, “this situation is perfect because…” and brainstorm five reasons. Find the truth in each of them. Now what looks different?

2. Put on a soundtrack.

Pick a favourite song and connect to the mood of that song. Play the song out loud or just think of it. Then apply the mood of the song to how you look at the situation. You might bring the spirit “What a Wonderful World” to the argument with your mother in law. Bring the mood of your favourite jazz piece to the last minute work assignment your boss just handed you. What feels different now?

3. Go to 10,000 feet.

Close your eyes and take a magic carpet ride into space. Take your time. Take some deep breaths. When you reach 10,000 feet, take in the gorgeous view, and then look down at your current situation from a great distance. What’s clear now that you are looking at the big picture?

4. Ask yourself, “What would make this fun?”

Oh, if we all asked that question more… what a world we’d create. Brainstorm ten ideas that would make the situation more fun. Then pick a few and experiment with them.

5. Time travel.

Imagine a visit with a fulfilled, older version of yourself, one on the other side of this situation, fifteen or twenty years from now. Ask him or her how she navigated it. What was really important? What advice does he or she have for you?

6. Reverse Time travel.

Pay a visit to your childhood self. Visit yourself as little girl or boy in one of your favourite childhood places. Sit down and play for a few minutes. Then ask that younger you what he or she makes of the situation, and what he or she would like you to do. What new possibilities do you see? What’s happening with the child in you?

7. Tell the truth.

Just tell the truth, including the parts that feel scary and vulnerable to share. Including the parts you’ve been repressing or avoiding. That unfailingly shakes things up and breaks stagnation. Be diplomatic, be kind, be your wise and sensitive self–but state your truth.

8. Take care of yourself.

In difficult situations, we typically focus on how they (those other crazy people) should be different, how they are wrong. Bring your attention back to yourself. What do you need to do to take care of you? What do you need to protect your sanity, act in alignment with your integrity, and be the happy camper you want to be? Take care of your needs, and watch your relationship to the situation change.

9. Be Creative

Doodle, paint, craft or make a collage. Let your right brain take over as you make some pictures about the situation. You’ll process and evolve your feelings as you do.

10. Surrender, completely.

Feeling like you are banging your head against a wall or swimming upstream signals a need for surrender. Surrendering doesn’t mean endorsing or even tolerating what is happening; it just means accepting reality. State what is, make peace with it. Take five deep breaths, breathing in what is. Let go into it. Notice what new possibilities or insights appear over the next few days.

11. Gather new information.

Speak with someone involved in the situation, someone who is likely to see it differently to you. Ask them five open-ended questions about the situation. Here are the rules: No statements or reactions on your part, just brief, curious questions! No questions longer than 10 words. No “yes/no” questions (i.e. “Do you think Jane is being unreasonable?”). No leading questions. Ask “what” or “how” questions (“What do you think about all this?” “What do you think is needed to resolve the situation?”).

12. Look for the pattern.

Is something feeling familiar about the situation? Another jerk in authority, another person abandoning you, another situation where you are feeling betrayed, powerless or sad or whatever it is? Look for the pattern: When in your life have you felt this way before? That will point you towards your part in creating the situation, your own issues and side of the street. Once you are looking there, your understanding of the situation will shift.

13. Get in the water.

Some day, science will be able to tell us why, I’m sure. For the meantime we can rely on personal experience to know that something magical happens with problem-solving when we bring our problems to water. Take a shower, take a bath, go for a swim, or listen to water sounds near a fountain or on your computer. Water gets stuck stuff flowing.

14. Move.

I know CEO’s who swear that their five-minute walks around the block are their most productive times of the day. Moving our bodies gets our minds and emotions moving. Only the crazy culture of mind-body separation we live with would have us think the best way to solve a problem is by sitting still at a desk, thinking about it. Take a walk, do some stretches, work out or dance and then see what has shifted.

Craft Day - Watercolour

Cupcake Fairy

Decided to have a go at some sketching this morning, drew my Botticelli fairy, painted her with watercolours and then embellished with some tiny stamps and used silver & gold Indian Inks for wings & shoes. I feel a few more drawings in the soul yet to be completed!

JYC 2010 - Day 26

Boxing Day = Relaxing Day

That's the rule in our house, a no stress, no fuss day with minimum cooking, eating leftovers and grazing on what's in the fridge. There's plenty to go at, even though we didn't have a traditional Christmas Lunch yesterday. Today's LO is special because I used the Martha Stewart Butterflies Edge Punch that my bestest girly friend Maggie gave me for Christmas, I so wanted one and I love it. The weather outside is still snowy, not surprising as the temperature day is -6c, so NO thawing at all.

#Reverb10 - Day 26

December 26 – Soul Food

What did you eat this year that you will never forget? What went into your mouth & touched your soul? (Author: Elise Marie Collins)

Quite simply a raisin! I've been going to a food awareness group (BEG) one of the tasks we completed was looking at, smelling, tasting & eating one raisin, the whole process took 10 minutes, it changed my attitude towards food forever!

