i got to work this morning and thought, i should be home today. the weekend was so full of activity i could barely breathe before the next thing.
so, as far as the best of for each day, below is an attempt to try and encompass it all:
friday: amy lyn arriving :-) going shopping with her, making a cheese tray and getting a new green bag
saturday: hearing the quote -- Every baby born has the capacity to change the world. it gave me goose bumps. briefly riding around on a green motorcycle...
sunday: having coffee with ted, sr., luis wearing green to coordinate with my outfit
monday: hoping that it will be a NAP!
Monday, September 18, 2006
Friday, September 15, 2006
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Victory for Voodoo
Played two great soccer games last night. Won both but the most important win was with the Voodoo Posse! I have missed kicking the ball around for the last three weeks. So glad the rain stayed away long enough...There were a couple of light showers throughout the night. The last time we played the red team, the field felt like a swamp. Just for laughs, I actually found a picture of Swamp Soccer. To another great season!
best thing of the day: playing soccer
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
and for the best
monday: the possibility of brainstorming with imagineers and my meeting with andreatuesday: remembering trish with ted
i was reminded tonight how important it is to not be afraid. also, i was reminded how some people just understand. they've been given this amazing gift to see a situation and instead of lashing out, they know how to embrace what is really happening and carry it forward instead of letting it drop into a place of ugliness.
“Do not be afraid for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name. You are mine.
When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up;
The flames will not consume you.For I am the Lord, your God,The holy One of Israel, your Savior”(Isaiah 43:1-4)
aha!
Yes! I started reading a new book that I want to finish before giving the DragonFLY report on it. So far, I am very impressed.
Here's an excerpt...Title to come later.
THE PURPOSE OF FRIENDSHIP
-- To give our heart a place to rest.
-- To support the unfolding story of our life.
-- To challenge us to GROW and become our BEST.
-- To give us a place to play.
If I had money to buy a billboard, I would want to highlight the following to people:
Confidants listen without judgement!
Treat our friends' confidences with respect if we want trust to grow.
Here's an excerpt...Title to come later.
THE PURPOSE OF FRIENDSHIP
-- To give our heart a place to rest.
-- To support the unfolding story of our life.
-- To challenge us to GROW and become our BEST.
-- To give us a place to play.
If I had money to buy a billboard, I would want to highlight the following to people:
Confidants listen without judgement!
Treat our friends' confidences with respect if we want trust to grow.
Monday, September 11, 2006
Sunday, September 10, 2006
these are days
happy birthday catherine!
i'm not only the president of cathy's fan club, i'm also a member.
***
a TRUE FRIEND challenges us to be REAL with ourselves and with them. one minute i'm ready to have a nice dinner with friends and the next minute, i am potentially on my way out of town to an exotic place for the weekend. such was my weekend...never quite knowing where i'd end up. i do believe it all worked out the way it was suppose to. i love my friends...the real ones. the ones that share, listen, understand, see, recognize and are themselves.
on friday, which i just started typing accidentally as frienday, i had an opportunity to help support one of my best during a difficult time...i was willing to go and do whatever. it ended up that she just needed my availability for comfort which was fine because she's got bigger fish to fry in the grand scheme of things. but then, the evening opened up for another way to connect with a friend who i've been away from for way too long. no excuses, i was going to see her. so i did. the visit ended up being the cherry on top of an exhausting but absolutely wonderful week. she and i talked about so many things that i rarely get to talk about with anyone. the sign of a great friendship is the inspired conversation that comes along during your time together. because of this experience, i shall return along with mr. wonderful so that she and i can resume the conversation while the guys take on the little people. thank you for welcoming me, embracing me and challenging me to think about what's important.
saturday, mr. wonderful and i did our breakfast thing. i'm thinking about breaking the law and marrying a blueberry pancake. as strange as that sounds, i just love 'em. if they weren't so starchy and topped with evilness, i'd have one every day. instead, i mind the thought...too much of a good thing...i can't even remember but you know how it goes. we prepared the koos for our departure later that afternoon. we've been traveling with kitties, litter box and insulin shots but this time, i put my foot down and said, "no! we travel with people only today!" cats are way too stressed in a car and i had arranged with catlover friend, to take care of them for the whole 27 hours we were planning to be away. got to the big house by dinner and enjoyed family time and football in the background. met up with joe at square one which was so dead. i remember when that place was packed wall to wall. what happened? despite the lack of people, we had a swell time.
sunday morning breakfast is key...where to go? i basically turned right out of the big house neighborhood and trusted that i'd find something yummy. sure enough...i did. they had great coffee, great food and most importantly, a display of the most beautiful cakes you ever did see. jackpot! along with the coffee and cake, was a casserole of conversation that continues to shed light on the crazies and all of the corruption in the cracker box. i can't complain. life is really good. after breakfast, there was a flurry of activities which included a quick shopping trip and a joint push out the door of all the males. i was left by my lonesome which was the plan all along. i did what any woman in need of some relaxation would do, i soaked. i was in the tub almost an entire afternoon. since i finished my other book on the car ride, i started reading the new one and got about halfway through it while i sat in the tub. it was absolutely perfect. to round it all off, i traveled down and got myself some phad thai noodles. excellent. it rained. i didn't care. jets flew over the house and made the earth shake. i didn't care. the jags beat the cowboys. i didn't care. the only care i had was to relax, read my book or not read my book and thoroughly revel in the beauty of allowing myself to just be. i highly recommend it.
a few best things of the day -
friday: pumpkin pie with cool whip and the love it was served with
saturday: dancing with mr. wonderful
sunday: where do i begin? solitude.
Friday, September 08, 2006
yours
Do not let your fire go out, spark by irreplaceable spark, in the hopeless swamps of the approximate, the not-quite, the not-yet, the not-at-all. Do not let the hero in your soul perish, in lonely frustration for the life you deserved, but have never been able to reach. Check your road and the nature of your battle. The world you desired can be won. It exists, it is real, it is possible, it is yours.~ Ayn Rand
Thursday, September 07, 2006
tiara president and you're fantastic
I AM STILL LEARNING.
~ Michelangelo
started the day at first watch with three cups of joe (woohoo) and some fancy oatmeal. always tastes better when someone else makes it. then, k and i left for jacksonville. before we knew it, we were conference calling and discussing upcoming strategies of how to message this and how to coordinate that. so amazing what you can get done while driving from meeting to meeting. the actual destination, aka meeting, was "fantastic." got to see my pal get her new tiara as the president of all of north florida pr. she was adorable as she stood proudly behind a podium that was about the same height as her. she certainly handled the whole process with total poise and good humor -- my favorite combo in any public speaking venue. just fyi for y'all -- pr folk can be pretty persnickety about how you communicate..they're the experts ya know. table talk was good...talked to a former grocery store chain corporate communication senior director about life after a company she moved 2,000 miles to work for (with husband and children in tow) goes bankrupt. enjoyed a presentation about the importance of ethics, diversity and leadership from the current national pres. who is cooler than cool. met three flagler seniors getting ready to graduate in december. hugged wendy who is heading up the sunshine state and kicking some big ones publicizing one of the chicken soup for the soul guys newest project. stopped by mr. j's house but found it empty. he was still out and about with the "old farts" on the golf course. to wrap the meeting portion of this endless word spicket, the whole experience was full of good connections and an opportnity to see how things are done elsewhere. the drive was a bit rocky back to o-town because of the rain and i-4 traffic (one of my dislikes as you may recall). had to get back in the office to keep images in check. k goes back without me...where am i? at home? at the nail shop (that was the plan if i would've been told to go)? nope! instead, i grabbed the umbrella and walked from the parking garage after sitting in bumper to bumper traffic while cats and dogs fell from the sky. coincidentally, king j opened the door for me. "perfect," i thought. he needs to see my utter devotion to coming back from a four hour drive, to spend the last hour and a half in the office to deal with a total of two hours of traffic to and from the office. it totally makes sense on planet insane! just keep smiling at him. laugh at the funny joke even though your umbrella has made a huge water stain on the "only for special days" green jacket. back at the office - i perused the email which ended up being a good thing. chatted it up with my office neighbor and ate the last two of my favorite teeny dessert bars that were left over from yesterday's meeting. sugar always throws me into optimism. thank goodness! it made the thought of sitting in traffic again somewhat bearable. talked to sweet mother of four kids under six who doesn't believe in television, on the ride home...dinner is on for tomorrow night. told her how much she meant to trish and got a bit teary-eyed. the day i called her to give the sad news, i ended up crying over the phone to her husband about it. poor guy. i don't think he understood a word i said. men don't really speak female cry-anese. made it home in nowhere near record time and made a point to just read through catalogs and dream about getting new lamps for fifteen minutes that felt like seconds...unwinding...feeling social again...changing my outfit...ready to go back out to the big bad world of crowded roads and bad drivers. met the crew at i.d. for the thursday chinese food eating contest. mr. wonderful (with big mouth) won as he scarfed all of my lo mein. yes, he did order but as usual, he liked what i ordered better. heard the latest about some crazies that drive people, good and intelligent people, to question the point of using rational thought when it doesn't seem to work in certain environments with certain unreasonable indivduals. everyone is hanging in there which makes my heart smile. they got they're crazy shot that's good until at least the end of the year. that's where i went wrong. anyways, i ended the evening with a call from the be-fri. love that girl. she had lots of great things to share. hope you got the dog in...when i get a dog, i am going to send it to your house too. life is good, really good. the only reason it's less than perfect tonight is because the dolphins lost to the steelers. i promised mr wonderful a.k.a. #1 dolphins fan, that miami would bring it but somehow they fell short. my apologies to mr. wonderful. dragonfly doesn't know american football and also does not own a crystal ball.
from left field -- happy birthday m.r., wherever you are!
