People let me tell ya 'bout my best friend...

It's March 29th!

 Happy 37th Birthday to my SWEET sister, Sarah!

A simple kind of life...

 

Do you want to live a simpler life? A life that is less hectic, less stressful, more enjoyable and much happier? Well, here's a list of 20 ways to get you started!

1.       Live beneath your means.

2.       Stop buying things. (Amazing what you DON’T need if you just stay out of Target!)

3.       Get up earlier—give yourself time to ‘ease’ into the day…never rush around.

4.       Surround yourself with good (kind, nice, thoughtful, loving) people.

5.       Say goodbye to any person in your life who doesn't fit that profile.

6.    Find a job you love. You'll be astounded at how lucky you get when you work hard!

7.    Cook and eat and drink coffee at home.

8.       Seek out the silver linings in EVERY situation!
9.      Go for a walk. Look around you! Stop and smell the roses!

10.   Maintain your car and keep a clean, organized house.

11.   Get rid of ‘stuff’ constantly! Books, kitchen items, clothes...clutter!

12.   Realize you will never please everyone...so just stop trying.

13.   Be your real self—the same person with everyone. (This one feels soooo good!)

14.   Set your bank account up for auto payments on all your bills. (This will change your life!)

15.  Stop watching the news. (Dare I say turn off the TV?)

16.   Smile more. Breathe more. Laugh more too!

17.   Stop doing things you hate...COMPLETELY stop complaining!

18.   Stay out of other people’s drama (and don’t create any of your own.)

19.   Talk and really communicate. Listen with your eyes.

20.   Relax. Enjoy life.

 

50 things I LOVE about being (almost) 50

1.       I know who I am

2.       I know what I like

3.       I know how to say NO

4.       I am SO grateful for my health

5.       I know how VERY little I need to be happy

6.       I have money in the bank

7.       I have an updated will and have communicated all of my intentions

8.       I’ve narrowed down my Christmas ornaments to three very small and highly organized boxes

9.       I am content and even HAPPY with the size of my breasts, the smile lines and even the junk in the trunk.

10.   Nothing much gets me down. I'm very good at finding the silver linings..

11.   I have found the love of my life

12.   I have two grown, successful children who are healthy and independent (and AWESOME!)

13.   Having overcome a few hardships, I know that there's not much I can't do and/or get through.  I am a very strong woman

14.   I’m proud of myself and my accomplishments and LOVE where I am at this point of life

15.   I am in the job I love, want and that I am ABSOLUTELY gifted to be in!

16.   I know how to manage my weight (for the most part) yet allow myself to enjoy a (high carb/fattening/non-paleo) treat every once in a while

17.   I have plenty of shoes, bras, jeans and dresses...less is more in EVERY way!

18.   I have an amazingly simple and highly enjoyable life.

19.   I don’t feel guilty about anything. Guilt is practically silly.

20.   I have learned to live in the moment—REALLY! Enjoying each minute of each day!

21.   I know I make a difference in a lot of people’s lives.

22.   I am ok with the fact that I tear up nearly every single day and NEVER apologize for that.

23.   I am so grateful to be able to feel GOOD—mentally, emotionally and physically!

24.   I have friends who I’ve LIVED life with for nearly 40 years now…I KNOW and LOVE them.  And vice-versa.

25.   I’ve not just SEEN much of Europe—I’ve EXPERIENCED most of it! The food, the sights, the smells, the people!

26.   I can navigate my way around New York City with only an occasional glance at a map! (Getting lost is the best part—right?!)

27.   I enjoy looking through old photo albums as much as I enjoy looking at travel brochures. I LOVE the past I’ve had and OH am I looking forward to the future.

28.   I’d rather have you over for dinner than go to a fancy restaurant.

29.   I LOVE having EVERYONE over for Thanksgiving and Christmas and Birthdays and for no reason at all!

30.   I have ZERO debt. Zero

31.  I laugh every single day.

32.       I know that I am terminal. (So are you.) I’m not ‘waiting’ for anything anymore.

33.       I turn off movies in the middle if I’m not enjoying it. No time to waste anymore.

34.       I am not afraid of anything. Nope, nothing.

35.       I don’t have any miserable people in my life anymore.

36.       I don’t try to make ANYBODY happy anymore.

37.       I absolutely—without a doubt—know that I don’t hold up the world.

38.       I don’t cry in my job reviews anymore! I take criticism very openly now…

39.       I know how to take a compliment now too!

40.   I try new things all the time!

41.   I am always curious about the future understanding that it’s not guaranteed!

42. I am always aware of the log in my own eye…and avoid pointing out specs in others’ eyes.

43. I breathe easily. I relax a lot. I smile pretty much constantly.

44. I am grateful and appreciative.

45. I am kind whenever possible. (it is always possible by the way…)

46. I choose to be with friends as often as possible

47. I choose to be alone a lot (and love it!)

48. I choose to be with my best friend every day from this day forward.

49.I know that I teach people how to treat me…and I am treated very well these days.

50. I know that 50 is the old age of youth--however, it's definitely the youth of old age!

I have never (EVER!) been healthier, happier or more excited about the future!
Hooray for (almost) FIFTY!

It's March 26th!

Happy 50th, Tennesee...Washington...Stuffed Bell Peppers...

you know who you are!

Hope it's a magnificent day!

It's March 13th

Happy 50TH Birthday to my best friend and favorite person on earth, Dave.

Look who's turning 50 this year!