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"Inside Out"

Too my boys to see the movie "Inside Out" last night. Wow. If you haven't seen it, don't worry I won't spoil it for you.  But bring your kleenex.  I cried like a baby.

It was very sad.

It deals with the emotions of the 11-year old main character Riley.  Her parents have just moved her across the country from Minnesota to San Fransisco because of her father's new job and she's not happy.  She's dealing with all the emotions that go along with that  - Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, Disgust - and those all the five characters who live inside her brain that run those emotions for her.

The reviews for the movie are all over the place.  Many people are saying this is the best Pixar movie ever.  Others are saying that it was too sad and deep for a children's movie.  I don't want my blog to turn into a movie review, but I would say it was definately not the best Pixar movie ever made (I would give that to Cars), but I also would not say it was too deep, or too sad for a children's movie. One reviewer said her and her 6 year old had to leave the movie because her daughter was sobbing so bad. I think it's crazy that a 6 year old could understand the depth of the emotions involved in the movie, but perhaps.

I think it was a great showcase of how everyone - especially kids - use all their emotions on a daily basis to make decisions and without all our emotions we cannot grow and we cannot learn from our mistakes.  And sometimes being sad is a good thing.

We left the movie last night talking about our emotions - it's always hard having two boys.  But I made sure they knew it's okay to be sad, angry, disgusted at times, but that your emotions should all work closely together to eventually come to a happy place.

Even if the day starts out crappy, your emotions should help you find a way to know that in the end, it will always be a beautiful day!

Life Lessons

I love these and I pretty much follow them in my life. A woman named Regina Brett wrote down these life lessons the night before her 45th birthday after being diagnosed with breast cancer. It's something we should all follow each and every day. It will make your days that much more beautiful!

LIFE LESSONS:

1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.
8. Save for retirement, starting with your first paycheck.
9. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
10. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.
11. It’s OK to let your children see you cry.
12. Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
13. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.
14. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.
15. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.
16. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.
17. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
18. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.
19. Burn the candles; use the nice sheets; wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
20. Overprepare, then go with the flow.
21. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.
22. The most important sex organ is the brain.
23. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
24. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: “In five years, will this matter?”
25. Forgive everyone everything.
26. What other people think of you is none of your business.
27. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
28. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
29. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
30. Believe in miracles.
31. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.
32. Growing old beats the alternative — dying young.
33. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
34. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
35. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.
36. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
37. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
40. The best is yet to come.
41. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.
42. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
43. If you don’t ask, you don’t get.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.

Time is Flying By

Summer is almost upon us.  Two more days.

Time The school year once again went so fast.  It always does.  I soon have a 7th grader and a 3rd grader! Only 6 summers left until my oldest goes to college!  OMG!

I will cry on Monday.  I cry at the end of every school year.  I don't know why I get so emotional.  It's hard for a mother to see her children get older.

As we get older, time goes by so fast.  I remember when I was pregnant with my first born, people would tell me "cherish every moment - it goes by so fast".  I kind of brushed it off.  What are they talking about?  Then next thing I knew it was 4 years later and I had another child.  And now it's 8 years later and I'm trying to slow down time.

The days are long, but the years are short.  Don't let time fly by.  Cherish each and every day with your loved ones and know that you never know if today will be your last.  Tell them you love them.  Call your mom, your dad, your grandma, your siblings.  Tell them how much they mean to you or just call them to say hi.

Make it a beautiful day to them or to a stranger.  It will help slow down time and you can enjoy it a little bit more.

 

My List of Freelance Writing Thanks....

 

CLIENT THANKS

I’m thankful for clients.
I’m thankful for clients – who pay.
I’m thankful for clients – who pay on time.
I’m thankful for clients – who pay what I’m worth.
I’m thankful for clients – who pay their thanks to me.
I’m thankful for clients – who have values.
I’m thankful for clients – who realize my value.
I’m thankful for clients – who have ideas.
I’m thankful for clients – who have no idea.
I’m thankful for clients – who know when to give up their ideas.
I’m thankful for clients – who know what they want.
I’m thankful for clients – who know when they don’t know what they want.
I’m thankful for clients – who let me do my job.
I’m thankful for clients – who realize writing IS a job.
I’m thankful for clients – who realize writing is MY job.