#Reverb10 - Day 25

December 25 – Photo – a present to yourself

Sift through all the photos of you from the past year. Choose one that best captures you; either who you are, or who you strive to be. Find the shot of you that is worth a thousand words. Share the image, who shot it, where, and what it best reveals about you. (Author: Tracey Clark)

A rare photo of me & youngest grandson, he's not normally a snuggler so this is precious, his older brother is a very snuggly bunny who never fails to tell you he loves you and gives loads of cuddles willingly. Taken in our lounge by DH on a Monday, why do I know it's a Monday? Well I'm wearing my cooking apron and GS#1 & I do baking EVERY Monday LOL!

JYC 2010 - Day 25

My DH & I are having a lovely quiet day, no pressure, had Brunch already, having chinese food later on when we feel like it, then chilling in front of TV with films & Doctor Who.

I have saved all the gift tags from my presents and put them in the hidden pocket and used Maggie's gift tag on the LO, there's hidden journalling on the back of the large insert with the photo on which will also go in the pocket.

I've taken loads of photos already (the weather, the cats, the tree, the icicle) and completed my LO - this is the first Xmas I have neither cooked or eaten a traditional Christmas lunch and you know what I love the stress free approach - bring it on!!!!!!

I'm So Lucky!

My gorgeous presents from loving family members & friend Maggie + of course I had a place on the Scrap-A-Mia Retreat & Brave Girls "Soul Restoration" Course, and some cash - I'm such a lucky girl.  So loving the MS punch (thanks Maggie) and a real surprise to get a Radley Purse and the hot water bottle is just soooooo furry and lovely. Thanks to DD & family who always know what I like - Cupcakes and GLEE, they bought me a cupcake cake stand from the boys and the GLEE Club CD (with Karaoke tracks!).
DH got tops from M&S - money is really tight for them this year and these presents are really appreciated but then they are always thoughtful and remember special days like Father's & Mother's Day and birthdays as well as Christmas. DH & I also had a heated Hostess Unit which is amazing and so what we wanted and just in time for Christmas!

JYC 2010 - Day 24

Today - been busy in the kitchen, made pastry for 2 Turkey & Ham pies (1 eat, 1 freeze), a doz mince pies to freeze, a mincemeat & cranberry roll & baked a ham joint for cold cuts & a turkey leg for turkey casserole, probably got enough for homemade soup too! Now to SKYPE with Maggie, relax and craft, then sit & chill with a glass of white wine and either a good book or a good film. 

Anybody care to guess what our Christmas food will be tomorrow? (PS, and it's not what I cooked today LOL!)

Clockwise from top left 1.Felix & Oscar - snowbound, 2. Full fridge, 3. Resident Snowman courtesy of DH, 4. Icicle 4'6" long hanging from our house, and getting longer!

#Reverb10 - Day 24

December 24 Prompt – Everything’s OK
What was the best moment that could serve as proof that everything is going to be alright? And how will you incorporate that discovery into the year ahead? (Author: Kate Inglis)

I'm afraid it's back to the old Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) thing - finding out there was a medical reason I snored so badly, slept so badly,  got up to go the bathroom 3-4 times a night, was always tired and kept falling asleep whenever I sat down to relax. 

Although a shock to discover I was not allowed to drive until I had 4 weeks Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine compliance (as my OSA was so severe!) the very diagnosis changed my life for the better, and I can't imagine sleeping without my CPAP now. As for next year, reminding myself that if I think I have a problem I probably do and need to face it head on and not be an ostrich!

Brave Girls Daily Truth - A Little Bird Told me!

Dear Precious Girl,

We all have the best intentions to make things magical for everyone we love during special occasions. We do all that we can and often we end up feeling like we fell short. We often get tired, irritable and disappointed in ourselves and in the way things did not work out the way we wanted them to. We often look around and all of the amazing things that "everyone else" around us accomplished, the perfectly magical experiences that they were able to pull off, and then, we just beat ourselves up over it.

What is the truth in all of this, beautiful friend? No matter what did or did not happen here we are. We are HERE now. We have this chance to make the most of where we are now. We have this chance to be the best we can be right now. We have this chance to put on a smile, to see the good, to spread joy, to give ourselves a break, to give everyone else a break, to tell others that it's ok if they didn't get everything done that they were wanting to get done.

We get to STOP, look around and see that even though things might not be the magazine picture way we wanted them to be, that we can still make them into wonderful memories. We can still enjoy. We can still let the people around us know that we love them. We can BE IN THE MEMORIES instead of trying to orchestrate them for everyone else.

We can do this, lovely you.

This season is about LOVE in action. We can always love no matter how many things got baked, delivered or caroled. We can always love, and that is the best gift of all anyway.

Breathe deep, let the expectations go. Enjoy.

You are so loved.
xoxo

Snowman Flies In!

My DH building a snowman for our grandsons- hope it's still here when they visit next Tuesday LOL!

