Visit to the Dentist #2 - baby steps

Second visit to the dentist and this time, she sat in the chair and played with "Mr. Thirsty" and even smiled while she sat and talked to the dental hygienist. This is yet another moment that says, "You're baby girl is not a baby any longer." I mean, the dentist. I don't even remember going to a cleaning when I was this young. Like most people, I dreaded going and now, I actually look forward to it and even more, I love it! My hope is that she'll look forward to it too.  She loves to brush her teeth and has even flossed a few times. Something tells me (maybe it's her beautiful smile) that she'll be just fine.

Jen's Writer's Retreat: I want it! Please help me get it!

HELP!!! I just entered a chance to win a spot to The Luscious, Nurturing Get Your Writing Done While Laughing Your Butt Off and Maybe Crying a Little Too Writer’s Retreat and really, really, really want to go.

You can like my submission to win a spot to Jen's World Famous Writer's Retreat on her Savor and Serve the World blog (awesome stuff!!!):

My heart is screaming "Go and Get This For Us!!!" Thank you Jen for this glimmer of hope that I could actually be at a Writer's Retreat not next year, not "later" or "when I can afford it" but possibly in a few months from now! It's hard to describe how I am so ready for this opportunity. The chance to be able to write, laugh, learn, connect, be inspired/ing, cry, do cartwheels and let all the "stuff" that gets in the way every day just go. It would be life changing and huge for those who love me in the world. For years, I've been reading about the Writer's Retreat, imagining what it would be like to be a part of something so special, so re-energizing. Since I can remember, I have journaled my way through the good, the bad and the ugly (I'm talking monster ugly). It's how my heart processes and moves forward. For the longest time, I believed everyone did this and soon enough I discovered that not many people that I know write down their feelings and thoughts because they're afraid. But in Taos and the way I imagine it...There are others, like me, who are searching for their truth and for what they were born to do. By embracing the power of words, the power of writing and supporting one another we (writing to myself mostly) can do some serious good-changing in the world. To savor and to serve, that is my possibility.

Help me, Help YOU! You know I love to write. You know I love to celebrate whatever helps my spirit grow! Well, here's a chance to do all of those things and more!

Suds + Sponges = Good Family Fun

Yes, those are pink gloves and yes, she is washing a car. It's one of our many chores that she enjoys doing with both of us. She doesn't get bored and she loves the bubbles and the water and yes, the pink gloves. So, this time around we scrubbed all three vehicles and she worked on them all. When we finished up, she proudly shared with me what a "good job" she did helping to get them all clean.

It makes my heart so happy to spend time together like this because no matter what we're doing when you are a family you enjoy helping each other in the fun times and even while we're doing something as non-exciting like washing cars.

If I haven't told you enough today...I love you Mr. Wonderful and baby girl. I love our family and the opportunity to grow with you every day wherever we are and whatever we're doing together.

Day 8: I'm a VEGETARIAN again.

Well...It's happened again.

I say again because it has been at least 14 years since I've been down this path of plants. Back then, I had a part-time job at the library where I, similar to this time around, found a lot of disturbing information about what the food industry is doing to what we eat, and how they're hurting our environment. And holy cow, I am shocked and ready for a change.

So, with that in mind, I've turned a new leaf or really re-lifted it, and have decided to take a break from eating animals. After reading a few blogs like this, and an entertaining yet harsh truth book, I'm convinced that this is what I'm intended to do right now for the following reasons:

1 - Since I can remember, I've hated to cook with meat...The handling of it and the cutting...Sometimes cleaning (YUCK!). It makes me want to to vomit the way that my friend Heather (who was one of my college roommates) wants to puke at the thought of cleaning a toilet. And then the disposing of the packaging and any misellaneous pieces...what trash can to put it in so it doesn't attract the wrong four-legged animal to my garage door.

2 - Without even realizing it, I already go for days without eating meat. It's not the top of my list of food choices. I remember the line I'd give, "Well I only eat chicken, not beef." Come to find out and after actually EDUCATING myself, chicken is by far more disgusting in the way their handled through every step of the way to your plate. (Just thinking about it now makes me want to throw up on my laptop.)

3 - When not having to come up with a meat, a starch and a veggie for dinner, I'm actually thinking more creatively about what I want to prepare for meals, and there's a sense of consciousness (not sure if that word is spelled the way I'm thinking) that I have when coming up with what my family and I should eat. I can't just pick up fried chicken and call it dinner. Instead, I'm thinking of roasted vegetables and orzo pasta with some sauteed spinach. Honestly, that sounds so much better to me than a piece of fried chicken right now.

So, for now, I'm going for it. I'm not requiring Mr. Wonderful and the baby girl to jump on the bandwagon just yet. This is a decision that I made eight days ago for me. I have a feeling my family will get the benefits of it along the way.

Baby Girl's Growin' Up

On our way to the mall. She's got her baby, baby bottle,

baby blanket and sunglasses.

Visit to the Dr. with Baby Cindy

Went to our favorite pediatrician's office today for Baby Girl's two-year check up. She does so well and has ever since we started going there. She somehow has always known to stay still and calm when the Dr. checks her ears and when the nurses measure and weigh her. The only time it gets difficult is when they give her "pinches." That's tough every time for both of us. I'm so proud of her and how she's growing up. Thank you God for such a beautiful Baby Girl!

