What is in a word...

Words can be great gifts to someone or they can be great destroyers...

Just think for a moment, when you were younger your parents use to tell you, "if you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all"

As adults, we often don't think that rule still applies. Some people don't understand the power in the words they speak or write. You have a powerful tool and you shouldn't abuse or misuse it!

What can words do?
  * uplift
  * surprise
  * please
  * love
  * unite
  * divide
  * hurt
  * abuse
  * destroy
  * break

I mentioned briefly on my facebook of my younger sister being bullied on her facebook. When I was younger we never had bullying quite like that. Of course it's always been out there but I could not believe what this kid was saying to my sister, with no regard to her feelings or the fact that he was blasting this for all of the facebook world to see. What made him say such hurtful things? Does he understand what affect his words have on other people? Why did he choose to target my sister?

I'm not going to be able to understand this kid or why he chose those words, they were mean and hateful. I was proud of my sister for sticking up for herself the way she did... some of us are not so lucky to take that stance. Some think the only way to get rid of this kind of torment is to end their life...

So please... next time you think you might lash out at someone whether it's by e-mail, facebook, telephone or in person just think for a minute before you speak. Because who knows what your next set of words could lead to whether you talking to an employee, friend, someone you don't like or even a family member. Family, friends and loved ones can only take so much.

If you feel like putting someone down or have hateful words toward them, just stop and think first of what your actions may do to that person.

Instead, try something new... put your efforts into making someone happy. It may not be the person your words are intended to, but doing something nice for someone may help your attitude later on and think of what you may say to someone later.

Labels don't define me...

As I read my mom's blog, I realized I am a lot like her in more ways than I thought. I used to shrug it off when people said I look just like her... at family reunions I always get "ahhh, you're Carol's daughter, I'd know you anywhere". It used to embarrass me, but your know, she's not all that bad and if I was going to be compared to someone, I'm glad it's her.

Back to my point though... as I read one of her latest posts about hand-me-down clothes, I realized "labels don't define me" either. I've never been one to run to the closest mall and get the "must-have" designer shirt or shoes or purse. In fact, I really do not like malls at all (I get that from my dad). Now, I am NOT like her when it comes to hand me downs, they don't make a whole new wardrobe for me... but give me Target or Kohls any day of the week and I'll be happy as can be.

Labels are not important; some people get lost when it comes to the important things in life. Some may think they cannot function without the best of the best, but that's just not true! I function perfectly fine without a Louis Vuitton purse or a Jimmy Choo shoes or the next Vera Wang line or even the next hot car...

Maybe you can say I'm just not stylish enough or that I don't know what I'm talking about since I'm not in the fashion world. However, I'm happy where I am and I'd much rather spend my time, efforts and money on much better things, like:
   * traveling to visit family and friends
   * helping those less fortunate than myself
   * putting food on the table for my family
   * going to the movies
   * starting my own business ventures!

How do I define myself... well:
   * I am a wife, daughter and sister
   * I am an athlete
   * I am creative and crafty
   * I have a good heart
   * I am an entrepreneur
   * I am a home owner
   * I am a great friend
   * I AM ME!



I'll say it again for all to know ... Labels don't define ME!

Change ... just around the corner!

 For my New Years I stated this year is going to be one for some type of change....

Don't get me wrong, I am very grateful for my job and the fact that I was able to keep it during our recession, it was a great blessing. But I do believe it is time for me to move on. A lot of things have changed in house and I've never been a fan of "corporate world", too many people with too many agendas that have nothing to do with why we are there.

I also feel like it's turning me into a person and I do not want to be, I dislike the way I act and feel towards people there, I'm not that type of person and I know longer want to be in that environment. This needs to be done for me, before I go totally crazy and resent myself for staying at a place that makes me miserable

SO - with that being said, I've got one more thing - I AM SCARED AS NOTHING ELSE!

I can't just up and quit my job, that's just crazy talk! We need the money, we need to pay the mortgage each month, we need to make sure our bills are paid on time. How can I just up and leave without a back up plan... I'm crazy, right!? Right.......

HOWEVER, talk time is over ... It's time for A*C*T*I*O*N.

Wish me luck as I venture into something new this year, it's way past time.

Trapped in my own bed...

Well... Tonight is the first day of the year when it will reach down in the teens sometime in the night. Typically we let our puppy stay outside through the night, with his think fur and all he was made for this weather! However, we decided 14 degrees was just too cold for him... So tonight's the first night in months he will be sleeping inside with us, an adventure for sure!

We put a gate up in our bathroom (tho he can knock it down in one jump he doesn't even try, one of the few things embedded in him), and then turned off all the lights so he knew it was time for bed. Well, Josh and I didn't move for about 20 min straight... We knew if the puppy saw us move he'd want to come join in too, why should he be trapped!? We put up with the whining, ignoring it as best we could while not tossing and turning in the bed, hardly moving at all.... It is now almost 2 hours later and Josh is fast asleep and has been for awhile and amazingly enough, Stryder is too!! Mission accomplished (so far) but with all the worry of making sure I didn't move and listening to the puppy whine for so long, now I can't go to sleep! At least 2 out of 3 getting sleep isn't bad... Maybe tomorrow will be better!

Welcome 2012 ... what will you bring us this year?!

Well, a new year is here... And I've got a feeling it's going to be a great one and I'm excited what this year has to offer.

I've been trying to think of some good resolutions for this year... There's the always "work out more, get healthy, etc..." That's just a given, I know that's what I need to do, but I've got some other things in mind.

   * Focus on my business and get it started up
   * Create some type of major change in my life (possibly a new job!)
   * Save and travel somewhere, possibly (hopefully) out of the country
   * Start volunteering somewhere
   * Attend a few musicals and/or theater performances
   * Set up our family's 72 hour kits and emergency prepardness area for our hosue

I've got a feeling there's going to be some type of big change this year and I'm ready for it! I'm looking forward to another year of being married to my wonderful husband and what ever life has in stored for us.

I welcome you 2012 with open arms!