JYC 2010 - Day 23

Stockings - When we were children we had pillowcases, candy striped flannelet pillow cases on the end of the bed, when I was first married my then husband was not a great Christmas person despite the fact he was was born on the 25th, I don't remember Christmas being the special with his family. After our divorce and with a young baby I was glad to be firmly back in the heart of my family and normal services resumed, a pillow case for my daughter at the end of her bed. When I met my partner and my now husband a couple of years after he had separated from his wife, his son always seemed to spend Christmas Eve with his mum, we never objected as it seemed heartless to take her only child away at such a special time. So very often his dad would drive over Christmas morning or Boxing Day to bring him to spend time with us, his presents would always be ready, he was lucky in many ways as he very often had two sets LOL! My ex never had contact with his daughter so our two families came together to make their own traditions - we had stockings for the kids, ones with names on, until they grew up and left home and made their own traditions with their own families. I don't know what traditions my stepson and his family carry on, but my daughter still has a stocking and her children have Santa Sacks (from Nana). Now we are older we still have stockings hanging over the fireplace, but sadly they are for ornamental purposes only and don't get filled!

#Reverb10 - Day 23

December 23 – New Name

Let’s meet again, for the first time. If you could introduce yourself to strangers by another name for just one day, what would it be and why? (Author: Becca Wilcott)

Hi, I'm Cassandra, or Annabelle, or .... well I seem to be being drawn to names that are all 3 syllables long, just as well my given name is Philippa then. Please note the spelling .... one L & 2 P's, I've spent my life making sure my name was spelt correctly, not filippa, fillippa, phillippa, phillipa just Philip with PA on the end - PHILIPPA!

Given name meaning "lover of horses" or "horses' friend". It can also mean "love".  It is the feminine form of the masculine name Philip. It is composed of the Greek elements philein (to love) and hippos (horse), and is derived from the name of Alexander the Great's father, the ancient Greek king, Philip II of Macedon (akaPhilippos, Filippos, and Pilipos), who was an avid horse lover. The name is commonly shortened to the nicknames Pippa, Pippy, and Pip.

Notable people with the name Philippa include:

• Saint Philippa, 3rd century martyr and saint
• Philippa Boyens, New Zealand screenwriter
• Philippa Fawcett, English mathematician
• Philippa Foot, British philosopher
• Philippa Forrester, British television presenter and producer
• Philippa Gregory, British novelist
• Philippa of Hainault, queen consort of Edward III of England
• Philippa Plantagenet, granddaughter of Edward III of England
• Philippa Schuyler, American child prodigy and pianist
• Philippa Pearce, English children's author
• Philippa of Lancaster, English princess, consort queen of Portugal
• Philippa of Coimbra, Portuguese person
• Philippa Middleton, English - Sister of Kate Middleton, the fiancée of Britain's Prince William of Wales

I was named after a lady my mother worked with, and as a child I never really liked my name, but I grew into it. I'm not generally known as Philippa, people call me Pippa, I think that's because when I was a child "Philippa" being called out usually meant I was in a bit of trouble, "Philippa Jane" and I knew I was in a load of trouble LOL!

Little known fact - Pippa is also slang for BJ in greek, hence Pippa Funnell reverted to Philippa during the 2004 Olypic Games held in Greece, saved a lot of red faces!

Brave Girls Daily Truth - A Little Bird Told Me .....

Dear Gorgeous Girl,

You might forget sometimes the truth of who you really are. You may start to step back into the muck that has pulled you in and feel that old feeling of yucky inadequacy that has kept you stuck so many times. Remember that those icky feelings do not come from a place of truth.

When you are tired, weary, feeling weak and on shaky ground, that's the most important time to remember your magnificence. You must do your best to stay in the truth, the truth that you were created for a wonderful purpose, that there is a plan for you, that you are a miraculous & beautiful creation, a masterpiece, that you are not just a number -- that after you were made, the mold was broken and there is NOT A SINGLE SOUL on the face of the earth who is just like you.

You are SO important. You are SO LOVED. You are seen. You have not been forgotten. You are doing a wonderful job.

You are phenomenal.
Don't forget it.
xoxo

The Weather Outside is Icy!!!!

 View from my craft room window, the icicles are 4 foot long!

JYC 2010 - Day 22

Decisions made, Christmas Day food decided on, bought and in the fridge! Not traditional by any means, any guesses?

My "To Do Right Now" list was written this morning and it prompted me to complete everything on the list, how cool is that? I've completed my page for today and list is in envelope

1. Decide on Christmas Day food
2. Buy food for Christmas Day
3. Buy last minute gift for TG & wrap
4. Sort out the freezer (full of holiday food!)
5. Make pigs in blankets & freeze for 1st January

Ideas & Importance About Self Care

Thanks to Heather @ To Live Inspired
Hey Inspiring Souls!

At this time of year it’s hard to remember to take care of ourselves, well actually it seems like that is a challenge for many of us at any time of year!

When we don’t engage in self care we feel:

• drained
• resentful
• overwhelmed
• overworked
• under appreciated (even if by our own selves!)