best thing of the day: blueberry tootsie pops
~ Michelangelo
started the day at first watch with three cups of joe (woohoo) and some fancy oatmeal. always tastes better when someone else makes it. then, k and i left for jacksonville. before we knew it, we were conference calling and discussing upcoming strategies of how to message this and how to coordinate that. so amazing what you can get done while driving from meeting to meeting. the actual destination, aka meeting, was "fantastic." got to see my pal get her new tiara as the president of all of north florida pr. she was adorable as she stood proudly behind a podium that was about the same height as her. she certainly handled the whole process with total poise and good humor -- my favorite combo in any public speaking venue. just fyi for y'all -- pr folk can be pretty persnickety about how you communicate..they're the experts ya know. table talk was good...talked to a former grocery store chain corporate communication senior director about life after a company she moved 2,000 miles to work for (with husband and children in tow) goes bankrupt. enjoyed a presentation about the importance of ethics, diversity and leadership from the current national pres. who is cooler than cool. met three flagler seniors getting ready to graduate in december. hugged wendy who is heading up the sunshine state and kicking some big ones publicizing one of the chicken soup for the soul guys newest project. stopped by mr. j's house but found it empty. he was still out and about with the "old farts" on the golf course. to wrap the meeting portion of this endless word spicket, the whole experience was full of good connections and an opportnity to see how things are done elsewhere. the drive was a bit rocky back to o-town because of the rain and i-4 traffic (one of my dislikes as you may recall). had to get back in the office to keep images in check. k goes back without me...where am i? at home? at the nail shop (that was the plan if i would've been told to go)? nope! instead, i grabbed the umbrella and walked from the parking garage after sitting in bumper to bumper traffic while cats and dogs fell from the sky. coincidentally, king j opened the door for me. "perfect," i thought. he needs to see my utter devotion to coming back from a four hour drive, to spend the last hour and a half in the office to deal with a total of two hours of traffic to and from the office. it totally makes sense on planet insane! just keep smiling at him. laugh at the funny joke even though your umbrella has made a huge water stain on the "only for special days" green jacket. back at the office - i perused the email which ended up being a good thing. chatted it up with my office neighbor and ate the last two of my favorite teeny dessert bars that were left over from yesterday's meeting. sugar always throws me into optimism. thank goodness! it made the thought of sitting in traffic again somewhat bearable. talked to sweet mother of four kids under six who doesn't believe in television, on the ride home...dinner is on for tomorrow night. told her how much she meant to trish and got a bit teary-eyed. the day i called her to give the sad news, i ended up crying over the phone to her husband about it. poor guy. i don't think he understood a word i said. men don't really speak female cry-anese. made it home in nowhere near record time and made a point to just read through catalogs and dream about getting new lamps for fifteen minutes that felt like seconds...unwinding...feeling social again...changing my outfit...ready to go back out to the big bad world of crowded roads and bad drivers. met the crew at i.d. for the thursday chinese food eating contest. mr. wonderful (with big mouth) won as he scarfed all of my lo mein. yes, he did order but as usual, he liked what i ordered better. heard the latest about some crazies that drive people, good and intelligent people, to question the point of using rational thought when it doesn't seem to work in certain environments with certain unreasonable indivduals. everyone is hanging in there which makes my heart smile. they got they're crazy shot that's good until at least the end of the year. that's where i went wrong. anyways, i ended the evening with a call from the be-fri. love that girl. she had lots of great things to share. hope you got the dog in...when i get a dog, i am going to send it to your house too. life is good, really good. the only reason it's less than perfect tonight is because the dolphins lost to the steelers. i promised mr wonderful a.k.a. #1 dolphins fan, that miami would bring it but somehow they fell short. my apologies to mr. wonderful. dragonfly doesn't know american football and also does not own a crystal ball.
from left field -- happy birthday m.r., wherever you are!
best thing of the day: blueberry tootsie pops
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
best things
The present moment is where life can be found. And if you don't arrive there, you miss your appointment with life. You don't have to run anymore. Breathing in, we say, "I have arrived." Breathing out, we say, "I am home."
~Thich Nhat Hanh
Some of the best things of the day since I last posted:
Friday: cats in the car
Saturday: sleeping in, more dreams for me
Sunday: walking into a mess on Hawthorne and being a part of the transformation, soaking in the tub and reading a hundred pages of the latest page turner
Monday: having a thank you moment with Mr. J, holding my nephew who is the most beautiful baby in the world, seeing my brother
Tuesday: red velvet cake
Wednesday: finding trish's old lipstick box in the junk drawer. remembering how much she loved it and how i would make special trips to the mall to find it for her.
**************
Find the best in every moment, every person. There's good for each of us packaged in a gift box full of life and wrapped in time.
Today, I received Jennifer W.'s newsletter. How can you not love her? She is a fabulous writer who comes across so personable. Seriously, I feel like she's one of my best girlfriends.
Strangely today and mostly Monday, I feel for Terry. He has no idea what he's missing...
~Thich Nhat Hanh
Some of the best things of the day since I last posted:
Friday: cats in the car
Saturday: sleeping in, more dreams for me
Sunday: walking into a mess on Hawthorne and being a part of the transformation, soaking in the tub and reading a hundred pages of the latest page turner
Monday: having a thank you moment with Mr. J, holding my nephew who is the most beautiful baby in the world, seeing my brother
Tuesday: red velvet cake
Wednesday: finding trish's old lipstick box in the junk drawer. remembering how much she loved it and how i would make special trips to the mall to find it for her.
**************
Find the best in every moment, every person. There's good for each of us packaged in a gift box full of life and wrapped in time.
Today, I received Jennifer W.'s newsletter. How can you not love her? She is a fabulous writer who comes across so personable. Seriously, I feel like she's one of my best girlfriends.
Strangely today and mostly Monday, I feel for Terry. He has no idea what he's missing...
Friday, September 01, 2006
likes & dislikes
dragonFLY dislikes:
1. onions
2. inconsideration
3. trash-filled cars
4. spam
5. bad coffee
6. cheap pens
7. unfriendly people
8. greasy breakfasts
9. supermarket sushi
10. i-4 traffic
11. liars
12. big spiders
13. cell phones in a movie
14. coca-cola/pepsi
15. yelling car commercials
16. bad strawberries
17. lamb
18. cookie cutters
19. cooking
20. dirty dishes and silverware
21. strong perfume
22. jelly fish/bees/anything that can sting you
23. stale cupcakes
24. rubber neckers
25. airplane bathrooms
26. smelling cigarette smoke
27. any movie with tom green in it
28. super sizing
29. forgetting birthdays (i'm guilty of this but i still don't like it)
30. instant information all the time whenever and wherever
31. excessive selfishness
32. low ceilings
33. mold
34. saying goodbye
35. my knee
36. tiny tubs
37. curtains/blinds/drapes closed at all times
38. mean geese
39. deadbeat dads
40. ignorance
41. corn syrup
42. liver
43. cheap haircuts
44. bad grammar (it's everywhere, even on the dragonFLY blog)
45. small minded thinking
46. insincere apologies (I'm sorry but...)
47. people who destroy beautiful things and/or people
48. arrogance
49. judgers
50. senseless crime
51. bullies or people who abuse power
52. cancer
dragonFLY likes:
1. tj
2. laughing
3. surprises
4. good books
5. breathing
6. journals
7. well written tv
8. bloggers
9. good photos
10. board games
11. magazines
12. packages
13. j.jill clothes
14. gilmore girls
15. handmade jewelry (spec. by Vickie D.)
16. green
17. saag paneer
18. jennifer weiner
19. music that connects you
20. simplicity
21. mild organization
22. boats
23. cake
24. bringing people together
25. making stuff - cards, gifts, paper airplanes
26. the keys
27. sunshine
28. giant flowers
29. truffles
30. post its
31. new places
32. friends
33. learning a different language
34. the ocean
35. yoga
36. soccer
37. blueberries
38. learning
39. high speed internet
40. dictionaries
41. celebrating for and with other people about anything positive
42. massages
43. familiar smiles
44. art
45. bobby's world
46. unplanned discounts
47. word of mouth about anything good
48. driving fast - i was born to be a race car driver
49. nice paper
50. animals, big and small
51. givers over takers
52. listening
53. good conversation
54. taking time alone
55. parades
56. survivors
57. climbing trees
58. watching sunsets and sunrises
59. a new box of crayons
60. a library card
61. singing karaoke
62. taking photos
63. arnold palmers
64. the #9
65. bartering
66. walking backwards
67. receiving a letter
68. writing a letter
69. sharpies
70. nice people
71. good customer service
72. making the best of whatever - "it's not what happens to us!"
73. cool lamps
74. ted's curry chicken
75. taking responsibility
76. soul collage
77. choices
78. being uplifted and uplifting others
79. focusing on what's important
80. support
81. relaxing
82. card shops
83. true friendship
84. tea -- hot, cold, whatever
85. true love
86. Thai food
1. onions
2. inconsideration
3. trash-filled cars
4. spam
5. bad coffee
6. cheap pens
7. unfriendly people
8. greasy breakfasts
9. supermarket sushi
10. i-4 traffic
11. liars
12. big spiders
13. cell phones in a movie
14. coca-cola/pepsi
15. yelling car commercials
16. bad strawberries
17. lamb
18. cookie cutters
19. cooking
20. dirty dishes and silverware
21. strong perfume
22. jelly fish/bees/anything that can sting you
23. stale cupcakes
24. rubber neckers
25. airplane bathrooms
26. smelling cigarette smoke
27. any movie with tom green in it
28. super sizing
29. forgetting birthdays (i'm guilty of this but i still don't like it)
30. instant information all the time whenever and wherever
31. excessive selfishness
32. low ceilings
33. mold
34. saying goodbye
35. my knee
36. tiny tubs
37. curtains/blinds/drapes closed at all times
38. mean geese
39. deadbeat dads
40. ignorance
41. corn syrup
42. liver
43. cheap haircuts
44. bad grammar (it's everywhere, even on the dragonFLY blog)
45. small minded thinking
46. insincere apologies (I'm sorry but...)
