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.

Better Late Than Never

Sorry this post is a bit late for today.  I didn't get a chance to take my photos until it was time for bed & I really needed to get some sleep.

There's a new friend that will be joining me at work.  Marcus, the Betta fish.  I got him & his tank all set up at home, trying to see how he'll adjust and then when I go into work on Tuesday, I'll get him set up and in a permanent position.

Marcus' 5 gallon aquarium home

Marcus
A Latin name that means "war like"
(according to BabyNames.com)

His tail

When I attended Millikin University, I got two goldfish and kept them on my desk.  They helped keep me calm and to focus so I think he'll be really good for me at work.  That's the plan anyway.  Marcus, the Reservations Fish!

The Men in my Life

Today, I'd like to take some time & show you the men in my life.

My loving husband, Michael.  We've been married for more than 4 years and knew within a month that we wanted to be together forever.  We moved in together after being in a relationship for just a few months and have experienced a lot of uphill battles together.  There has been a lot of growing up that we've done together.

Mike helps me with the daily chores.

I love it when he's happy with life.  He enjoys playing video games and drinking beer but always loves to watch movies with me.

Enjoying a Miller!

He even helps cook dinner sometime!  :)

We love Shells & Cheese with broccoli - YUM!

The other man in my life is my pup!  Chewy is a 3 year old basset hound mix.  We're pretty sure he's mixed with a german shepherd.




He's always so curious!

I love the men in my life.  They bring me stress but also a lot of joy & love.

I hope that you are able to experience the amazing amount of love in the little things the guys in your life.  One of my friends was just reminded of the greatness in the little things that her husband does for her.  The following was her Facebook status recently and is reprinted with her permission.

"Has the best husband ever... he is picking up subway for me and I forgot to write olives down but he remembered. It is the little things that matter"

Enjoy!!

Welcome!



This is Anna

This is my first attempt at a daily blog.  My goal is to bring you something funny, beautiful or cute to make you smile every day.  The first time I thought about making the decision to love every day was when I was preparing my wedding vows. 

One of the phrases that I had specifically selected was, "Nothing is easier than saying words and nothing harder than living them day after day. What you promise today must be renewed and redecided tomorrow. At the end of this ceremony you will legally be man and wife but you still must decide each day that stretches out before you that you want to be married." 

To me, having a successful marriage filled with love & support is to make a decision each day to love my husband.  I try to find at least one thing every day to love about him and the more I have focused on doing these two things, the happier I am in my marriage.

I am extending this to find something to love about every day & would like to share my findings with you.

I hope this finds you well and brings a smile to your day.  Let me know what you think & don't forget to share this with your friends because everybody needs something to smile about!

This is Chewy

Chewy is so photogenic!