We don’t have the physical, spiritual or mental energy to be the best we can be and give back to those around us. It’s often that we don’t schedule it in as important, we feel like it’s selfish but it is actually the opposite of that e.g. if you’re on an airplane and the oxygen masks come down - they always tell you to put yours on first that way you can help those around you, this is the same thing.
Self care comes in 3 sort of categories Mind-Body-Soul they are all connected but some areas may need a little more TLC, take a few minutes to slow down and just see what message your life is giving you about those areas, where is your attention being pulled towards?

It’s up to you to define what self care looks and feels like for you, but some examples.

• Take time to read, even if it's just 15-20mins find something uplifting, inspiring or comforting to read
• Take a bath
• Do a mask on your face, hands or feet (or all 3)
• Do a collage, paint a page, get crafty and messy, do it with no expectations just play
• Watch a movie that you love or have wanted to see
• Sit down with a hot drink, sink into the moment, savour it, don’t drink it whilst doing 5 other things
• Journal
• Meditate
• Have a 15mins+ photo hunt, just take your camera (the one on your phone counts) and look for things to photograph don’t over think it - just play
• Read a magazine cover to cover, with no guilt or should haves

#Reverb10 - Day 22

December 22 – Travel
How did you travel in 2010? How and/or where would you like to travel next year? (Author: Tara Hunt)

I didn't "travel" last year as far as any holidays were concerned - I spent precisely 7 nights away from home, all staying with family, a far cry from the days when I was away 100+ nights with work & 28 for holidays, so I haven't travelled far due to financial restraints rather than physical ones. We have had visitors though, my best mate Maggie has come to stay a number of times, family have stayed the odd night too. I would like to go a bit further during 2011 but apart from a couple of Scrapbooking Retreats next year which both involve 2 nights away I've nothing planned. 

If we're talking fantasy and money was no object then I'd love to go on a cruise to South America, no flying - just departing Southampton with all my luggage safely stowed in an enormous suite,  we would call in at interesting ports along the way, travelling around South America and then coming back through the Panama Canal, cruising up the east coast and then back home. Not sure if they even run that itinerary! I can but dream .....

Brave Girls Daily Truth - A Little Bird Told Me!

Dear Unmatchable Girl,

Today it is time for you to be kind. To you. Just try, sweet friend, just try. You are the only one who knows the parts of you that need kindness the most, and for this reason, only you can provide this kind of deep kindness that you so need.

So today, please just try to be kind to the weak parts of yourself. Be kind to your addictions and your frailties, your mistakes and all of your human parts. Rather than treating these parts of yourself with hatred and disgust, please just take hands with these parts and say, "I am with you, we will make it through this."

There are these kinds of parts to ALL of us. These parts are lonely, scared and act out in ways that make us sometimes feel ashamed. BUT, they ARE parts of us, and what if we just TRY to treat them with kindness, to put our arms around these parts of ourselves and let them know that no matter what, we will work hard to BE with these parts and teach them with love and truth.

Just try, sweetest girl -- just try. BE KIND to ALL of you. Let her know that it's gonna be ok, that you are gonna love her no matter what as she works through all of this.

It will be worth it.
You are so deeply loved.
xoxo

Good News/Bad News

Good news 

• DH made it to the dentist for his crown to be fitted!
• Daughter's family car "Gerald" passed his MOT (thank goodness), so they are away down to South Devon tomorrow (weather permitting) to her DH's parents for Christmas so she can rest after the operation!
• NO more snow fell today!
• I managed some crafting today, a LO & my apron!
• SKYPED with Sarah!
• 4 sleeps till Xmas!

Bad News

• Still no decision on food for Christmas Lunch onwards!
• Still NO post since Friday, I'm waiting for my Secret Santa gift, a card from Maggie, an order from Play.com + 3 orders for stuff for my course that starts in January!
• Didn't SKYPE with Maggie, missing her and she's on a 9-5 tomorrow!
• Still freezing temperatures here and the snow is not going anywhere LOL!
• 4 sleeps till Xmas!

My New Craft Apron

I've just finished my new craft apron, I had one I made previously ( made from a failed competition entry  and it was getting a bit tired so I used some applique patches that I had made in USA and one of my special  embroidered felt cupcake brooches (the pink Breast Cancer one) added frills & a large pocket and hey presto, a washable craft apron (as I can remove the brooch), what do you think? This is my latest model and I'm available for orders LOL!

The Parcel Force Worldwide Man Delivers ......

A Fortnum & Mason Hamper, how posh and a very unexpected surprise from my cousin Liz & her husband Nigel. After nearly 20 years of no contact, we rekindled our friendship, which is amazing and I'm so happy we did! I spent a great night away at Liz's in July, when we put the world to rights, sorted through old photos and chatted forever and then she & Nigel came over to mine & Tim's for the night, in November we had a great time. Very unexpected to receive such a marvellous surprise and I've always wanted a F&M hamper, I love F&M, so much nicer than Harrods LOL! It was delivered by a very nice man from Parcel force Worldwide, they even posted a comment teee hee!!!