47. people who destroy beautiful things and/or people
48. arrogance
49. judgers
50. senseless crime
51. bullies or people who abuse power
52. cancer
dragonFLY likes:
1. tj
2. laughing
3. surprises
4. good books
5. breathing
6. journals
7. well written tv
8. bloggers
9. good photos
10. board games
11. magazines
12. packages
13. j.jill clothes
14. gilmore girls
15. handmade jewelry (spec. by Vickie D.)
16. green
17. saag paneer
18. jennifer weiner
19. music that connects you
20. simplicity
21. mild organization
22. boats
23. cake
24. bringing people together
25. making stuff - cards, gifts, paper airplanes
26. the keys
27. sunshine
28. giant flowers
29. truffles
30. post its
31. new places
32. friends
33. learning a different language
34. the ocean
35. yoga
36. soccer
37. blueberries
38. learning
39. high speed internet
40. dictionaries
41. celebrating for and with other people about anything positive
42. massages
43. familiar smiles
44. art
45. bobby's world
46. unplanned discounts
47. word of mouth about anything good
48. driving fast - i was born to be a race car driver
49. nice paper
50. animals, big and small
51. givers over takers
52. listening
53. good conversation
54. taking time alone
55. parades
56. survivors
57. climbing trees
58. watching sunsets and sunrises
59. a new box of crayons
60. a library card
61. singing karaoke
62. taking photos
63. arnold palmers
64. the #9
65. bartering
66. walking backwards
67. receiving a letter
68. writing a letter
69. sharpies
70. nice people
71. good customer service
72. making the best of whatever - "it's not what happens to us!"
73. cool lamps
74. ted's curry chicken
75. taking responsibility
76. soul collage
77. choices
78. being uplifted and uplifting others
79. focusing on what's important
80. support
81. relaxing
82. card shops
83. true friendship
84. tea -- hot, cold, whatever
85. true love
86. Thai food
Thursday, August 31, 2006
strength
Read this on another blog today...got me thinking.
Strength to go on is not something I think about. Its something that I do. Not out of obligation or guilt but because of love. When things go wrong (and they always do) it reminds me of the ever changing world. Things are never smooth. There are always bumps in the road. There are always obstacles to conquer. How boring life would be if things stayed the same and challenges never presented themselves. Its during these stressful times that you find out how strong you are, not how weak. Behind every storm is a rainbow. Eleanor Roosevelt said "Women are like a tea bag- you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water." I try to remember than when I am having a really bad day!
Strength to go on is not something I think about. Its something that I do. Not out of obligation or guilt but because of love. When things go wrong (and they always do) it reminds me of the ever changing world. Things are never smooth. There are always bumps in the road. There are always obstacles to conquer. How boring life would be if things stayed the same and challenges never presented themselves. Its during these stressful times that you find out how strong you are, not how weak. Behind every storm is a rainbow. Eleanor Roosevelt said "Women are like a tea bag- you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water." I try to remember than when I am having a really bad day!
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
the old way is okay
so i've been neglecting my online writings and reverting back to the old fashioned ways of recording my thoughts, my ideas...do you remember the pen and paper thing? it's funny how it works...found myself rubbing in the ink stains and trying to find a flat surface that could be comfortably written on. when i am in the mood to write about something, i write and lately, i find that my hand can barely keep up with the amount of words that fly onto the paper. but, it works! brilliantly too! to add to this excitment, i am almost finished with what is probably my 25th journal. i've never actually counted but there are many. i've also got many blank ones in waiting. through my travels, i pick a new one up...that is, of course, if there's one that calls my name. the last one was purchased in london. to shop at the camden market was absolutely one of the highlights of the trip. if only i had dressed warmer, the entire experience would be one of the best. regardless of the chill factor, i was very happy with the shopping purchases which not only included a great new journal but a sterling silver ring that is frequently worn on the left thumb (something new i added to my daily jewelry routine), a t-shirt for my brother that read, "dolphins are gay sharks" (later i found out his girlfriend has a dolphin tattoo...oops!) and little glass boxes with really great designs (they packaged them too so they'd travel safely back to the U.S.). to think, i was only there for about an hour. ted found a hat. again, we were freezing so i truly believe he would've purchased a ski suit if he had had another 30 minutes. back to journaling, it is absolutely one of my all time favorite things to do. over the weekend, i went to a great event called "speaking of women's health." the most valuable take-away for me was not the loreal gift bag with over a $100 worth of products...but the idea of starting a "best thing of the day" journal. those of you who are anti-journaling because of the time commitment and the guilt of not doing it every day can take this idea and run with it. it requires less than a minute a day. she suggested writing down the best thing of the previous day in the morning so you can spend the entire day paying close attention to the best things for an entire 24-hour period. imagine...everyone looking for the best in their days instead of focusng on the worst AND even better...writing it down so it can be a testament that the best existed for each of us on that particular day, during one of those small moments that if we're not careful, we can completely miss because we're busy waiting for the big ones. i fell in love with the idea and have already recorded some of the best things in the old paper journal.
best thing of the day: theo imitating hurricane ernesto
best thing of the day: theo imitating hurricane ernesto
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
celebrating today
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GENIUS!!
Hope you have an absolutely quiet day full of nothing stressful or crazy.
Monday, August 21, 2006
i'm sensitive and i'd like to stay that way
do you ever walk into a room or stand next to someone and just feel bad energy?
Sunday, August 20, 2006
all around weekend
lovely friday night with the lotz's at seasons and their friend, larry, who is a registrar for a really cool art gallery in new york city. i am being added to his christmas card list because the man designs his card all year long. can't wait to get it. in addition, he is dating a girl who designs all of the white homeware stuff for anthropoligie. that's got to be a cool job...designing stuff, seeing it actually get made and knowing that hundreds of people have your work in their homes. neat-o!
talked to joy! i just love that girl. she is a true frie! hope to see her soon...her and marty are making the house on rosestone the place to be. let me know when you need the dragonfly and i'll be there!
saturday was a good day of overcast weather which inspires me to organize...so needed this time. i went through tons of stuff, paperwork and several boxes in the office and got it in shape to make it find-able and pretty. before the office makeover, ted and i got some fuel while enjoying a fine brunch that morning with friends at first watch. did you know that the hummingbird is the only bird that can fly backwards? that night, we got take out at ID which is always a plus. i got to see firsthand while waiting for my food, the joys of satellite tv...it was barely raining and there was no signal on their set. go cable people! the dish is so unreliable...
sunday was fabulous weather...enjoyed doing the canoe thing with ted down the wekiva river. excellent relationship therapy. guess who sits in the front of the boat? me!! met up with the lotz's down at the park. happy to see maya too! it's been awhile. ted and i could've stayed all day long but they were wanting to get some mexican food. headed over to soccer that night for a little scrimmage. scored a goal and had about ten shots on goal. i wasn't connecting as well this time. plus, we played with the sun in our eyes. i was surprised i could drive home afterward.
off to the week...it's going to be a busy one but very exciting too!
talked to joy! i just love that girl. she is a true frie! hope to see her soon...her and marty are making the house on rosestone the place to be. let me know when you need the dragonfly and i'll be there!
saturday was a good day of overcast weather which inspires me to organize...so needed this time. i went through tons of stuff, paperwork and several boxes in the office and got it in shape to make it find-able and pretty. before the office makeover, ted and i got some fuel while enjoying a fine brunch that morning with friends at first watch. did you know that the hummingbird is the only bird that can fly backwards? that night, we got take out at ID which is always a plus. i got to see firsthand while waiting for my food, the joys of satellite tv...it was barely raining and there was no signal on their set. go cable people! the dish is so unreliable...
sunday was fabulous weather...enjoyed doing the canoe thing with ted down the wekiva river. excellent relationship therapy. guess who sits in the front of the boat? me!! met up with the lotz's down at the park. happy to see maya too! it's been awhile. ted and i could've stayed all day long but they were wanting to get some mexican food. headed over to soccer that night for a little scrimmage. scored a goal and had about ten shots on goal. i wasn't connecting as well this time. plus, we played with the sun in our eyes. i was surprised i could drive home afterward.
off to the week...it's going to be a busy one but very exciting too!
50 big ones
Happy Birthday to my fabulous
Auntie Mila!
I love you and all your dynamic qualities that makes
you one of the most amazing women I know!
