The key to getting EVERYTHING done...

I got up at 3:30 this morning and went through emails. I showered, dressed and clocked in at work before 5:30am. I worked a full 8 1/2 hours, taking only 8 minutes to sit down and eat a piece of (delicious) chicken.
I got off work, came home and started laundry. I unloaded the dishwasher, watered the plants and started dinner. Once load #2 was in the washer, I started to dust this amazingly dusty house. And I couldn't stop.
I just went out to get the mail (depositing bills and a birthday card in the 'outgoing' box), swept the patio and front steps, checked on dinner, folded load #1 and put load #2 in the dryer.
And then I realized I had not sat down for more than 8 minutes in over 14 hours.
That's the key, you know.
It's amazing how productive you can be if you just keep going...
Getting back up now. That second load is calling me from the dryer...

It's April 23rd

I love this man.

The last month in my 40s...

One month from today, I will be 50 years old.
I feel 38. Well, most of the time.
I am exactly where I want to be.
I could have never EVER dreamed I would be SO happy at age 50.
Lucky me.
I feel good.
And, I am welcoming the big 5-

0!

Twenty five things I love about my lover!

1. He is SO nice to me!

2. He is so nice to EVERYONE!

3. He is very happy with coffee from Circle K

4. He drives a (paid for) five year old Toyota

5. He speaks baseball even better than I do

6. He has never once teased me or called me a name

7. He helps others feel good EVERY day

8. He loves his kids. He loves kids!

9. We were born in the same year and graduated high school together!

10. He’s an AVID reader

11. He likes to kiss me a lot

12. He has a memory like no other!

13. He cooks like a great chef...often!

14. He is extremely organized.

15. He loves his family!

16. He keeps himself in very good shape and is SO clean!

17. He loves me so much…I feel it every day

18. I love him so much...he still makes my heart beat every time I see him!

19. He loves to travel!

20. He does not like dogs!

21. He makes me laugh CONSTANTLY. And he thinks I'm funny!

22. He is amazingly affectionate.

23. He is HAPPY and loves life!

24. He tells me I am beautiful every single day.

25. We have the SAME ideas about the future. 

And we love that we get to live it together. 

 

Too busy?...or just too lazy?

The older I get, the more I understand what "busy" means. I've worked full time most of my life, raised a family, volunteered in ministry, been involved in the community...cleaned my own home, did laundry, made dinner every night...and even went to college for 17 years.
Interestingly, I don't think I've ever considered myself "busy." I have a lot of interests and keep active and travel as much as I can...
but I'd never tell you I'm too busy to see you. 
If I want to see you, believe me, I will.
Busyness is the excuse we use for not creating the life we want. It's an acceptable form of distraction and self-abuse. You are NOT too busy to do ANYTHING that you really want to do.

And, I know this for sure...if you want to see me...you'll make the time to do so. If you don't...well, you'll tell me you're busy. Even if that's sitting watching TV...and waiting for life to happen!
Lately I've had a few people write me through Facebook and say, "I'd love to get together with you!" or "Let's meet and catch up!"
I ALWAYS write back--immediately--, "Great! How about this Tuesday? Breakfast, lunch, coffee, ice cream? You name it!"
Nine times out of 10 the person will write back, "Oh, I'm busy on Tuesday. But I'll give you a call!"
Really? All day? I'll meet you at 7 am or 7 pm! I'll meet you in YOUR neighborhood. Nope. That's not it.
Guess what? They don't really want to get together. They don't REALLY want to do anything but complain about being busy. It's just something we say these days, isn't it? Seriously, I don't really ever feel busy! Productive? yes! Busy? No!

Today I had lunch with my mother and father in law and my parents. I made the plan a couple of weeks ago via email...'we're meeting at this time at this place'...and, amazingly...we all were able to be together for a very enjoyable birthday lunch.
I'm not sure if you agree, but it seems to me, those who are always "busy" really do a whole lot of nothing. Those who have a lot to do seem to get the most done. And don't complain about it.

I'm not too busy. I work five days a week, but I'm always off by 3pm. And I'm off two full days every week. I get everything done that I need to get done.
Including seeing every single person I really want to see.

You're never too busy to do what you really want to do.
Stop saying you're busy and get busy living life!

"Beware the barrenness of a busy life..." Socrates

Say Cheese!

I have pretty much had a camera in my hand constantly since 1976.

This is EXACTLY the one I had in seventh grade.

Bicentennial sticker and all...

I love taking pictures...telling stories...making memories.

Shiny Happy People!

Tattoomuch pain. Tattoomuch trouble. Tattootoolong...

February 2005

I was proud to show it off...for about six months...

Then...I hated it and paid DEARLY to begin removal procedures.

July 2012 (Yes...those are blisters from the laser treatment.)

Today...after treatment #21--three years and six months later...

I am not giving up. Someday...it will be but just a memory.
I hope.

EIGHT years with Montage

Today is my EIGHTH Anniversary at Montage Laguna Beach...
OH how much I have experienced and OH how life has changed in those very long years!

There's no doubt that working at Montage helped bring me back to life...
It certainly has helped give me MANY amazing reasons to live.

Always Giggling...