APRIL LOVE: An Inspiring Person

Day 11: I am inspired by a lot of people on a daily basis. Some I know, some I don't. It would be tough to pick just one since many provide bits and pieces of inspiration for me that make up a whole. So I choose to be inspired by my surroundings that include lots of people who are doing the best they can every day. They are following their dreams. Reaching their goals. Looking for happiness. Finding happiness. Believing in others. Believing in themselves. Realizing they can do it. Understanding and working through pain. Healing. Knowing nothing. Knowing everything. Being honest. Showing up. 

That's who inspires me...All of you who move in the world in your own way and contribute in your own style. As a result, you make big and small differences every day for me and for everyone around you.

Inspired by you,

APRIL LOVE: My Superpower

Mr. Wonderful's cat, Bib and Baby Girl back in the day

Day 10: Some of you may know or not know that I'm a cat juggler. It's my superpower. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't use this power for good for others. It's a blessing and a curse like most superpowers. I juggle a pretty active schedule (by choice) where I get to work hard, connect with friends, do Yoga (when I'm super lucky) and spend time with my family including two dogs which doesn't always bode well for cat juggling. You see, since I was a little girl, this has been my talent...Taking on three tasks at any given moment...Doing more than I probably should be. I remember thinking that all would change once I graduated college where I proceeded with a 20-plus credit hour schedule, two jobs, volunteering for community theater and whatever else I could find to keep me juggling. But nothing really changed...I just got better at this power. It translated well into my career and my relationships and when I got married and when I became a mother. It's as if this superpower would always be a necessary since life moves forward with so many opportunities to live it -- with or without you. I thrive on juggling but as I've grown up and become just a tad bit wiser, I realize that juggling is not how I need to show up for everything. Focusing on one person, one moment or one task at a time can bring so much more to the table than trying to do it all at once. And that is my close second when it comes to superpowers - reflecting. It's through my reflections, I totally get that it's OK to be "Juggling Lorelie" or "One-Thing-At-A-Time Lorelie." At the end of the day, it's still me and being yourself is a superpower that we should all strive to master.

Able to juggle and able to not,

April LOVE: 5 Years Ago

Day 9 - Five years ago, I was standing in the Metropolitan Museum of Art staring at this painting by Henri Matisse (oil on canvas) called "The Goldfish Bowl" that was created in 1921-1922. I do not own goldfish but I do love looking at them and the color and design they bring to art. This was painted in Matisse's apartment in the afternoon in Nice. I can see myself there.

Love to all the pretty goldfish,

April LOVE: From Where I Stand

8. From Where I Stand

Source: Pics Champ

I see lots of possibility and space. Time continues but no matter the daily challenge, I know that this moment is as precious as the next one that will be granted to me. So even though I'm sitting at my desk today, not standing, there is an inner rejoicing that extends beyond what I know and strengthens my hope for what is and will be.

Onward,

April LOVE: Susannah Conway Inspires Again!

Susannah Conway has called us together again to share some LOVE in April (#aprillove2015). Read the full post here.

Since I'm just jumping in now (April 7), I'll share what nourishes me...Laughter...Love letters...Yoga...Books...The sea...A great quote...Letters or cards from loved ones...Smiles...Colors...Flowers...Coffee (cream only)...A phone call with my best friend...Kindness shown when it's least expected...

As for the other days I missed...Here's a quick catch up:

1 - My morning view includes lots of trees and usually my dogs running through them in the backyard

2 - My favourite flowers are hydrangeas and peonies

3 - An Inspring Quote I came across recently was from Thomas Jefferson, "Friendship is precious, not only in the shade, but in the sunshine of life; and thanks to a benevolent arrangement of things, the greater part of life is sunshine."

4 - Shadows: Love shadows of people in the sand by the sea.

5 - My favourite color is green...all shades. Green is such a soothing color and to me it represents growth and reminds me to go/keep moving forward because time does that with or without you.

6 - Touch: Hugs from my baby girl are among some of the sweetest touches I receive these days.

Stay nourished friends,

Celebrating Thomas!

Had a great time with Thomas and Ashelee as we celebrated Thomas' 25th birthday but in real years, he's actually like 55. We went to Dubsdread in Orlando. I think we were the youngest people there. It was a good time, great food and happy hour (Guinness-style) was on!

So happy to be friends with two of the most thoughtful and sweet people I know.