Nice suggestions for us to think about, consider, maybe even do...

Read 42 Practical Ways to Improve Yourself........

Before I forget...

thanks so much to all who continue to making the world, the one i live in, such a beautiful place:

-- mr. w for waking me up in the morning and making me laugh. the man is funny...not just saying that. he really, really is.
-- my mother who called me yesterday to let me know that i should stop drinking carbonated drinks. for the record, i don't eat carbonated drinks. apparently, it heightens your risk for heart failure. love my momma!
-- the fun folks at the house...especially the yearbook crew. that thing has turned into a great way to keep the connections going no matter who doesn't particpate.
-- the bug man for calming mr. w's nerves with the super treatment throughout the house and yard. as i told everyone, he can swim with sharks and wrestle snakes but when it comes to roaches, he's screams like a girl.
-- my soccer friends on and off the field. it's such a great group of people who all have a common goal (yes, i did...)
-- my be frie who in a matter of two minutes can save my world and have me laughing. she never ceases to amaze me.
-- the shop-meister for loving it as much as i do and for telling me the truth. so proud of you for so many reasons!
-- mr.w's friend gordon for the nice visit over the weekend and for keeping it real and making it real fun.
-- js for being js. love her.
-- my next door neighbors. they're out of town but doing simple things for them like checking their porch for packages just feels good. we share the block, we might as well be friends.
-- mcwyatt for staying cool no matter where we go or how much we dance.
-- my nephews from jville for visiting and keeping things so exciting.
-- the good pr people who are taking hdpr to a whole new level. it's finally here!
-- my father-in-law for all he does for us that we know about and don't know about
-- to best brother and his girl who turned 30 today for making such a beautiful baby
-- both of my friends gin-g and rowi and how peaks and valleys are here and before us but we know that we can carry through...we have to. it's way too hard to not.
-- even grateful today for the friends who don't call me back...i only hope that they're ok and that i'm thinking of them.
-- for my jenny who called me today from Shanghai! five months and she's back for a visit!!
-- for the "friends" who have purposely sought to hurt me and/or the people i love. i am thankful for you and for knowing the truth. saw a quote today..."time will prove what reason can't."
-- for Him and His grace...the kind that keeps me going no matter what comes along to trying to knock the wind out of me.
-- to me and the possibilities that are yet ahead and the choices i have yet to make.

workin' out in appreciation

back at work day and the traffic was light so i wasn't annoyed or frustrated on my way in. did get coffee on the way (always a plus) and caught up on emails (plus plus). it was quiet since a lot of people are out celebrating (extra plus) which means i had a chance to catch up on some of those to do's that get pushed back due to others' to do's.

left the office and went to work out. such an awesome session. we did cardio, pilates, yoga and then ended the session with some thai massage. who wouldn't want to work out for that? even though i haven't made major progress, it feels great to be following a program that requires me to stretch a bit further than i normally do. soccer is great but i like the pace of the sessions. calming and concentrated. plus, i don't get as many bruises and dirty from the grass.

headed to ID for a quick carry out order. ran into jk and talked for awhile. i love their hot tea. it's never the same when i make it at home. it must be environmental or something. k. (restaurant owner) gave me a necklace and bracelet as well as some tea from Taiwan. she is so sweet.

it's days like these when everything seems to be in motion and time is full of good moments that i breathe in and i breathe out the gratitude i have for everything right where it is. i'm surrounded with those who have been brought into my life so we can continue our growth and our journeys to fulfilling our passions and our dreams. i have no regrets, no incompletes, just presence and possibilities. so grateful...so thankful. amen.

what a week!

so many wonderful things happening...

first, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my dear friend, JoAnn! talked to her this morning and wished her a beautiful day. she is taking the fam to "D-I-S-N-E-Y" tomorrow. she had to spell it out on the phone this morning since the pre-schooler was in the car with her. couldn't help but love the idea of showing children the park for the first time. what an awesome thing!

monday was full of adventure and started early at the favorite breakfast place with APR buddy. there's so much going on for both of us. had a great lunch at PHO with the pres-elect of the Florida PR group. really great gal! she's got a lot of wonderful ideas for not only her crowd, but the entire community.

tuesday i went to work and had to leave a bit early to meet mr. wonderful's dad at blue lake. it ended up being a bust since he didn't like the place. we saw a lot of properties and finally settled on one that mr. wonderful was going to love. we were there for, what seemed like, several hours.

wednesday we made an offer on the place we saw the night before that was not at all on my radar because of the asking price.

thursday we heard back from the sellers with their counter. so, we countered. had a meal over at ID that was a bit tense due to our fluctuating state of mind.

friday we finalized the offer and settled on a selling price. in between it all, i had a great sushi lunch with some of the most hilarious people i know. we also got to celebrate with friends at creative girl and super husbands abode. it was a great evening of fun.

all this to show how quickly things happen for people in the world of real estate. as i mentioned in the rundown, the house we are hoping to make ours wasn't even on my radar due to the original asking price. now, we're going through the process and really learning so much. mr. wonderful's dad was a fantastic help and still is. we're so thankful to have him as we plug along this crazy road of home ownership.