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
for everyone, a common place
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
~Margaret Mead, US Anthropologist, 1901 - 1978
as many times as i have participated in group exercises that require people to start a conversation about something that may or may not be important to them and find a way to synergize thoughts and ideas, i am amazed at how beautiful the process can become if everyone jumps in and actively contributes to a real collaboration...not of egos, or stories or complaints but true possibilities that only a group made up of exactly the people in the room can create at that very moment. it is absolutely awesome! and certainly, one of the greatest gifts i feel God has given us as human beings. to feel a sincere commonality with total strangers who later, at times quickly, become colleagues, friends or part of your chosen family. for the past couple of days, i had an opportunity to sit at the table with a few people who i did not know and had no prior connection with other than we all work for the same company. after ten hours of meeting time, we came to a genuine understanding of what we need to do as a group to accomplish a massive task. what's even better than that is the sense that i am confident that we can do it based on the understanding of all those present during the process. it's exciting to be a part of an unfolding of personalities, interests, concerns, likes, dislikes, hopes, passions, reasons, similarities, differences...to see each element find a common place so that everyone has a chance to be a contributor, to carry the cause forward for everyone. i just love it. i love to participate. i love to witness it. i love to create it or inspire it among groups i'm in. it doesn't happen every day but then, i can't help but wonder why couldn't it?. why couldn't we all just set aside our pride, selfishness and pettiness about the small stuff and search for ways to serve the common good? we all have the ability. we all have the choice. we all have the power to influence, to change, to evolve, to inspire. i'm just grateful for being reminded of what i can do but more importantly from today, what a small group of citizens can do to change the world.
peruse this site -- www.howtochangetheworld.org, become a social entrepreneur or someone who is working to build a better place, community and world for all of us
~Margaret Mead, US Anthropologist, 1901 - 1978
as many times as i have participated in group exercises that require people to start a conversation about something that may or may not be important to them and find a way to synergize thoughts and ideas, i am amazed at how beautiful the process can become if everyone jumps in and actively contributes to a real collaboration...not of egos, or stories or complaints but true possibilities that only a group made up of exactly the people in the room can create at that very moment. it is absolutely awesome! and certainly, one of the greatest gifts i feel God has given us as human beings. to feel a sincere commonality with total strangers who later, at times quickly, become colleagues, friends or part of your chosen family. for the past couple of days, i had an opportunity to sit at the table with a few people who i did not know and had no prior connection with other than we all work for the same company. after ten hours of meeting time, we came to a genuine understanding of what we need to do as a group to accomplish a massive task. what's even better than that is the sense that i am confident that we can do it based on the understanding of all those present during the process. it's exciting to be a part of an unfolding of personalities, interests, concerns, likes, dislikes, hopes, passions, reasons, similarities, differences...to see each element find a common place so that everyone has a chance to be a contributor, to carry the cause forward for everyone. i just love it. i love to participate. i love to witness it. i love to create it or inspire it among groups i'm in. it doesn't happen every day but then, i can't help but wonder why couldn't it?. why couldn't we all just set aside our pride, selfishness and pettiness about the small stuff and search for ways to serve the common good? we all have the ability. we all have the choice. we all have the power to influence, to change, to evolve, to inspire. i'm just grateful for being reminded of what i can do but more importantly from today, what a small group of citizens can do to change the world.
peruse this site -- www.howtochangetheworld.org, become a social entrepreneur or someone who is working to build a better place, community and world for all of us
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
hope and beauty
I know the world is filled with troubles and many injustices. But reality is as beautiful as it is ugly. I think it is just as important to sing about beautiful mornings as it is to talk about slums. I just couldn't write anything without hope in it.
~Oscar Hammerstein
Monday, August 14, 2006
hello monday, goodbye weekend
lovely couple of days saturday and sunday ended up being.
friday kicked it off right with a trip to tampa and back for work. got back in enough time to hit the gym and head over to the lotz's to watch the ever-so-dreamy matthew mcconaughey in failure to launch. you too can see this movie because i actually own it. yep! i'm adding it to my dvd collection. let's see...that makes about 11 or 12 now. wow! i've got to get some new shelves or a storage bin.
saturday arrived quite nicely with nice weather and an agenda full of nothingness so with that, ted and i were able to create whatever we wanted. we went above and beyond by going to breakfast (imagine that) at the maitland first watch. our nothingness agenda was destroyed when we discovered that the new addition to our car family was sounding ill. we drove it down to the honda doctor where they gladly told us that the alignment was way off...like accident off...i promise i haven't hit anything! really people!! to top it off with a big fat cherry, the honda, my new car, requires super duper diva tires which are of course, tres expensive. so, to celebrate this news, ted and i decided to get hair cuts on a saturday, aka busiest day of the salon work week. we dared ourselves to try and get an appointment with the extremely popular and prego, cathy, on a day when salon ciseaux has absolutely no parking...none! we did it (it's all about who you know) and got out of there before the sun went down. we ran into some of the get along gang and ted invited everyone over to eat leftovers. that was great considering i was planning to sit and read this new book my boss at work hooked me up with. we're talking intellectual fodder for the brain -- two of the shopaholic books by sophie kinsella. i am in the middle of shopaholic says i do, gets married, something like that. jmo was right. you could read these during a layout session poolside or in the tub. they're fun, light and not too over the top so you can somewhat relate. so, all this to say, that saturdays are like a box of chocolates...you just never know what you're gonna get. a whole lot of nothingness turned into a great big of everything!
sunday was planned out from the get go. i am happy to report that i made it to the soccer scrimmage where i scored one of the last goals of the evening. it was not the highlight, far from it because one of the guys -- jim, also a member of the voodoo posse, did a pele kick. what's a pele kick you ask? basically, it's a back flip that somehow propels your foot to hit the ball and kick it into the goal. totally amazing! seriously, i think i've only ever seen pele on tv do this.
so, here we are on monday and i can't believe i'm still typing. today was extremely busy at work...i like it though because it makes me feel more and more part of the team. i really do love the team. they're good people that i have enjoyed getting to know. kena's super! rei's fun! jmo's cool! fi's on vaca. this week but i still like her anyway because she's australian. had a great lunch today with some prsa folks. left the office on the late side due to time getting ahead of me. it worked out traffic wise since i had to meet ted at the tire place with the very sick honda. she's not good when she's down like this. so, how much are the tires going to cost? over six hundred dollars...i feel the fire in my wallet. ouch! yes, you read "six" and then you read "hundred" and instead of my wish coming true for it to be in pennies, it's actually stayed as dollars. i remember paying two hundred dollars in college on tires for the vw golf and thinking that was outrageous. i guess i have to dip into the "oh no! fund" which is always a bummer but that's why it's called, "oh no!" so, again, ted and i wanted to commemorate this highway robbery by cleaning our other two cars this evening. well, wait a sec. it was me cleaning, scrubbing, drying and he did what most guys do...played with the water hose. yes, a very important job but it's only part of the process but then again, i'm just happy he participated. yay ted!
to end this overdone outpour, i will review and conclude that after all of this, i'm still so grateful, even soon to be without six hundred big ones in the bank. my life is constantly moving forward and i'm just trying to make sure i've got the right wheels (had to do it) to keep me on this crazy road. some days it feels like the audobon, others are a total dirt road with lots of holes full of mud and big sharp pointy rocks. but hey! i'm on it and i am lovin' the drive.
friday kicked it off right with a trip to tampa and back for work. got back in enough time to hit the gym and head over to the lotz's to watch the ever-so-dreamy matthew mcconaughey in failure to launch. you too can see this movie because i actually own it. yep! i'm adding it to my dvd collection. let's see...that makes about 11 or 12 now. wow! i've got to get some new shelves or a storage bin.
saturday arrived quite nicely with nice weather and an agenda full of nothingness so with that, ted and i were able to create whatever we wanted. we went above and beyond by going to breakfast (imagine that) at the maitland first watch. our nothingness agenda was destroyed when we discovered that the new addition to our car family was sounding ill. we drove it down to the honda doctor where they gladly told us that the alignment was way off...like accident off...i promise i haven't hit anything! really people!! to top it off with a big fat cherry, the honda, my new car, requires super duper diva tires which are of course, tres expensive. so, to celebrate this news, ted and i decided to get hair cuts on a saturday, aka busiest day of the salon work week. we dared ourselves to try and get an appointment with the extremely popular and prego, cathy, on a day when salon ciseaux has absolutely no parking...none! we did it (it's all about who you know) and got out of there before the sun went down. we ran into some of the get along gang and ted invited everyone over to eat leftovers. that was great considering i was planning to sit and read this new book my boss at work hooked me up with. we're talking intellectual fodder for the brain -- two of the shopaholic books by sophie kinsella. i am in the middle of shopaholic says i do, gets married, something like that. jmo was right. you could read these during a layout session poolside or in the tub. they're fun, light and not too over the top so you can somewhat relate. so, all this to say, that saturdays are like a box of chocolates...you just never know what you're gonna get. a whole lot of nothingness turned into a great big of everything!
sunday was planned out from the get go. i am happy to report that i made it to the soccer scrimmage where i scored one of the last goals of the evening. it was not the highlight, far from it because one of the guys -- jim, also a member of the voodoo posse, did a pele kick. what's a pele kick you ask? basically, it's a back flip that somehow propels your foot to hit the ball and kick it into the goal. totally amazing! seriously, i think i've only ever seen pele on tv do this.
so, here we are on monday and i can't believe i'm still typing. today was extremely busy at work...i like it though because it makes me feel more and more part of the team. i really do love the team. they're good people that i have enjoyed getting to know. kena's super! rei's fun! jmo's cool! fi's on vaca. this week but i still like her anyway because she's australian. had a great lunch today with some prsa folks. left the office on the late side due to time getting ahead of me. it worked out traffic wise since i had to meet ted at the tire place with the very sick honda. she's not good when she's down like this. so, how much are the tires going to cost? over six hundred dollars...i feel the fire in my wallet. ouch! yes, you read "six" and then you read "hundred" and instead of my wish coming true for it to be in pennies, it's actually stayed as dollars. i remember paying two hundred dollars in college on tires for the vw golf and thinking that was outrageous. i guess i have to dip into the "oh no! fund" which is always a bummer but that's why it's called, "oh no!" so, again, ted and i wanted to commemorate this highway robbery by cleaning our other two cars this evening. well, wait a sec. it was me cleaning, scrubbing, drying and he did what most guys do...played with the water hose. yes, a very important job but it's only part of the process but then again, i'm just happy he participated. yay ted!
to end this overdone outpour, i will review and conclude that after all of this, i'm still so grateful, even soon to be without six hundred big ones in the bank. my life is constantly moving forward and i'm just trying to make sure i've got the right wheels (had to do it) to keep me on this crazy road. some days it feels like the audobon, others are a total dirt road with lots of holes full of mud and big sharp pointy rocks. but hey! i'm on it and i am lovin' the drive.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
out with a bang
last night voodoo played a stellar game. it ended in double overtime and penalty shots. we lost by one which was fine considering we all wanted to sit and have some guin-erade. there is a team photo that my teddy took prior to the sweat match so when it's off the camera, also known as the black hole, i will post it with pride. in the meantime, thanks so much to the girls, especially gingie, who came through for me last night in a major way. she is hilarious and someone you don't want to mess with. she could seriously become a successful private eye. until next season...