Thank you Liz & Nigel - so very thoughtful and much appreciated

#Reverb10 - Day 21

December 21 – Future Self.
Imagine yourself five years from now. What advice would you give your current self for the year ahead? (Bonus: Write a note to yourself 10 years ago. What would you tell your younger self?) (Author: Jenny Blake)

• Don't stress, don't beat up on yourself if things get tough! 
• Be kind to yourself, believe in yourself,  you CAN do it!
• Enjoy life, explore, discover & experience life!
• Enjoy food, NO food is forbidden, but listen to what your whole body tells you!
• Take care of yourself, mind, body & spirit!
• Regular health checks, when necessary no ostrich-like burying your head to avoid things!
• Spend time with positive people that build you up, avoid the negative ones that try to drag you down!
• Spend time with family & "real" friends, appreciate them for who they are, not what they might be!
• Share - love, life, time, experiences, possessions, whatever!

JYC 2010 - Day 21

Right Now - The cards are displayed & the tree is up, the presents (most of them!) are under the tree, we're "Chez Gore" this Christmas, the two of us on our own for the first time ever (that'll be 24 years as a couple!). In fact thinking about it, I don't think I've ever spent Christmas Day without company OMG - how scary is that?  We're still deciding on food for the day (I know a bit late), but we're having Brunch mid morning, then ? later on mid afternoon, then ? later on whilst watching the "awesome?" programmes on the TV. I'll try to fill in the ? later when decisions have been made. We will have to go shopping before the big day, which in reality is not a problem as we live 400 yards from a Tesco's supermarket, & can walk there in 5 minutes (might take longer with the snow & ice!). DH is off to the dentist today (weather permitting) to get another crown fitted (2 broken teeth in 6 weeks - damn those dried banana chips!) then we might venture out - maybe! I'm finishing off laundry and a few odd jobs then crafting ..............

Brave Girls Daily Truth - A Little Bird Told Me .......

Dear Thoughtful Girl,

Sometimes all that you can do is wait for it to feel better, wait for a bad day to be over, wait for things to work themselves out. Sometimes you have done all that you can possibly do, and then you just have to wait.

Patience teaches us tremendous lessons and rewards us with tremendous gifts. Patience makes us grow in ways that nothing else could. Patience is hard to embrace, and practicing patience is hard to do. Most things that have lasting value come through doing difficult things.

If you are in a time, beautiful friend, where you have done all that you can do, and now you must just wait, take heart. Don't give up. Don't give in to the hopelessness, sorrow or bitterness that could and does consume some. Keep your heart open, keep believing what you believe. Keep your thoughts toward where you are headed, and how you WANT to feel, toward what is ahead. Do you best to learn in the moment. Do your very best. Things will turn around, just like they always do. Life will work out, just like it always does. You will be through this before you know it.

You are so very loved.
xoxo

JYC 2010 - Day 20

Christmas cards displayed in the lounge, one very beautiful personalised handmade one from one of the girls in my Fab 5 Food Group, unexpected and much appreciated. I'm sure there is another beautiful handmade one from my mate Maggie but sadly it is "in the post!".

#Reverb10 - Day 20

December 20 – Beyond Avoidance
What should you have done this year but didn’t because you were too scared, worried, unsure, busy or otherwise deterred from doing? (Bonus: Will you do it?) (Author: Jake Nickell)

This year I did what I had avoided doing for many years so the prompt is really irrelevant. This year has been one of discovery because of the decision I took in April and I have not regretted it anytime!

JYC 2010 - Day 19

Letter to Father Christmas

Dear Santa,
I’ve been a really good girl this year I think! It’s been quite a long voyage & I’ve discovered a few things like –

• I didn’t lose my MOJO but simply neglected it out of spite! It has been a pleasure to use it again and I have spent quite a lot of time catching up on scrapping the newest edition to the family, grandson #2 I haven’t needed to buy very much as I had so much stash as I discovered when I did a big sort & clear out!
• I really needed to stop being an ostrich and get a health check! I’m so glad I did, I’m very pleased with the results, nothing sinister, but I do have OSA (life has changed for the better with my CPAP!) and I did need urgently to address my weight issues (I am working on that slowly).
• I have enjoyed helping out with my DD and her family and I get to have the boys twice a week, whilst DD retrains as a TA. The boys have been a great source of pleasure and photo opportunities, and despite being shattered after they go home I still love doing it.

So what about my list for this year well -

• I’d like to ask for good health for my family (and good wealth) if at all possible.
• Anything crafty always goes down well (a bit of bling never hurts).
• A Scrapbook Retreat would be nice (Sparkle Dreams Retreat Maybe?)
• A stress free, quiet Christmas, not food focused, relaxing time would be simply PERFECT.