 

FRIEND THANKS

I’m thankful for friends – who realize I write for a living.
I’m thankful for friends – who don’t ask me to work for free.
I’m thankful for friends – who don’t tell me to “get a real job.”
I’m thankful for friends – who understand I can't do out during dry spells.
I’m thankful for friends – who seek my input on how to “do what I do” for a living.

 

FAMILY THANKS

I’m thankful for family – who respect my working hours.
I’m thankful for family – who encourage me to pursue my dream.
I’m thankful for family – who ignore me when I’m on deadline.
I’m thankful for family – who know I love them, even when I’m on deadline.
I’m thankful for family – who realize that my computer really is a person to me.
I’m thankful for family – who know I’m a professional, even in my fuzzy slippers.
I’m thankful for family – who encourage my curiosity, which drives me to explore other cultures.
I’m thankful for family – who instilled a good work ethic, which allows me to grow a successful business.

TECHNOLOGY THANKS

I’m thankful for technology – that allows me to live and work from anywhere.
I’m thankful for technology – that does what it’s supposed to.
I’m thankful for technology – that doesn’t crash!
I’m thankful for technology – that is cheap and easily available.

FREELANCE WRITING DEADLINE THANKS

I’m thankful for deadlines – that are met early.
I’m thankful for deadlines – that pass (even when I make it by the skin of my teeth).
I’m thankful for deadlines – that pass with pay.

 

MONEY THANKS

I’m thankful for checks;
I’m thankful for checks – that come in the mail,
I’m thankful for checks – that come in the mail on time;
I’m thankful for checks – that come in the mail on time in my name;

I’m thankful for direct deposits;
I’m thankful for direct deposits – in my name;
I’m thankful for bills – that are paid;
I’m thankful for bills – that are paid on time;
I’m thankful for bills – that are paid on time in my name.

 

WORK THANKS

I’m thankful for work.
I’m thankful for work – that matters.
I’m thankful for work – that I love.
I’m thankful for work – that I love that pays.
I’m thankful for work – that I love that pays that I can do from anywhere.

 

PERSONAL THANKS

I’m thankful for the gift of writing.
I’m thankful for the gift of writing – for a living.
I’m thankful for the gift of writing – words that matter.
I’m thankful for the gift of writing – just for me.
I’m thankful for the gift of writing – love notes to those who matter.

I’m thankful for the gift of writing – to help others.
I’m thankful for the gift of writing – down what I’m thankful for.
I’m thankful for the gift of being able to self-publish — and hence control the rights to — the words I write.
Borrowed from Yuwanda Black's blog

I've got a long way to go before I have 30 people over on Thursday!  But it will all turn out okay!

Happy Thanksgiving!

~ Suzanne

Rid of Diet....?

So - with my 10 week bootcamp I am only drinking water. (except on my cheat day - then a few DRINKS!)

BUT...

No coffee.

No diet coke.

Yes.  You read that right.  No coffee.  No diet coke.

I have read SO much about how bad diet coke is for you.  I don't know...sure.  It probably really is. But so are french fries, pizza, non organic stuff, corn syrup, even beer and wine.  The list goes on and on.

I'm not looking for a debate.  But I think EVERYTHING is okay in moderation.

I wasn't drinking a case of diet coke a day.  Some days I never even had one.  Other days, maybe 2 or 3.

But I'm trying.  I'm trying to rid my body of those "bad toxins".  Do I feel better?  I don't know.  I am sore and always hungry from working out every day! LOL but feel good because I'm eating healthy and drinking lots and lots of water (100+ oz a day!)

Have my headaches been better?  I don't see a change quite yet.  I've woken up with one migraine in the past 11 days. That's about average for what I have been having lately.

The first three or four days of the boot camp I had a headache every day - caffeine withdrawal?  Or just the toxins being released from my body with the workouts?  Who's to know.  I helped the headaches with Excedrin Migraine - so that has caffeine in it but not the aspartame and other artificial things.

We'll see if I can keep it up.  I know I will be so much healthier if I rid myself of the diet coke.  But when I do go get my Portillos or other fast food lunch or dinner (everything in moderation remember?  Or on my cheat day) WHAT will I have to drink?  Water?  Boring. But I guess I will try it!! Doesn't hurt....

I hope this will help the migraines.  Because it's a beautiful day when I don't wake up with a migraine at 3 or 4 am!

Five Days Down!

So, I started a 10 week "boot camp" on Monday.  It's an extreme bodyshaping workout.  6 days a week. 3 days of kickboxing, 2 days of upper body with resistance bands and 1 day of lower body with resistance bands at 6am.