To many more years,

Spring Season with the VooDoo

The beloved VooDoo Posse (my rec soccer team) has started a new season for the Spring. So far, the team has played two games and won both. After almost a decade of being on this team, it's great to look back and see how we've all changed over the years and have some have not changed. We are known as the fun team and we are totally OK with that since at the end of the day, you should have a good time with whatever you do even in the spirit of competition.

Long live the VooDoo!

Celebrating Emily and Thinking of Bonnie

Bonnie with Baby Girl in 2008 at the home of Geri & Lee Evans. 

My dear friend and colleague Bonnie lost her mother recently. Today, I read her mom's obituary which she wrote herself right after she was diagnosed. It is one of the most beautiful, funny, sentimental and authentic tributes I've ever seen. Read Emily Phillips obituary here.

I want to extend my deepest sympathies to Bonnie and her family. My love, thoughts and prayers are with you.

A big thank you to your mom for bringing you into this world, and for such a precious reminder that you are born, you blink and then it's over. 

So sorry for your loss,

Celebrating Soluna

Happy Birthday to my dear friend Soluna! It's a special day since it's the day you were born. Even though we just got back from the Shire, I hope you continue celebrating and living life to the fullest the way you do.

Happiness is having a friend like you,

Yoga & Brunch for my Birthday

Every year I try to do a little something different to celebrate another trip around the sun. Last year was DRIP which was quite unique. So for 2015, I decided to do something that would be invigorating and refreshing - YOGA & Brunch. Yes, happy birthday to me!

We all gathered at Sweetwater Yoga & Fitness on March 15th at 10 a.m. Nearly a dozen of the bravest souls of all varied experience levels showed up and did what was probably one of the most challenging warm yoga classes I've taken in awhile. After yoga, we headed to my place where Mr. Wonderful whipped up a beautiful brunch that included a new egg casserole recipe, asparagus, spanikopita, grilled parsley citrus turkey, pigs in a blanket, bacon, fruit and veggies. We also had cake from 4Rivers Sweet Shop! One double chocolate chip and the other green velvet (like a red velvet but all GREEN).

Thank you to Theo L., Rawesome, Lori, Laura, Katharine, Nicole, Brianna, Joelle, Catherine and Chaun for joining me for Birthday Yoga. 

A special THANKS to Shannon for an amazing class and to her super handstanding hubby for taking the above picture and for just being so darn supportive. 

And bigs hugs to my baby brother for showing up and helping Mr. Wonderful put on a good spread and for keeping every dish clean and probably washing a few of them twice or three times.

It was a great day full of love, warmth, friendship, laughter, fun, vinyasas and sugar!

To another year around the sun!

Breathing deeply,

Orlando City Soccer goes MLS

The VooDoo and friends at the first Orlando City Soccer Club's regular season game as a new team to the MLS

What a great day to be in Orlando. Beautiful weather. Great fans. And SOCCER!

#GoCity

Day SIX: T is For...

T is for...

THEODORE

Theodore has become a special name to me over the years...My one and only brother is named Theodore and he goes by "Theo" for short. In 2001, I started hanging out with another Theodore who goes by "Ted" and he eventually became my husband. Mr. Wonderful aka Ted is also a junior so his dad's name is Theodore as well. In 2006, my nephew was born and because the name was already out there as the #1 choice for our immediate family, my brother named his first and only, Theodore. He goes by TJ for short which is very cute since when my brother was a wee babe, he went by TG.

All of the Theodores in my life except for my father-in-law are in the picture above with another very special man, my Uncle Bob. These are the men that fill my heart and family with love, kindness, comedy, great food and celebration. I love them all dearly.

#DecemberReflections

Love to all of my Theodores,

Day Five: Leaves

December Reflections Photo Challenge

5. Leaves

Sunrise in the Sunshine State through the leaves and the Spanish moss. It never ceases to amaze me and compel me to take a million pictures like this. It's as if the sun is inviting me to celebrate a new day and every possibility that is before me. 

Celebrating the sunlight on us and before us, 

Day Four: Red

December Reflections Photo Challenge

Day 4: Red

I love red peppers and I love grape tomatoes. Most vegetables, I love. What I do not love is having to cook or chop or dice or cube. I have no idea how to chop vegetables properly (exhibit A above). This year, we tried Hello Fresh as a family.

Hello Fresh sends you a box of meal ingredients that includes everything you need minus olive oil and salt. You follow the recipe card usually a few easy steps with pictures (my favorite), and at the end of about 20-30 minutes of prep and cooking, you should have a delicious meal full of fresh vegetables, herbs and lots of flavor.