Best wishes
Pjbear
PS. The usual shot of single malt and homemade mince pie will be available as well as carrots for the “boys”

#Reverb10 - Day 19

December 19 – Healing
What healed you this year? Was it sudden, or a drip-by-drip evolution? How would you like to be healed in 2011? (Author: Leoni Allan)

I have gone through a healing process this year both physically, mentally  & emotionally. It was nothing sudden, it was a gradual process which started with a long overdue health MOT in April which led on to lots of tests & investigations and based on the results the healing started. Years of undiagnosed OSA had led to sleep deprivation,  higher BP and lack of concentration, use of a CPAP machine made an almost instant change in my life which I found startling to say the least, more energy, more zest for life. The other major issue identified in my life was my weight, I finally admitted that I was a "Binge Eater", I was diagnosed as morbidly obese and referred to a weight management consultant within the NHS who with her amazing team offered support at all levels. This involved counselling, a 12 week group therapy course with other people in the same position as myself; a psychologist & a dietitian worked with the group to provide us with information, support & skills to help us overcome our many issues (and there were loads and still are!) We also looked at what was healthy for us mentally and this involved of letting go of people or things that were holding us back, understanding that sometimes we have expectations that just simply cannot be met by others as they do not have it within them physically or emotionally. That wasted time & energy that consumes us can be channelled towards healing ourselves. Although the course has ended, the group still continues to offer support and there are still appointments with the professionals to attend for as long as necessary. It has been a year of discovery, I have lost weight, not the huge amounts that some people expect, but then I'm NOT on a DIET, I eat less, but that's because I'm addressing eating issues, I'm not hungry and I've only binged 3 times in the last 6 months, which is a marked improvement on 3 per week. It will take me years to lose the weight I would like, but I've come to accept that time isn't an issue, I used to have the unrealistic desire to lose weight quickly, but I now know that in the long run that is not sustainable and am happy with the path I have chosen.

I wouldn't say I'm totally healed and so the process will continue in 2011 and I'm not afraid to be on that path as I have lots of things planned to help me explore the future possibilities.

Journey in 2011

Dear Comfort Zone - starting my ascent into 2011, my seat belt is fastened, departure is on schedule, which will be T minus 13 days and counting! 

The small print mentioned - it's likely that some forms of turbulence will be experienced during the flight, please do not be disturbed as this is a normal occurrence on a flight of this duration and importance!

I have joined the frequent flyer programme due to the nature of this journey as I expect to receive rewards on a regular basis, I am hoping these will be transferable, so that others may benefit! 

I am about to embark on a creative journey, a wild adventure, a journey of discovery where I will be a “Brave Girl” throughout 2011 and on!

JYC 2010 - Day 18

Christmas Lunch (which this year we will be having on January 1st - don't ask! ) will be turkey wrapped in bacon, millions of pigs in blankets, homemade stuffing, bread sauce & cranberry sauce, roast parsnips & potatoes, red cabbage, carrots in orange, peas, gravy, Christmas pudding (homemade) custard & cream - I don't think I've left anything out!

Baking Today

Continuing on from my cooking session earlier this week - today I completed 3 Sticky Toffee Puddings, 1 dozen Mince Pies & 3 stuffed peppers, the freezer is starting to heave, but we have had snow and supplies may start to get restricted - can't do without food, can you?

#Reverb10 - Day 18

December 18 – Try
What do you want to try next year? Is there something you wanted to try in 2010? What happened when you did / didn’t go for it?
(Author: Kaileen Elise)

Next year I want to try to focus on  doing more exercise, get the endorphine's racing around my body. This year I tried so hard but gave up, it's so easy to just give up LOL!

Twenty Christmas Questions

Twenty Christmas Questions

1. Paper or gift bags? Paper but I hate wrapping, so use a few bags here & there!
2. Real or Artificial tree? Artificial (hate the mess from real ones) this year it's a 4' one that sits on the unit.
3. When do you put up the tree? 2nd weekend in December usually.
4. When do you take the tree down? Depends, no set date, but after New Year.
5. Favourite gift received as a child? Mary Quant Red Vinyl Ankle Boots (and no I didn't keep them LOL!)
6. Hardest person to buy for? Husband.
7. Easiest person to buy for? Maggie.
8. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail for family & close friends
9. Favorite Christmas Movie? White Christmas.
10. When do you start shopping for Christmas? January in the sales LOL!
11. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes of course, waste not want not!
12. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? My DH's Turkey & Ham Pie or Turkey Curry.
13. Lights on the tree (coloured or clear?) Blue.
14. Favourite Christmas song? Haven't got one!
15. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Prefer to stay at home but have been away a few times.
16. Angel, star or ribbon on tree top? Star, has been an angel in the past.
17. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning after breakfast.
18. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? The crowds and illness.
19. What do you want for Christmas this year? Peace & quiet.
20. Traditional colors (red &green) or other colors? Silver & turquoise this year have had traditional in the past though!

JYC 2010 - Day 17

Gifting

I like to think I give gifts that are appreciated by the recipient; I try to match the gift with the person and the occasion. The gift may well be money or vouchers if I think that will be appreciated, or it may be that special something I’ve seen that will be just right for them. Some people are very difficult to buy for (men in particular) but obviously the better you know them, the easier it is. I do like to buy things off a list if one is offered. 

#Reverb10 - Day 17

December 17 – Lesson Learned
What was the best thing you learned about yourself this past year? And how will you apply that lesson going forward? (Author: Tara Weaver)

I'm not sure there's just ONE thing I've learnt during the last year as 2010 has been a voyage of great discovery!