I have a few friends who have been doing the program for months.  I wanted to join sooner but frankly I could not afford it (still can't). I'm able to do it now because I won the membership in a raffle!! Yeah me.

So, I'm five days into the program.  55 more workout days to go.  I'm sore.  But it's a good sore.

Now, I don't have a ton of weight to lose, but I'm hoping this program will kick my butt back into shape and make me look and feel fabulous.

See, I turn 40 in September.  My goal this year was to be in the best shape of my life when I hit that milestone and thank goodness I won that raffle because I don't think working out at home, on my own, would not have been enough!

It's been a good week.  I'm not as sore as I though I'd be. And I've been eating healthy all week. No junk this week and water has been the only beverage!  Not even coffee.  Yikes!

Until tomorrow.

Best part of the program?

CHEAT DAY!!

That's right.  One day a week you can have a cheat day.  Eat and drink anything  you want, as much as you want. Hip Hip Horray!! I can't wait.

Although I'm not sure what I'm craving most. Sweet or Salty!  But I am definitely craving and ready for a few alcoholic beverages!

Tomorrow is going to be a beautiful day! LOL

It's LITERALLY going to be a beautiful day!

"It's going to be a perfect day, with nothing but sunshine and highs in the 70s" ~ according to the Chicago Tribune Facebook post today.

Summer is almost half over.  We have survived!  With two boys (7 and 11) I was a little worried. But they are getting along great this year.  Maybe because they are getting older!

My freelance work has picked up, I have two new clients and am applying for more everyday!  I hope that I will have enough work to be full-time and still enjoy the kids while working from home.  It's been a bit of a struggle at times this summer, but I usually get up nice and early and work for a few hours in the morning, allowing us the entire afternoon to play.  Then sometimes I work at night - the benefits of freelancing!  As long as the work gets done I can complete it at any time.

Who knew that five years ago I would be able to work at home doing what I love and make a living (smaller living, but it's a living!)  I am truly blessed and thankful each and every day. 

A couple more hours of work, then off to enjoy this BEAUTIFUL day.

TGIF

I am so happy it's Friday.  It's been a stressful week.

Yesterday I had a 16 hour migraine. I woke up with one at 5 am and it finally broke at about 9pm last night. Thankfully I did not wake up with on, just that exhausted tired feeling, which I call the migraine hangover.

Work has been stressful. Lots of it and over demanding clients. I shouldn't say too much more.

We had to buy a new car this week.  My husband's 13 year old Dodge Dakota finally bit the dust.  It was good to us.  After 157,000 and lots of rust, the engine finally died.  We got a 2013 Toyota Tacoma and a hefty car payment to go with it. So, now I'm glad I have work to be stressed about to help me pay for that new monthly bill!

Soccer has started.  Two kids, three teams, 5 practices and 3 games a week is enough to put me over the edge.  Then one kid has karate on top of it each week.  And 5th grade homework.  WOW.  That was 1.5 hours of H.E.L.L. last night - and that was just math.  That didn't include studying for a science quiz today. Granted, this was advanced math. But wow.  5th grade took a  sharp turn that we were not prepared for.

Oh, and tomorrow I start the last year of my 30s. Wow. 39. It's a little scary.  I know it's just a number, but you remember being a kid and when someone was 40 they were OLD.  That's me soon. Oh, but the day of celebrating will be soccer games, school picnic and sending my husband off for his week long convention for work!  Happy birthday to me! Such is the life of being a mom and wife!

But as I sit here and complain about the week, I think about the day before my birthday - which would have been my grandparents 66th wedding anniversary. I tear up missing my grandma, nearly six weeks after her death, but I also smile remembering their 50th wedding anniversary celebration and remember all the fun we had and how lucky we were to have the opportunity to celebrate their 50th! Here we all are with my grandma and grandpa right in the middle of their wonderful family with their royal blue shirts on!

That was indeed a beautiful day!

Today starts an emotional weekend for our family.
Tomorrow we will celebrate the life of my grandmother who passed away on July 21.
Born on January 10, 1923, she lived a long, remarkable 90 years.

Many people don't even get the chance to get to know their grandparents, or even meet them.

I was blessed to have her in my life for the past 38 years.
My husband felt lucky when he came into my family - he got to have grandparents again (his all passed away when he was young).

We were a close family - having lived near her, or with her, our entire lives.
She was a sweet, gentle, kind, loving woman who loved roses and the colors pink and purple.
In honor of her love for those colors, the family is wearing pink and purple to her memorial tomorrow.

