Taking Time for Myself

You know, this blog is something I do because I want to (sometimes). I don't always want to write this - every single day. As you can see, my thoughts and emotions get so overwhelming that I have let this get away from me. I get too immersed in my every day responsibilities and don't allow myself the 15 minutes that it takes to write this for all of you. Don't get me wrong, I like writing. I love it. I feel as though I need to make sure that this is uplifting for all of you. It is about making a decision to love every day. I apologize that I haven't been able to keep up with it all the time for you. I realize that it can be very difficult to do every single day. It's a big commitment.  But don't be afraid.  I'm here for you.  The readers are here for you.  Share this with others so that they all can be here for you too.

So..  About my day...  About what I did to remind myself of the responsibility of loving every day...

I got to sleep in and spend some time alone today.  I went window shopping at WalMart and Target and also stopped at Blick to get a couple of new paint colors.  I painted a little too when I got home.  It was really great to get out and hang out by myself with nowhere specific to go or a specific time to be there.  Now, I'm looking at the clock and realizing that I didn't do anything productive around the apartment but reminding myself that it's okay - even good - to have a day of nothing every once in a while.

My responsibilities for the day were ignored and now have a day crammed with some responsibilites tomorrow. Laundry, getting dog food, getting easy dinners, cleaning dishes, cleaning out the bird cages and vacuuming. Hopefully, Mike will help me and I need to be comfortable with asking for help. That's my goal tomorrow along with spending 15 minutes doing something that I want to do for myself. I may stop at Payless and get a pair of shoes. Or I'll paint. Or if it's beautiful again, I'm going for a short walk with my camera.

What did you do today?  Did you get to spend a whole day doing nothing or was your day filled up with chores and other responsibilities?  If you did have to do responsible things today, did you spend at least 15 minutes of your day doing something just for you because you wanted to? 

One of the things that's getting easier for me to do is doing something that I want to do; something for me; something that I really want to do.  The most difficult parts are feeling okay with doing these things and reminding myself that I don't have to justify how I feel.  I have a right to feel like doing something - or nothing - and there isn't necessarily a reason. 

I have a homework assignment for those of you who have a similar problem as I do.  Take 15 minutes out of your day tomorrow and do something that you want to do.  Read, write, draw, paint, drive around town, stop at the mall, get a vanilla shake from Portillo's (which I almost did today), go for a walk, close your eyes, play with a child - with permission.  I don't care what you do - do something for you!  Then get back to your responsibilities but remember why you stopped in the first place.  Loving every day is what it's all about.  Without love, there is no life.

Mom, This is for You!

You know...  Mom's are great.  They're made to give you love, guidance, support, discipline and even a kick in the ass sometimes.

I've gotten really behind on household cleaning and have gotten to the point where nobody is allowed inside because I am so embarrassed.

Today, my mom was wonderful!  She came over to my apartment with paper towels and trash bags in hand and spent 3 hours with me cleaning the main areas of my apartment.  All the dishes are clean, the floor is vacuumed, the bathroom completely scrubbed clean.  We even got the Spic & Span and washed the baseboards. 

Of course, there are still other things that need to be done but I will have to do most of that with my husband since it's mostly organizational.

So for today, a tribute to my mom.  The best mother anyone could ever ask for.

Next to a fancy car outside Houlihan's - for my birthday dinner 2010

At PF Chang's restaurant

October 2009?  At IHOP - Wow, we eat out a lot!

Looking so cute!

In Lake Geneva Wisconsin - she's on a boat!

Once again, I LOVE my mom!!!

Staying Positive

I'm really struggling with writing this today. I am so sorry. Since I struggle the most with staying positive, I decided that it was a good idea to make my next post about it.

I started the day trying to be positive. I woke up, took a shower, did a little something with my hair, put on some makeup and wear something that's not completly sloppy.


Then I got to work, ate breakfast, chatted with a friend and found this on my desk when I got there.

Cute, right?! She also baked a cake! Well, technically, her daughter baked it for her but the cake & chocolate frosting was delicious!












Throughout the day I found myself touching my new pendant. Mike agreed that I could get it to help with my inspiration with my locket of loved ones and I felt great starting the day off with something tangible.

I'm dreaming up a new tattoo design... I'll be sketching it soon. Maybe tomorrow, I'll post the things I've been working on.

I hope you all have a wonderful day. It is so important to stay positive in your day and it's a really great thing for me to have the tangible item to remind me of the direction I want to go.