But what I do know is: -

• That no-one can make me feel worthless without my permission
• That some things are worth fighting for and others just aren't
• That sometimes my expectations of others are just too high and I need to let go
• I have a right to be appreciated and loved for who I am, not what people want me to be
• I do not have to explain myself unless I want to!

Brave Girls Club - A Little Bird Told Me

Dear Beautiful Girl,

Most people do the best they can. Most people are doing all that they can to make their way through the world and make good decisions and to love and to feel loved.

Sometimes we expect more out of people than they could possibly give. Sometimes we think others think exactly as we think, and we expect them to react the way we would react, behave the way that we would behave and to do what we would do in any given situation...and then we are disappointed and jaded when they don't.

We bring ourselves and others so much pain when we have great expectations for others. Unconditional love, kindness and acceptance means that there are no expectations of others. We love for the sake of loving, even if we never get love in return. We are kind for the sake of being kind, even if the kindness is never returned. We accept for the sake of accepting, even if that acceptance is not returned in ways that we might have expected.

Take pressure off of yourself, dear friend, and drop all expectations that you have of others. We can never know what is going on in a person's life, in their heart. We can never know what their intentions are or what they are truly thinking or planning. Expecting, assuming and creating conditions just leads to pain for everybody.

Love for the sake of loving...it is the way to peace.

xoxo

Update

Turkey casserole was very tasty and all the better because it cost so little, leftovers for TG's lunch tomorrow whilst I'm visiting Zoe. Let's hope we don't get too much snow over the weekend as it's Pantomime time on Sunday!

A Busy Day

I'm cooking - I made Christmas Pudding for New Years Day, turkey casserole, turkey korma, turkey jalfrezi, turkey & vegetable soup, mashed potato & liver & bacon casserole, 16 turkey based meals from 1 large turkey leg from Morrisons that cost £4 + there's the soup, that's very good value in my book. I have used onions, parsnips, carrots, celery, leeks, mushrooms & 4 jars of sauces. Even so, I had all items in stock so great stuff! Freezer is now looking full, fridge is looking healthy and we've saved money.

#Reverb10 - Day 16

December 16 – Friendship
How has a friend changed you or your perspective on the world this year? Was this change gradual, or a sudden burst? (Author: Martha Mihalick)

My relationship with my friend Maggie has strengthened throughout 2010, we have both suffered many events that we would wish to forget, enjoyed many events that we love to remember and throughout we have kept our sense of humour, our time for SKYPING whilst crafting and time spent at my house whenever she gets a few days off together. We have lived, laughed & cried together and our friendship just continues to grow. Seems like we've known each other ages, instead of nearly 4 years. Wish she was spending christmas with us, but sadly she's unable to as she has family  & work commitments. Here's to a great 2011 for us both!

JYC 2010 - Day 16

Things I am grateful for: -

• My husband
• My daughter & son in law
• My grandsons
• My Mum & Dad
• My best friend Maggie
• My Fab 5 friends (you know who you are!)
• My many online companions & all my blog followers
• My craft & all that it lets me achieve
• My health & Somerset NHS (I know people moan about the NHS but it's been good to me)
• My home & all within it, especially the teenage hooligan cats AKA as Oscar & Felix
• My sense of humour - without it sometimes I think I would cry!

JYC 2010 - Day 15

Visitors

Some people are the perfect house guests. They arrive on time, bearing carefully-chosen gifts, regale you with amusing anecdotes, wash up, make their own beds, take you out for a meal and leave after breakfast the day they said they would. Others invite themselves, come late (or early), stay longer than planned, loll around, while drinking your booze, eating your food and chattering on about their lives as you clear up around them, like you were their staff, to top it all they leave their room & the bathroom looking a mess. The difference between the paragon & the pest is that with the former, your only memory of their visit is of laughter & entertainment & with the latter, you're working to erase both the physical mess & your feelings of irritation towards them for days afterwards.

So what should guests Chez Gore expect this Christmas? 

Day guests won't be expected to do much, a little offer of help may or may not be accepted depends on how stressed I'm feeling!

House guests won't be waited on hand & foot and in fact will be encouraged to help with little jobs, they will have a comfortable bed, a private bathroom and loads of good food & drink. All I would like in return is NO demands, and to be able to have some down time, not unreasonable I think

This year despite many offers we are doing something completely different, we're having Christmas Day with just the two of us at home, no stress! Brunch mid morning, something special mid afternoon and nibbles in the evening. My DH & I have never spent Christmas Day with just the two of us, we may decide we like it, on the other hand we may not wish to repeat the event. We have the kids & their offspring coming for a Roast Pork lunch on the 28th so a house full (that'll be 12), my parents arrive on the 30th for 2 nights (maybe 3!) and we're having our traditional Christmas Lunch on January 1st, with DD & family (that'll be 8) we'll be serving turkey & all the trimmings & christmas pudding & all the trimmings - YUMMY!