I know that my grandfather, who passed away in 2002, was happy to (finally) see her after all these years.
I can hear him saying when she arrived "Lorraine, what took you so long?"
Oh, the stories she has for him.
Since he passed, 7 great grand children were born and 5 grandchildren got married - and many more family weddings and births!!
She recently said to me, she never thought she'd live to be 90, but boy was she glad she did! "Think of all the things I would have missed," she said.

Last summer we celebrated her 90th birthday - almost the entire family was here. We had a professional photographer take tons and tons of pictures - we are so blessed and will be displaying those pictures tomorrow.

At that celebration, my grandmother had me design this saying in the shape of a circle, with a heart in the center - everyone has it framed to forever remember the celebration and her:

Our family is a circle of strength and love
With every birth and every union the circle grows
Every joy started adds more love
Every crisis faced together makes the circle stronger
May our circle always be strong


As hard as the weekend will be, and I will shed many tears, I know she is free of pain, happy to be reunited with my grandpa (and her dog) and the sun will be shining down on us tomorrow helping make it a beautiful day to honor her long life and the family she created.


Love ya Grandma and I miss you already.


http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/dailyherald/obituary.aspx?n=lorraine-agnes-pfursich&pid=166292995#fbLoggedOut

15 days....

Yes I am counting down to the end of summer!  It has gone fast.  We have had a ball.  But it's time for it to be over.

It's not me, it's them (I swear!).  My boys are driving each other crazy.  They are sick of each other. They are missing their schedules, their friends, their learning (my oldest who will be in 5th grade didn't know how many hours it was from 11:30 to 1:30....he said 3!)  Time to go back to school.

And I only have 15 days to get them back on a good sleep schedule.  Gone are the nights that they stay up until 10 or 11 pm and sleep until 9 or 10 am....oh dear.

Luckily my oldest has art camp next week which starts at 9am each day, so it will be early to bed and early to rise which will help.

But as always, it's a beautiful day and I am thankful that I am able to enjoy the summer with them while I work from home.  I get up early (6am) and work for a few hours before we go do fun summer activities each day.  And there have been plenty of lazy days where we haven't even gotten out of our pajamas (and dare I say I just let them play on electronics all day which I surfed the net!?)

But the fighting, bickering and wrestling has got to stop.  I am looking forward to routines, schedules, soccer practice, piano lessons and after school clubs!

Wait, it's really 14 days and 17 hours! Ahh...it IS a beautiful day!

Love this!!

"How to Make a Beautiful Life"

Love yourself.
Make peace with who you are
And where you are
At this moment in time.
Listen to your heart.
If you can’t hear what it’s saying
In this noisy world,
Make time for yourself.
Enjoy your own company.
Let you mind wander among the stars.
Try.
Take chances.
Make mistakes.
Life can be messy
And confusing at times,
But it’s also full of surprises.
The next rock in your path
Might be a stepping stone.
Be happy.
When you don’t have what you want,
Want what you have.
Make do
That’s a well-kept secret of contentment.
There aren’t any shortcuts to tomorrow.
You have to make your own way.
To know where you are going
Is only part of it.
You need to know where you’ve been, too.
And if you ever get lost, don’t worry.
The people who love you will find you.
Count on it.
Life isn’t days and years.
It’s what you do with time
And with all the goodness and grace
That’s inside you.
Make a Beautiful life…
The kind of life you deserve.

~Unknown

Giving Thanks

November. The month of Thanksgiving. The month to give thanks. Many friends are doing daily thanks on FaceBook - are you? I'm not, but I am thankful for so much:

1. My husband - he works so hard to provide for us and has worked so hard to get where he is today. I am so proud of him.

2. My kids - they are happy and healthy and I am forever grateful for that. They drive me crazy every day too, but they also make me laugh and cry every day too.

3. My health - sure, I've got lots of weird issues lately and aches and pains. But I am thus far cancer free, my heart is healthy, my brain is working and God decided to wake me up again today. I couldn't be happier!

4. My family - they are wonderful and all live so close! That could be a curse too (we get together a little too often!) but really, I wouldn't have it any other way! Many people don't see their siblings and parents but only a couple times a year...I'm thankful I'm not one of them (although one parents lives far - we're still able to see them a few times a year!)