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
stop and breathe
this is just such a great photo to me...i am trying to learn more about flickr so in the meantime, i keep coming across so many great shots like this one.
this picture inspires a moment of just being -- no worries about what to do or buy or where to go. just sitting back and taking in what God gives to us daily...a life full of breathtaking moments that require nothing but taking the time to remember to stop, to take in and to see what is possible through Him.
Monday, August 07, 2006
moonday, no jellies
have you ever seen a moon jelly? spent my day at the beach yesterday and refused to go deep into the water because of the awful possibility of getting stung by a jelly fish. oh! the thought just makes makes my skin crawl. you know how they say you can't really fear what you know...well, i am afraid of this. jellies are all over the place and over a year ago, i blindly swam through a bunch of them while snorkeling while my dear teddy scuba dived down in the keys. i lived, of course, but next time, the boat may be the place for me.
have you ever been stung? jelly? bee?
Sunday, August 06, 2006
happiness to all my fries!
Celebrate the joy of friendship on this very special day!
It's FRIENDSHIP DAY!
Friendship Day thoughts (from a friendly site)
The abundant joys of friendship is enriched with its purity, simplicity, sincerity and trust. It is the intensity of the love that leaves behind trails of sweet memories to cherish the core of life giving a whole new meaning to it. The enigma of friendship strengthens with the bonds of relationships so unique which is unselfish, intimate, pure and beautiful. A bond, unburdened by the constraints of age, sex, religion, social status and other such artificial values that encompass all relations of mankind. Friendship means a firm and gentle relation. It has a responsibility of sharing and caring. It is priceless, incomparable and has an afterglow that shines life like happy sunshine. Friendship means you can confide, share secrets, have oneness and above all, equal wave lengths to match your interests and similar outlook. It has the power of appreciation whatever is noble and loving. A real friend walks in with you when all the rest fall apart in time of need. A true friend believes in your dreams and wishes the best of everything. Friendship is like a vase, once broken cannot be mended. Each person needs for a longing to talk and with the changing time, making friends has a whole new meaning.
Recipe for a Happy Friendship
2 cups of genuine interest
4 spoons of understanding
1 cup of recognition
1 cup of appreciation
2 spoons of tenderness
1 cup of simple courtesies
3 glasses of kindness
4 spoons of faith
1 cup of friendship
1 jug of laughter
1 jug of smiles
2 mugs of consideration for others
Procedure
Take Genuine Interest and make an effort to Understand. Mix Thoroughly with Recognition and Appreciation. Blend with Simple courtesies. Add Faith, Friendship and an abundance of Laughter.
Top freely with smiles and consideration for others. Bake with bright openness. Garnish with Love. Serve daily with generous helpings.
2 cups of genuine interest
4 spoons of understanding
1 cup of recognition
1 cup of appreciation
2 spoons of tenderness
1 cup of simple courtesies
3 glasses of kindness
4 spoons of faith
1 cup of friendship
1 jug of laughter
1 jug of smiles
2 mugs of consideration for others
Procedure
Take Genuine Interest and make an effort to Understand. Mix Thoroughly with Recognition and Appreciation. Blend with Simple courtesies. Add Faith, Friendship and an abundance of Laughter.
Top freely with smiles and consideration for others. Bake with bright openness. Garnish with Love. Serve daily with generous helpings.
ATTITUDE – YOU can make the difference!
To smile;
To apologize;
To be unselfish;
To admit mistakes;
To enjoy your work;
To laugh at yourself;
To think and then act;
To forgive and forget;
To control bad temper;
To make someone happy;
To learn from mistakes;
To respond and not react;
To be honest and truthful;
To refrain from criticism;
To shoulder deserved blame;
To keep cool when provoked;
To listen without interrupting;
To respect others’ point of view;
To do a little more than expected;
To be well mannered to near and dear ones.
To apologize;
To be unselfish;
To admit mistakes;
To enjoy your work;
To laugh at yourself;
To think and then act;
To forgive and forget;
To control bad temper;
To make someone happy;
To learn from mistakes;
To respond and not react;
To be honest and truthful;
To refrain from criticism;
To shoulder deserved blame;
To keep cool when provoked;
To listen without interrupting;
To respect others’ point of view;
To do a little more than expected;
To be well mannered to near and dear ones.
Saturday, August 05, 2006
go go gadget girl!
worked on getting it together today. lots of little projects here and there. i covet having time to work on them. ted and i were able to spend some quality time together. always a plus on a weekend.
Leader and a Movie
Thanks to www.phillaeger.com, I found a site that after a brief quiz, told me the following about what kind of leader and what kind of movie I am:
Friday, August 04, 2006
morning buzz
Kia and the rest of the crew served the buzz to me this morning. Caffeine not necessary. 80's morning at The Daily Buzz. Joined the nationally syndicated news and weather with personality team this morning for an hour of their broadcast to check out how it all goes down in the teeny tiny studio in Lake Mary. So much fun and great energy! Got to see Anne and Deanne. Deanne is having her baby Jack tomorrow! She is amazing and still so model-esque at one day before delivery. Met the production guys and gal. Got a photo for Teddy signed by his crush -- Andrea J. It's really a great way to start the day!
Thursday, August 03, 2006
no go for voodoo
so, we lost again to a stinky team. the real score was 2-2 but our team kept getting called out. i'm glad that my team is as fun as it is. playoffs -- here we come!
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
letting go vs. holding on
letting go so that i may appreciate why i held on. i don't have to do everything to be anything. i can just be me and hold on to what is true. there are so many imposters. things, situations, peole who pose as one thing to only serve their own purposes. by moving forward, i see clearly what He has placed before me. in the end, no one will look at my gpa, church attendance record, bank account, drivers license or my credit score to define who i was or what my life was all about. it is my heart, those i loved, those moments i shared and the difference i made with it all while i was here. i let go.
you go.
you go and i hold on.
i hold on.
to you.
you go and i hold on.
i hold me.
for me.
i go for me and i hold on.
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
thinking of jennifer
I was perusing the blogosphere and came across one that has been written by a 50 year old guy who has lost three of his four children in the last four years. His voice is very distinct and insightful on what his grief has brought him and where he is now knowing there's less years of life ahead of him than ever before.
It is always tempting to put things off another week, another month, another year, but if I do that, I will put off living life forever.
In the end, as so many people drift away and are lost at the end of frayed tethers of letters, all that seems to remain is family, and some friends as close as family.So many moves in my life, so few roots in so many ways.
How do you lose a child? How? The thought is painful enough. It brings me back to realizing how vulnerable we all are to reality, to death, to suffering.
It is always tempting to put things off another week, another month, another year, but if I do that, I will put off living life forever.
In the end, as so many people drift away and are lost at the end of frayed tethers of letters, all that seems to remain is family, and some friends as close as family.So many moves in my life, so few roots in so many ways.
How do you lose a child? How? The thought is painful enough. It brings me back to realizing how vulnerable we all are to reality, to death, to suffering.
thanks tangos and flowers
Was visiting tangos and flowers and couldn't help but get struck by the following excerpt:
Gilbert Chesterton met the question squarely."Christianity has not been tried and found wanting," he wrote. "It has been found difficult and untried." Mahatma Ghandi once said, I like your Christ, but I don't like your Christians." He gave as his reason, " They are so unlike your Christ." Unless and until we have men and women who live by the inner dynamism of the Spirit, human torches aglow with the fire of LOVE for Christ, Christianity will be a musty antique of a medieval past.
Only the Holy Spirit conveys the dynamic character of the moral life and nurtures the willingness to accept initiative. External law had bred a don't get involved attitude. Stressing the mere and minimal fulfillment of precept, it makes Christians cautious about making waves. Just float through life like a majestic iceberg taking no chances. A prominent American churchman remarked recently: " Other people, often not even Christians, are speaking out the sound principles of Christ in the struggle for racial justice more faithfully than we. They are looked upon as fanatics- YET they are doing a very Christian thing- things we should be doing if we see Christ in our fellow man." What a strange breed of Christianity the law has ushered in! What little resemblance it bears to the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
Gilbert Chesterton met the question squarely."Christianity has not been tried and found wanting," he wrote. "It has been found difficult and untried." Mahatma Ghandi once said, I like your Christ, but I don't like your Christians." He gave as his reason, " They are so unlike your Christ." Unless and until we have men and women who live by the inner dynamism of the Spirit, human torches aglow with the fire of LOVE for Christ, Christianity will be a musty antique of a medieval past.
Only the Holy Spirit conveys the dynamic character of the moral life and nurtures the willingness to accept initiative. External law had bred a don't get involved attitude. Stressing the mere and minimal fulfillment of precept, it makes Christians cautious about making waves. Just float through life like a majestic iceberg taking no chances. A prominent American churchman remarked recently: " Other people, often not even Christians, are speaking out the sound principles of Christ in the struggle for racial justice more faithfully than we. They are looked upon as fanatics- YET they are doing a very Christian thing- things we should be doing if we see Christ in our fellow man." What a strange breed of Christianity the law has ushered in! What little resemblance it bears to the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
Sunday, July 30, 2006
exciting news
Today, I know:
I am enough.
I have enough.
I do enough.
Today, you must know:
You are enough.