#Reverb10 - Day 15

December 15 – 5 Minutes
Imagine you will completely lose your memory of 2010 in five minutes. Set an alarm for five minutes and capture the things you most want to remember about 2010. (Author: Patti Digh)

Ethan & Haydn's Christenings @ St Andrew's Church
August holiday @ home with Maggie - scrapbooking the whole time whilst DH was away on a trip
Parents moving back to their roots
Crafting - any type Scrapbooking & Beading

Visiting my cousin who I'd not spoken to for 25 years following a family rift

Learning I had OSA and needed a CPAP machine which made life so much better for me

Time spent with my family & friends

#Reverb10 - Day 14

December 14 – Appreciate
What’s the one thing you have come to appreciate most in the past year? How do you express gratitude for it? (Author: Victoria Klein)
I appreciate my family, the things they do for me, the support they give me, it's a two way street - I give them back the same things in many ways, being there for them when they need me.

JYC 2010 - Day 14

Christmas Present - some thoughts!

If it was only one gift this Christmas - well I know I'm already a lucky girl as my DH has paid for my place at a Scrapbook Retreat for next year. If we're talking anything then probably good health for all my family & friends and the courage to face the challenges of 2011.

Do I do Secret Regifting? Well yes I do, I like to call it present recycling LOL! It's not that I'm ungrateful, but sometimes the gift just isn't me, I like to think that I take time to buy a gift that the person will like, but we all know time is precious and sometimes people just send anything. So I keep a box of unwanted gifts (Christmas & Birthday) and either regift them to people that will appreciate them OR I donate them to raffles or Charity Shops.

Secret Santa's - yes I've done that, only one completed so far and I was disappointed with my gifts. I am doing it again this year with another forum and the gift cost was lower so my expectations are lower but I'm going in with my eyes wide open this time. I sent 2 hand made felt brooches, embroidered with beads & embellishments and a craft apron for them to go to my recipient, I hope she likes it!

JYC 2010 - Day 13

Music @ Christmas - Christmas Carols, I love listening to them, I love singing the ones I know, I'm not especially religious but I do enjoy a GOOD Carol Service. We listen to Christmas Carols when we put up the Christmas Tree, when we open our presents on Christmas morning after breakfast and while we are having our Christmas Lunch. Our favourite music is contained on these 3 Christmas Music CD's, the bottom one in the picture is especially SPECIAL as my husband's brother was a member of the choir for that recording and has a bit of a solo in the performance! 

As far as holiday films are concerned - you have to go a long way to beat "White Christmas" ,  "Miracle on 34th Street" & "It's A Wonderful Life".

Last Day in 2010 looking after the Kiddiewinks

Ethan cooking Apple & Sultana Flapjacks & Chocolate Coconut Cakes

 Haydn playing with toys and with the cat and being his usual cute self

#Reverb10 - Day 13

December 13 – Action
When it comes to aspirations, it’s not about ideas. It’s about making ideas happen. What’s your next step? (Author: Scott Belsky)

• Focus - on what I want to achieve. e.g. gradual weight loss and reduction of BMI!
• Determination - See where I want to go and what I want, see that it is possible!
• Organization - make sure I have what I need to achieve my goal - professional support, group support, time & energy!
• Action - Be mindful, keep a food/mood diary, exit binge cycle when possible, eat less but enjoy more!

REMEMBER - Ideas without action are worthless

JYC 2010 - Day 12

Christmas Past - Whilst sorting through some photos for a project I came across this one which I thought perfect for today's prompt. My daughter opening her presents Christmas 1987, her main present was a Cabbage Patch Kid which she loved. The differences between Christmas Past and Christmas Present - we have an artificial tree, colour themed decorations and 23 years, good times then, good times now!

#Reverb10 - Day 12

December 12 – Body Integration

This year, when did you feel the most integrated with your body? Did you have a moment where there wasn’t mind and body, but simply a cohesive YOU, alive and present? (Author: Patrick Reynolds)

I'm finding this prompt difficult, I don't really know how to write about this, but I'll try. I think being part of a help group that were tackling food issues & binge eating made me much more aware that there are things going on in my head that I needed to listen to and I also needed to listen to my body as well, I thought I already did but realised about 6 weeks into the course that I wasn't focusing on the right things. I am learning to stop and think when I'm entering a Binge Cycle and have been given tools which enable me to exit the cycle earlier.

Brave Girls Daily Truth

Dear Cherished Girl,

Sometimes the place that we belong takes us by absolute surprise. Sometimes the people we are meant to be with come from out of nowhere and are nothing like what we dreamed of. Sometimes life is an entirely different color than what we had imagined, and yet, it is exactly right.

Life is wonderful, unique and even perplexing that way, isn't it? Almost always, we can stop, look around at who we are with, what we are doing and where we are and think..."wow, this is exactly where I belong."

This isn't just the truth when times are good. Usually when times are tough, even though it's hard to recognize in the moment, we are absolutely where we belong, learning what we are supposed to be learning, doing what we are supposed to be doing, with the people we are supposed to be with. And then, when it's good...it's OH SO GOOD.

Trust it. All of it.
Life is so good.
xoxo