Well in the case of the red peppers and other vegetables, this meal turned out really well. One of our faves. My baby girl even jumped in to help prepare dinner with me.

Baby girl helping with cooking the vegetables.

The finished product before plating the meal. 

Dinner is served! Thanks baby girl and Hello Fresh!

If you're interested in checking out Hello Fresh, use my code: L9QBZU.

Enjoy your dinner!

Day Three: Best Day of 2014

December Reflections Photo Challenge

3. Best Day of 2014 - Today!

I have a calendar hanging in my office. It's pretty small and has been with me through 2014. It's titled TODAY Is Day One and is the artist series featuring photography by Carl Christensen. It starts by telling me along with a gorgeous photo of flowers that look almost like cotton, "Life is what you make it." In January, in a beautiful turquoise and peach background, it says "Choose Happy." For February, featured near a row of old mailboxes likely on a country road somewhere, is the reminder to "Surround yourself with love." March - my favorite month of the year for many reasons, with a row of bright pink flowering trees, the calendar tells me "You are extraordinary." In April, above a field of beautiful wild flowers at dusk, it says "Be mindful of others." May, in a nest with one small bird egg - "Today is day one." June brings a field of sunflowers for summer and confirms that you should look around since "Beauty is all around you." For July, "Time cannot be hurried" is placed high in a blue sky above a pier on the ocean. August is a carnival scene with "Play is the secret of lasting youth." September is a big huge dandelion and above it, instructions to "Dare to dream." October is a photo of an old camera (Clack brand/Made in Germany) with the words "Revel in the beauty of each moment" above it. November is an old truck with New Jersey plates sitting in a wooded area asking us to "Remember to be who you are."

So for day three's reflection, I choose TODAY as the best day of 2014 as I'm reminded by the months that TODAY is everything and holds possibilities and beauty and breath and the opportunity to be whatever you want to be and choose whatever you need.

To your TODAY and all that it holds, 

Day Two: Light

December Reflections  

(Jump in and join this month's photo challenge! It's not too late.)

2. Light

This photo was taken at a friend's wedding in April. The wedding event team (since I know this type of work takes a team/small village) transformed a neutral colored gym into a Pinterest looking wedding venue full of candles and white lights. It really was breathtaking. The lighting really made it all so special. Now the same couple are expecting a baby in a few weeks. Wishing them and you, light and love on this second day of December.

Enjoy every day, 

December Reflections 2014: Day One

Here we are! It's December and Susannah Conway has posted the very first December Reflections challenge to "close the year out in style." Challenge accepted. To kick this off right, here's reflection numero uno below. Enjoy!

1. Drink

This is my Miami Dolphins cup full of water. I drank from it today on my way to the office. In addition to sporting the cup, I'm wearing the shirt and the socks to support the team during Monday Night Football as they take on the Jets in New York. My family and I will be watching the game later tonight.

#FinsUp #StrongerTogether

Happy December! 

BINGO with the Orlando City

Had the pleasure of attending a Ladies Luncheon where I got to play Bingo and hang out with the Orlando City Soccer Club. Ashelee and I took the above photo with some of the players. All of the tables had different themes...Ours was "Cowgirls with a Soccer Problem." Along with Ashelee, I got to party it up with Giselle, Kimberly S. Kimberly M., Sue, a friend of Sue's and Cassandra. What a blast! Can't wait to go back next year!

Yes, I'm a Cowgirl with a Soccer Problem!

Happy Blogiversary...Number NINE!

It seems kind of crazy that it has been 9...NINE years since I first started blogging here at Dragonfly.

I have loved having this space to express and share and connect. Looking back, it wasn't clear what I would really be doing here. Just wanted to have my own blog because it reminded me of my passion of journaling. Since then, I've been able to record my days and moments...The big, the small, the good, the not so good. Mostly, I've been able to capture the celebrations of life and the people who fill my heart...many of them live here next to the words I pieced together on that day over the last nine years, and they even make repeat appearances.

For this space, I am grateful.

For those who stop by every so often, I thank you.

For every word, and every post in the near future, I appreciate you and do not take anything for granted.

Epcot Food & Wine with the VooDoo aka My Soccer Team

The only photo we took as a group and it doesn't include the newly newlyweds Dex and Ashley. This is the fourth year (that I can remember) that we've gone to the Food & Wine Festival as a team. Awesome day!