You have enough.
You do enough.
It's powerful stuff. Enough. When was the last time someone said, "________ insert your name (so for me, DragonFLY), YOU ARE ENOUGH"?? No one says it. They've taken on the same thinking for themselves...I'm not enough. I need more. I need to do this. I have to be this. Just for a minute join me -- I'm excited about being where I am right now, at this very moment just because I have what I have and I am who I am. Seriously, try it! Try thinking about your life, as is, nothing more, nothing less...So, isn't it exciting?!!?? I didn't say perfect people. I said exciting!! You have another moment, this moment, now this one, and this one and...You have enough. You have you. You have now. You have sooooo much!!
Read a book.
If you like knowing you're enough, read some Sark.
She'll remind you and inspire you to fly and to also take time to nap.
to Joy -- your message was amazing. i felt like you were standing right next to me...that's how close your beautiful words of love and remembrance touched my heart. your friendship moves mountains for me. i love you be-fri!
I am enough.
I have enough.
I do enough.
Today, you must know:
You are enough.
You have enough.
You do enough.
It's powerful stuff. Enough. When was the last time someone said, "________ insert your name (so for me, DragonFLY), YOU ARE ENOUGH"?? No one says it. They've taken on the same thinking for themselves...I'm not enough. I need more. I need to do this. I have to be this. Just for a minute join me -- I'm excited about being where I am right now, at this very moment just because I have what I have and I am who I am. Seriously, try it! Try thinking about your life, as is, nothing more, nothing less...So, isn't it exciting?!!?? I didn't say perfect people. I said exciting!! You have another moment, this moment, now this one, and this one and...You have enough. You have you. You have now. You have sooooo much!!
Read a book.
If you like knowing you're enough, read some Sark.
She'll remind you and inspire you to fly and to also take time to nap.
to Joy -- your message was amazing. i felt like you were standing right next to me...that's how close your beautiful words of love and remembrance touched my heart. your friendship moves mountains for me. i love you be-fri!
Saturday, July 29, 2006
traveling out of town
going on yet another road trip tonight to visit the family in the northeast part of this great sunshine state. i tell ya what...we love to do the impossible. what? don't leave in the middle of the night...oh come on! look who you're talking to. we'd drive a million miles to spend time with our loved ones and enjoy a beautiful environment. it's not just me, ted's the same way. we've even discussed going to see china girl and, HELLO my peoples, she's in china!
Friday, July 28, 2006
Friday at last!
What happens when people have too much money and aren't sure what to do with it. I really like those green cones.
I am not one who typically subscribes to the TGIF attitude. Typically, enjoying every day equally is good since working on the weekend does come up for me quite often. This week, I have to strongly say that I couldn't be happier that Friday is here and happening. It's been a heck of a week. Sleeping has become a luxury and the amount of caffeine that has been shot into my body is ridiculous. It's as if I'm in some strange science experiment. Theory: Woman can live and somewhat function for 5 days on nothing but coffee and hotel food. Conclusion: She can put one foot in front of the other BUT living and functioning are debatable.
The Grand Floridian was a glorious place to stay and play. Much to my disappointment, there was no play factored into the schedule so from afar, I got glimpses of what it might be like if I wasn't there for work. No hamburgers either...I had to settle for the filet.
I so want my pillow right now.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
sleepover
doing a sleepover tonight at the grand floridian for work. i remember when people talked about this hotel first opening. they always talked about the $7 hamburgers. well, i finally get to check it out.can't wait until david starts here...then i can get the inside scoop on the best rooms, activities, etc.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
my day in pictures
1. started at international plaza in tampa at a press conference 
2. went to tampa digital to edit video for stations who weren't at the press conference
3. begged kena for a short break to get my nails done in the midst of a very long day...thankfully, she said yes!
4. watched focus groups discuss some interesting issues for 4 hours
I got home around midnight. I'm tired but in a good way.
Monday, July 24, 2006
in loss
To a friend who just lost one of her best to Metastatic Breast Cancer -- I am so sorry.
You once wrote, "I have been amazed by the depths of my own humanity and the resiliency of the human spirit. We are all so fragile, yet so strong. So broken, yet so perfect. "
You once wrote, "I have been amazed by the depths of my own humanity and the resiliency of the human spirit. We are all so fragile, yet so strong. So broken, yet so perfect. "
Saturday, July 22, 2006
dedicated to buderfli, love dragonFLY
Congrats to my friend, Ginger, who today had her new house dedicated. This journey has been tedious and long but it's all worth it since you and My My are now on your way to creating a home of your own. Thanks for letting me be a part of it all. Wendy ~ so good to see you and the girls (little women)!
Habitat homeowner: 'It still hasn't sunk in'
by Robert PeRez
July 22, 2006
SANFORD -- Ginger Flack and her daughter began their new life Friday in a three-bedroom, two-bath home that sits directly under the path of incoming planes at Orlando Sanford International Airport.
They couldn't be happier.
The pair is moving into a 1,200-square-foot home completed in a 10-day building blitz by Habitat for Humanity of Seminole County and its partners -- Maronda Homes, Trustco Bank and Orangewood Presbyterian Church."This is going to give us a whole new way of life," Flack said. "We'll have our own home."
Amaya Flack was about a year old when her mother began putting in the first of 300 hours of volunteer work for the program. She will celebrate her fourth birthday next month in her own room.The 2 1/2 years of weekend volunteer work -- Habitat's required "sweat equity" -- seemed like no time at all, she said."It didn't seem like work," said Flack, a 29-year-old single mother. "Everybody is so wonderful, so grateful. They're happy to be there."
On Friday, it was Flack's turn to be on the receiving end."It still hasn't sunk in that this is mine," she said.Amaya was oblivious to Friday's ceremony, wandering in and out of the empty home as officials celebrated the completion of the house in record time."There was nothing but trenches for the footers out here 10 days ago," said Robert Kinney, Habitat president.
Flack's home was built a la Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, the popular ABC program that rehabs homes for worthy people in seven days. On average, volunteer crews spent 12 hours a day on Flack's house.A 20-year interest-free loan helped make the home affordable for Flack, a manager at United Trophy's Casselberry store.
In addition to donating $20,000 for home construction, Trustco Bank is providing home-ownership counseling to Flack.Central Florida's hot real-estate market has made it nearly impossible to find affordable land in safe neighborhoods to build, Kinney said. Habitat built two homes, including Flack's, on Palmetto Avenue.Flack is looking forward to her new community. She does not worry about the near-constant shriek of jets and putter of prop planes overhead. She is just grateful.
"At first I was worried because they come in so low, but now I like watching them come in," she said. "We'll get used to the noise. Pretty soon it's going to be background noise."
Habitat homeowner: 'It still hasn't sunk in'
by Robert PeRez
July 22, 2006
SANFORD -- Ginger Flack and her daughter began their new life Friday in a three-bedroom, two-bath home that sits directly under the path of incoming planes at Orlando Sanford International Airport.
They couldn't be happier.
The pair is moving into a 1,200-square-foot home completed in a 10-day building blitz by Habitat for Humanity of Seminole County and its partners -- Maronda Homes, Trustco Bank and Orangewood Presbyterian Church."This is going to give us a whole new way of life," Flack said. "We'll have our own home."
Amaya Flack was about a year old when her mother began putting in the first of 300 hours of volunteer work for the program. She will celebrate her fourth birthday next month in her own room.The 2 1/2 years of weekend volunteer work -- Habitat's required "sweat equity" -- seemed like no time at all, she said."It didn't seem like work," said Flack, a 29-year-old single mother. "Everybody is so wonderful, so grateful. They're happy to be there."
On Friday, it was Flack's turn to be on the receiving end."It still hasn't sunk in that this is mine," she said.Amaya was oblivious to Friday's ceremony, wandering in and out of the empty home as officials celebrated the completion of the house in record time."There was nothing but trenches for the footers out here 10 days ago," said Robert Kinney, Habitat president.
Flack's home was built a la Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, the popular ABC program that rehabs homes for worthy people in seven days. On average, volunteer crews spent 12 hours a day on Flack's house.A 20-year interest-free loan helped make the home affordable for Flack, a manager at United Trophy's Casselberry store.
In addition to donating $20,000 for home construction, Trustco Bank is providing home-ownership counseling to Flack.Central Florida's hot real-estate market has made it nearly impossible to find affordable land in safe neighborhoods to build, Kinney said. Habitat built two homes, including Flack's, on Palmetto Avenue.Flack is looking forward to her new community. She does not worry about the near-constant shriek of jets and putter of prop planes overhead. She is just grateful.
"At first I was worried because they come in so low, but now I like watching them come in," she said. "We'll get used to the noise. Pretty soon it's going to be background noise."
Friday, July 21, 2006
Cocktails & the Cosmos at OSC
Picked up the Teddy Bear and came back into town for a networking event at the Science Center. Got to catch up with many people about the latest news...Met Kena's son who is absolutely adorable! Topped the evening off with some yumalicious Indian Food. I need to learn how to make saag paneer. It can't be that hard. Maybe I'll check in 
with one of my favorite bloggers -- Tales from a Veggie Kitchen. That girl can cook! Did you know that Michael Jackson also loves Saag Paneer. It's true! It's on the internet! :-)
Thursday, July 20, 2006
the NEVERS
" 'Never say never.' People like to say that. Why? Beats us. Some things are really impossible. And sometimes, just sometimes, you should say 'never.' Never round up when guessing someone's age. Never allow your friends to drink and dial. Never stop yourself from saying something nice. Never deny yourself the last bite of something really delicious. Never sunbathe nude in India. Never chew gum in Singapore. Never go against your gut. Never be the one to break the news regarding Santa, the Tooth Fairy or any other personae with good reputations. Never decline a high five. Never take your health for granted. Never hold on to old socks."