5. My house - love, love, love my house. After living here nearly 8 years, we are starting to do major work to make it our own. Plus the headache of moving the last time - I will NEVER move again...so I'd better love my house!

6. My local community - my neighbors rock! This community we live in is wonderful. Everyone is friends, our kids are friends and we all support each other in any way we can.

7. My writing - I love to write and love being able to express myself in my blogs, freelance writing and through my job!

8. The Internet - without the internet, I would not have some of my freelance work, would not be able to write my blogs...and who am I kidding - internet shopping rocks!! No lines, no crabby workers or customers!

Speaking of that...I should get started on my Christmas shopping! Make it a beautiful day!

Should I Wrap Myself in Bubble Wrap?

You remember when I had my "heart episode" this summer, right? Well, I'm happy to say that has all been cleared up - I was diagnosed with a rapid heart rate and given some medicine to help and it has helped so far.

But then a few weeks ago I started having pain in my right foot. Right on the top of the foot. Felt bruised (I didn't do anything). I let it go for about 2 weeks, but then went to podiatrist (a friend who told me it could be a stress fracture...!) Luckily the X-rays came back normal and the bone was just bruised (how did that happen?!) She gave me some inserts and it's much better after two weeks, not perfect, but much better. I think I'm going to start working out again...but then....

I did a good deed yesterday and cut the grass for my husband. While cutting the backyard next to the wood pile, apparently I ran over a stick. The lawn mower didn't like the stick and it spit it out right towards my calf. OUCH! Now I have a lovely, swollen, red mark that turned black and blue within 20 minutes! It's a lovely shade of purple today and boy does it hurt.

This has happened to me before. Yep. It was like deja vu. When I was in 8th grade, I was cutting my great grandma's grass and the lawn mower found a cue ball (yes, a cue ball that you use in pool) and it cut it in half and spit it out right at my chin bone. Talk about pain!! That was awful - worse than the stick yesterday!

WHY do these things happen to me? I feel like I should wrap myself in bubble wrap for awhile! LOL

Lucky for me, I'm not as worse off as my mom. She fell a week ago and twisted her ankle (or so she thought). After a few days of it getting worse she went to the doctor and found out she broke her foot. She had surgery yesterday to have a screw put in and has to stay off her feet for 3 weeks!

So, it could be worse (sorry mom). Luckily mine is just a bruise and my foot is feeling better. Going to get to the gym tomorrow I hope! As long as I don't get hurt for awhile it will be a beautiful day!

Have a Garbage Free Day!

Giving credit where credit it due - I totally stole from a friends Facebook status...but I love it and it is yet another reason to remember it's a beautiful day!

One day I hopped in a taxi and took off for the airport.

We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us.

My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches.

The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us.

My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy.
And I mean, he was really friendly.

So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us ... to the hospital'

This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, "The Law of the Garbage Truck"

He explained that many people are like garbage trucks.

They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment.

As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you.

Don't take it personally.

Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on.

Don't take their garbage and spread it to people at work, at home, or on the streets.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day.

Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so...

Love the people who treat you right;

Pray for the ones who don't.

Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!!!

Have a garbage free day and make it a Beautiful Day!

Another School Year Has Begun

The summer is officially over! And we survived!

Actually, we had a great summer. We were so busy. Went on lots of trips which helped. But it went by way too quickly (as always).

My oldest son started 3rd grade. I cannot believe it. He's officially an "upper classman" at this middle school (LOL). After day one yesterday, he was practically the first one out of the school, running to me, jumped into my arms (that's our tradition every day...he runs, jumps and I pick him up - blessed that he still wants to do that!) and told me it was a GREAT first day and "my teacher is SO nice!" Ahh...happy boy, happy mom!

My four year old starts Pre-K next week. As much of a trouble maker he is, I am so blessed to have one more year until he starts Kindergarten. I was getting teary eyed this morning walking home from dropping off my oldest, thinking next year I'll be walking home alone. It goes by so fast and I want to cherish the next year!

He'll be gone four mornings a week, which is plenty of time to myself for one more year. I am going to remember to enjoy his little voice, play video games and board games and remember it's a beautiful day. Next year I'll enjoy the peace. Until then...bring on the noise (and my trouble maker!)

Life Is Short

So, my brother in law shared this image on his FaceBook page today. I just had to steal it!

It's exactly what I've been blogging. And why I've been blogging.

It's your life. If you don't like something in it, change it. It might not be easy and it might take awhile to make changes...but no one is stopping you.