Some of my nevers fluttering around in my mind today:
Never eat a big dinner and then go straight to bed. Never sleep in cheap sheets. Never drive in the fast lane unless you're driving fast. Never be mean or encourage others to be mean. Never get angry for being in rush hour traffic during rush hour. Never drive in the rain if you don't know how or feel uncomfortable...Pull over! Never make fun of people who have to have at least one cup of coffee before they make sense in the morning. Never cook bacon in the nude. Never use the sink or toilet while your husband is showering. Never forget all of the firsts -- days, times, loves, losses, wins. Never shop without having some idea of what you're looking for. Never rush for no reason. Never smoke. Never complain without a suggestion/solution. Never eat mediocre desserts. Never forget to say thank you. Never overlook you're amazing friends...the ones who send you a great card that makes your day. Never stop kissing your spouse. Never live completely unaware of who and what surrounds you. Never use the words, "Because you always do" when trying to convince someone. Never answer the phone with a frown. Never wear uncomfortable shoes for more than 3 hours at a time...It really messes with your mood. Never acknowledge that you are all about something that is not bigger than you. Never slack on calling your mom even if it's just to say "I love you." Never forget how blessed you are. Never deny that you are beautifully and wonderfully made.
From DailyCandy A to Z: An Insider's Guide to the Sweet Life
Some of my nevers fluttering around in my mind today:
Never eat a big dinner and then go straight to bed. Never sleep in cheap sheets. Never drive in the fast lane unless you're driving fast. Never be mean or encourage others to be mean. Never get angry for being in rush hour traffic during rush hour. Never drive in the rain if you don't know how or feel uncomfortable...Pull over! Never make fun of people who have to have at least one cup of coffee before they make sense in the morning. Never cook bacon in the nude. Never use the sink or toilet while your husband is showering. Never forget all of the firsts -- days, times, loves, losses, wins. Never shop without having some idea of what you're looking for. Never rush for no reason. Never smoke. Never complain without a suggestion/solution. Never eat mediocre desserts. Never forget to say thank you. Never overlook you're amazing friends...the ones who send you a great card that makes your day. Never stop kissing your spouse. Never live completely unaware of who and what surrounds you. Never use the words, "Because you always do" when trying to convince someone. Never answer the phone with a frown. Never wear uncomfortable shoes for more than 3 hours at a time...It really messes with your mood. Never acknowledge that you are all about something that is not bigger than you. Never slack on calling your mom even if it's just to say "I love you." Never forget how blessed you are. Never deny that you are beautifully and wonderfully made.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
tie game to me time
voodoo doesn't strike again. we tied bud tonight after 40 rigorous minutes when i thought i had pulled a hammy which later turned out to be my quad. oh wellsies...moving on since i won't be able to play next week due to a work commitment. went to chippy's afterward with some of my favorite people for a quick bite. ted's gone tonight so i am just sitting back and enjoying my solitude. i've never been one that requires constant attention. i enjoy people, company, guests, visitors -- unexpected and expected -- but sometimes, i really like to just be alone to think, to digest, to pray, to ponder, to revel, to appreciate, to remember, to understand, to just be. it's so peaceful, so important to just touch base with yourself every so often. deep breath in, deep breath out. this is nice...real nice.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
the buderfli house
Lots of excitement brewing for my friend Ginger and her new house through Habitat for Humanity. Above is a portion of the building crew, her little cutsie My My and Christine from FOX. Monday, July 17, 2006
Sunday, July 16, 2006
weekend at home
first weekend in awhile that ted and i actually stayed in town. we spent friday night with theo and cathy in celebration of sophia's 4th birthday. i remember when she was just a little peanut at the hospital. ted, sr. came into town on saturday afternoon. this was his first trip, to my knowledge, out of town since trish passed away. it was so good to have him visit us. since i had to work on saturday night at the store, ted took him all over 
town. in true ted fashion, he got lost trying to get to i-drive. we had a nice dinner on saturday night at chang's. sunday morning, we attended a service at the Greek Orthodox Church in maitland. beautiful church. lots of kids in the congregation. we met the priest and looked around at the facilities. of course, we had been there before for Greek Fest but ted's dad had never seen it. we enjoyed a nice lunch at fw and then he was back to jax. i wanted him to stay considering he and ted
are such a riot together. later that afternoon, ted and i headed to sunday soccer scrimmage where gene, josh and sara were waiting. i played with the big kids and ted played a game with josh, sara and gene. it was unbelievably hot. i think the worst ever! i scored a goal early on in the game and almost had another one. it hit the cross bar. we went to panera bread for dinner. it was good to see janice. she's been busy the last few weeks and so have i. she's got a new little baby niece that she's so happy about! it was just a nice weekend. full of family, fun and hot weather.
town. in true ted fashion, he got lost trying to get to i-drive. we had a nice dinner on saturday night at chang's. sunday morning, we attended a service at the Greek Orthodox Church in maitland. beautiful church. lots of kids in the congregation. we met the priest and looked around at the facilities. of course, we had been there before for Greek Fest but ted's dad had never seen it. we enjoyed a nice lunch at fw and then he was back to jax. i wanted him to stay considering he and ted
are such a riot together. later that afternoon, ted and i headed to sunday soccer scrimmage where gene, josh and sara were waiting. i played with the big kids and ted played a game with josh, sara and gene. it was unbelievably hot. i think the worst ever! i scored a goal early on in the game and almost had another one. it hit the cross bar. we went to panera bread for dinner. it was good to see janice. she's been busy the last few weeks and so have i. she's got a new little baby niece that she's so happy about! it was just a nice weekend. full of family, fun and hot weather.
Friday, July 14, 2006
sick again -- yuck!
in volusia county this morning for a press conference and am feeling a bit under the weather again. why me? why now? at least i got a great lunch with a really hot guy. he's the best producer in all of daytona beach...all of central florida!
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
welcome baby ella!
great news from the be-fri earlier this morning about little matty-poo and his sweet southern girl having a baby girl! CONGRATULATIONS! to ella -- you have just entered one of the most amazing families on all of planet earth AND as if that's not enough, you have one of the best aunties in all the universe!
Monday, July 10, 2006
celebrating true friendship
Everything I Need to Know about Friendship I Learned from My Women Friendsby BJ Gallagher
A TRUE FRIEND,
FROM A TO Z...
ACCEPTS you, warts and all
BELIEVES in your potential
COMFORTS you when you're sad
DELIGHTS in your successes
EMPATHIZES with your struggles
FORGIVES you when you hurt her feelings, just as you do her
GIVES you time and attention
HUGS you. ..often
INSPIRES you to do your best
JUST loves you
KEEPS your secrets
LISTENS with her heart
MAKES you want to be a better person
NEVER judges you
OCCASIONALLY disappoints you 'cause she's human, too
POINTS out your good qualities when you forget
QUESTIONS you when you're about to do something really dumb
RESPECTS your boundaries
SHARES her hopes and fears with you
TELLS you the truth
UNDERSTANDS you, even when you don't understand yourself
VALUES your ideas and opinions
WILL do anything she can to help you
XTENDS a helping hand whenever you need it
YEARNS to hear from you when you're away
ZINGS with joy 'cause you're her friend
Mark your calendars for Friendship Day on Aug. 6th! Tell your friends you love them and why!
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Where in the world is my Auntie Mila?
The following is my Auntie Mila's tavel itinerary:
July
9 Leaving Jax to Atlanta to JFK NY.
11 and 12 Singapore
13 Singapore to Bali
16 Bali to Singapore
17 Singapore to Beijing
18 Tiananmen Square/Temple of Heaven/Imperial Palace/Acrobatic show
19 Great Wall/Ming Tombs/Dingling
20 Summer Palace/Wangfujing Street
21 Beijing to Bangkok
22 Bangkok city tour & shopping
23 Bangkok to Singapore
24 Singapore to Manila
25 Manila to Davao
27 Davao to Manila
27 Manila to Singapore
27 11:50 pm leaving Singapore to Germany to JFK NY
28th Home Sweet Home
Have fun Mila! Safe journey!!! Mahal kita!
July
9 Leaving Jax to Atlanta to JFK NY.
11 and 12 Singapore
13 Singapore to Bali
16 Bali to Singapore
17 Singapore to Beijing
18 Tiananmen Square/Temple of Heaven/Imperial Palace/Acrobatic show
19 Great Wall/Ming Tombs/Dingling
20 Summer Palace/Wangfujing Street
21 Beijing to Bangkok
22 Bangkok city tour & shopping
23 Bangkok to Singapore
24 Singapore to Manila
25 Manila to Davao
27 Davao to Manila
27 Manila to Singapore
27 11:50 pm leaving Singapore to Germany to JFK NY
28th Home Sweet Home
Have fun Mila! Safe journey!!! Mahal kita!
Saturday, July 08, 2006
Baby Theo's Christening
mr. wonderful, baby freshly christened, moi et brother T
cousin m with the cutest little baby in the whole world!
Theo, Josie, Tania (Godmother), cute Baby Theo and Mario (Godfather)Today my baby brother's baby (Theodore Gene Hagen, Jr.) was Christened.
This kind of event makes one stop and really take in what is all around them.
Life. Family. God. Love. Hope.
Friday, July 07, 2006
traveling to tampa
This morning I was in Tampa and visited one of our main offices for work. Really impressive. The people were so nice and helpful. I learned a lot about the relationship between the teams and how they relate to mine. It was worth the four hours of traveling in the most ridiculous traffic. I shall return for yet another adventure. I just won't stop in Polk County. Story to come at a later time.
Thursday, July 06, 2006
local cup filled with adventure and honesty
Prepare to be shocked! Voodoo did it again...We WON!!! 2 weeks in a row people. Woohoo! There were a ton of shots on our goal. It's true BUT when it all came down to it, they never scored on us. I got the ball and it was as if time slowed down. I saw John down at the goal. He kept hanging there to avoid running excessively. Only the Voodoo can get away with this kind of slack playing. Instead of passing it off, I took the shot but I kept it on the ground. All John had to do was tap it in to the little goal and BOOM! 1 goal for us at the last two minutes of the game. When the whistle blew, we added another win to our record! Everyone was so excited. I think I was still trying to figure out what happened. Needless to say, we are on a roll!
Today, I am hanging out with the cable guy and learning the "cables" (ropes) of the biz. There is an all new appreciation for what these guys do all day. In addition, I have named myself "Cable Girl" and will be making a costume soon. There will be photos upon its completion. The Adventures of Cable Girl!
Tonight at the Jill, I saw a million things that I want to add to my collection. Fall fashion is out and looking mighty cute!
To close, what an amazing freedom you discover when you choose to be honest. No pretending. No blaming others. No over analyzing or thinking. No judging. Just YES for being honest. In that choice, you find what carries you further than you could ever imagine. (sigh) It's awesome.
Today, I am hanging out with the cable guy and learning the "cables" (ropes) of the biz. There is an all new appreciation for what these guys do all day. In addition, I have named myself "Cable Girl" and will be making a costume soon. There will be photos upon its completion. The Adventures of Cable Girl!
Tonight at the Jill, I saw a million things that I want to add to my collection. Fall fashion is out and looking mighty cute!
To close, what an amazing freedom you discover when you choose to be honest. No pretending. No blaming others. No over analyzing or thinking. No judging. Just YES for being honest. In that choice, you find what carries you further than you could ever imagine. (sigh) It's awesome.
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
i love fireworks
CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE DAY! theo and cathy made it all happen for this year's fourth. they brought the right people together for a grand grilling experience. theo grilled up enough ribs for the neighborhood. cathy made an awesome cherry pie. they even arranged for fireworks to go off that could be seen from the front of their house and from the back. it was a fireworks bonanza!
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Happy Independence Day!
I ran/walked three miles this morning at the annual Watermelon Fun Run in Winter Park at 7:30 this morning with half of Orlando. Robin, Ixchel, Destiny and Maurice were there to celebrate the crazy idea and suffer together. I saw Theo L., Shawn S., Heather (she won the women's division with a time of 19:52) and Wendy. It was so incredibly hot. I know, I know, it IS July. I finished which was literally my only goal. Tomorrow night is soccer so I wasn't about to push myself too hard. The actual route is really nice. You run past all kinds of nice homes and enjoy the view. The worst part is you do pass the lead runners who finish under 20 minutes. You get to see everyone who's beating you. There were fully dressed firemen, American flag carriers, professional walkers, small children, etc. I kept reminding myself to honor my body and not overdo it. I was so happy to get into my car and blast the AC. Thank you for air conditioning especially for moments like this morning. About 20 minutes later, Ted and I met up to enjoy our usual breakfast at First Watch. He asked if I won the race. I told him that I won a frisbee. Today has been great and very relaxing. We're heading to the Lotz's for a party and look forward to seeing fireworks. Thank you for friends who have a pool and who are super fun too!
Monday, July 03, 2006
weekend update
Spent the day at the beach on Saturday. YES!!! Really needed the ocean air and sand between my toes. The shells were everywhere -- big and small -- and every so often you'd find a shark's tooth. Those are the hot items for the summer. Ted and I played with our little nephew Matt. He recently sliced his fingers on the ladder at the pool so he has to keep his right hand dry. The kid is living at the beach for the summer so it is not an easy feat. I read an entire magazine in one sitting while my brother-in-law, Todd, read through a legal document for work. It was nice to just sit back and feel the sun and wind while soaking in the latest issue of "Body + Soul." I saw a little of the World Cup game. So sad about the UK. They played so well and I really thought they were going to win. :-( We all went to Cruisers for dinner, home of the best cheeseburger in the world. It was a great time...I couldn't help but sing all of the songs they were playing. Cyndi Lauper's Time After Time, I Promise, Keep Me Hanging On...Good stuff!Sunday was an important day. It was the first time I had been back to the cemetery since the funeral. I needed to go alone. On the way, I picked up some daisies (her favorite flower) and laid them on her grave. All of the emotions of the last time I was there came rushing back. I miss her. I really, really miss her. We all do. Things are not complete without her.
We drove back late afternoon...it was unclear what time we'd get on the road. I had already arranged to come back early since I originally had things to do. Since that changed, I decided to go out to Showalter Field and kick the soccer ball around for a bit with the Sunday Scrimmage crew. There were about four girls there this time. I found myself really connecting with the ball and being there. There are games when you just can't seem to be where you need to be...Well, this was the total opposite. I had some really good plays just because I was there. It was awesome. Let's hope Wednesdays game will be just as good in the area of connection.
Sunday, July 02, 2006
where's your spirit?
Interesting read in an article by Sally Kempton.
You know your spiritual IQ is climing when you:
-- notice that you're less bothered by the ups and downs of your life
-- remember to ask for grace and guidance from God and are open to receiving them
-- realize that you are happier and more peaceful when you stop trying to control every situation
-- recognize that living from your own essence is more important than getting the approval of others
-- find it easier to forgive your parents, your ex, the coach who bullied you in high school and yourself
-- wake up some mornings feeling gratitude for no reason
-- treat feelings of anger, jealousy and blame as signals to do self-inquiry and take time to look into what's behind those feelings
-- develop a time for prayer, mindful awareness, self-inquiry and silent contemplation
-- know how to tap into His strength so that you're less fearful of situations and outcomes that used to scare you
-- experience feelings of equality, kinship and concern for other people, animals and the earth
-- are less afraid to speak the truth -- and know how to do it gently
-- above all, feel a growing connection to being more and more spiritual
...spiritual intelligence is our instinct for looking beyond appearances to find out what's really important. Some people are born with that knowingness; the rest of us may need to uncover it through trial and error. Yet any moment can be the one when our innate spiritual intelligence wakes us up to the mystery -- the realization that one energy pervades us all.
Saturday, July 01, 2006
dealing with anger
I read the following in the paper and thought it was something to chew on. Anger is bad but even worse than anger is not knowing how to deal with it in a healthy way.
Put a lid on anger before it boils over
Doug Worgul
The Kansas City Star
You can nurture a relationship for years and ruin it in a moment, if you can't control your temper. Here are some tried and true tactics for keeping cool when tempers get hot from experts at The American Psychological Association (apa.org), Mayo Clinic (mayoclinic.com) and Center for the Advancement of Health (cfah.org):
1 -- The best way to keep your head is to hold your tongue. When you're angry, anything you say can and will be used against you. If not now, in some future argument. Better to just say nothing. Don't be goaded into saying something mean or hurtful. It won't help. And you'll regret it.
2 -- Ask for more information. Many arguments stem from poor communication. Clarification is better than confrontation.
3 -- Avoid using inflammatory language. If you must speak, don't curse, don't insult, don't question motives or intelligence, and don't bring up past offenses.
4 -- Take the high road. Admit you were wrong, even if you weren't. Promise to try harder. Say you're sorry.
5 -- Get a second opinion. Talk to someone about the argument to get a more objective perspective on the disagreement.
6 -- Know thyself. Know the issues and circumstances to which you respond with anger or frustration. If you can't avoid these, devise a plan for responding calmly.
7 -- Take a deep breath and smile. This will help you stay in control and drain away ill will.
8 -- Consider what's at stake. Maybe it's your marriage, your job or your relationship with a child, sibling or friend. Ask yourself if the expression of your temporary feelings of anger are worth the risk of permanently damaging a relationship you value.
9 -- Work it out. Go for a long walk or bike ride. Go play a game of racquetball. Go lift weights. Use exercise to exorcise those bad feelings.
10 -- Get a good night's sleep. You're more likely to get mad or feel attacked when you've not had enough rest. You're also less able to control your tongue. See item No. 1.
Put a lid on anger before it boils over
Doug Worgul
The Kansas City Star
You can nurture a relationship for years and ruin it in a moment, if you can't control your temper. Here are some tried and true tactics for keeping cool when tempers get hot from experts at The American Psychological Association (apa.org), Mayo Clinic (mayoclinic.com) and Center for the Advancement of Health (cfah.org):
1 -- The best way to keep your head is to hold your tongue. When you're angry, anything you say can and will be used against you. If not now, in some future argument. Better to just say nothing. Don't be goaded into saying something mean or hurtful. It won't help. And you'll regret it.
2 -- Ask for more information. Many arguments stem from poor communication. Clarification is better than confrontation.
3 -- Avoid using inflammatory language. If you must speak, don't curse, don't insult, don't question motives or intelligence, and don't bring up past offenses.
4 -- Take the high road. Admit you were wrong, even if you weren't. Promise to try harder. Say you're sorry.
5 -- Get a second opinion. Talk to someone about the argument to get a more objective perspective on the disagreement.
6 -- Know thyself. Know the issues and circumstances to which you respond with anger or frustration. If you can't avoid these, devise a plan for responding calmly.
7 -- Take a deep breath and smile. This will help you stay in control and drain away ill will.
8 -- Consider what's at stake. Maybe it's your marriage, your job or your relationship with a child, sibling or friend. Ask yourself if the expression of your temporary feelings of anger are worth the risk of permanently damaging a relationship you value.
9 -- Work it out. Go for a long walk or bike ride. Go play a game of racquetball. Go lift weights. Use exercise to exorcise those bad feelings.
10 -- Get a good night's sleep. You're more likely to get mad or feel attacked when you've not had enough rest. You're also less able to control your tongue. See item No. 1.
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