Don't complain about your problems. Fix them.

Enjoy every meal as if it's your last. Don't count calories every day. Savor the sweets, the salty, the rich.

Have a glass of wine (or two). Or have that beer or heavens even hard liquor. Enjoy it with friends, family and loved ones. You might not have a tomorrow to do it.

Remember every decision you make if only yours to make. You don't have to explain it to anyone (okay, maybe your husband or wife) but do what makes you happy and deal with the consequences later.

Remember it's easier to ask for forgiveness than it is permission :)

But lastly, as the poster says - life is short, live your dream and share your passion. And remember...it's a beautiful day!

What's Really Important..

I think I have discussed this topic before. But it never gets old.

Lots has happened this summer that reminds me what's important in life.

About a month ago, I had an "episode". That's what I'm calling it. Racing/rapid heart rate, chest pressure and shortness of breath. Actually it happened twice.

The first day (a Tuesday) it came and went within 30 minutes. The boys and I had been at the pool all day. Then it happened while I was working out (after the pool). I thought I just overdid it. Was overheated, dehydrated, whatever.

The next day, it happened again. And I was just sitting at the table on the computer. But this time it didn't go away.

After several hours, I called my husband. Then I called my doctor who told me to go to the ER.

So the boys and I went. I took them with me because I thought it would be scarier for me to drop them off at someone's house and say "mommy will be back, I have to go to the hospital".

So, to make a very long story short my EKG, X-Ray and blood work all came back normal in the ER. I was sent home. A week later I followed up with a nuclear stress test. That too came back normal. So this says my heart is pumping blood normally and I'm not going to have a heart attack.

But luckily my doctor isn't just leaving it alone. He prescribed for me to wear a 24 hour heart monitor for 30 days. He wants to rule out problems with the electric conduction of the heart.

So, almost into my second week of wearing the heart monitor - no alarms have gone off yet but I have pushed the panic button a few times. But I am guessing it's nothing alarming, since they haven't called me to see my doctor or go to the ER.

This experience has all been very scary for me and my husband. My husband is worried enough about me, then just this week, he has received bad news having to do with three co-workers. One death and two terminally ill.

Reminds you what's important in life and to live life to the fullest and remember, it's a beautiful day!

Almost June?

Where has the time gone? Do you realize the year is almost half over...how many days until Christmas? It feels like it should be closer to winter than summer here today. It's in the 40s and rainy...hello!! It's the end of May!

Summer will come, right? We will have more than a couple days of warm weather right? We have a few 90s...then the temperature plummeted into the 50s. And rain...we've had lots and lots of rain.

Ahh...Summer. Last year I was panicked about it. Being home with my two boys...them fighting the entire summer. I had nightmares about it!

But it ended up being a great summer. As long as we keep busy, all is good. We'll be back at the pool this year - that helped...kept them separated a bit. And camps. Lots and lots of camps.

Between all of that and a few vacations I realized we only have about 4 weeks without anything planned!! I think it will go by so fast.

My youngest is already done with preschool. That ended last week. My oldest will be done with school in 11 days. They're counting down at school...actually so am I.

I am looking forward to our family vacations, the warm weather, getting a nice bronze look to my skin again (sorry I like being tan!) and squeezing in a few worksheets while we're at it.

My soon to be pre-K son wants to learn how to read. So we'll be starting with sight words this summer. We'll see if he and I have the patience to work together. I'm not going to push him hard...but we'll see where it goes.

And after spending $50 at The Chalkboard store, I hope my older son will be happy with his Presidential Puzzles workbook, math workbook and hidden puzzles book.

But our priorities this summer will be to have fun, relax and spend time with family and friends.

But first it needs to get warm and sunny. Then it will be a beautiful day! At least more beautiful than today!

Lucky to Have GG

Ahh...Mother's Day. The weather was beautiful and my boys were pretty good!! Not too much fighting or yelling...too bad I can't pull out the "stop it, it's mother's day..." every day. But I should be able to, shouldn't I?

This year, for the first time ever I started a new tradition. I was lucky enough to go out to a quiet dinner with my sister, mom and grandma on Saturday night. Without having to speak over the playing and trying to referee all the boys (I have two, my sister has 3) we were actually able to enjoy each other's company and conversation!

My grandma had a bit of a cold, but she did well. It was so nice to catch up. When we're normally all together, I hardly get 10 minutes to talk to her!

I tell my boys all the time they are so lucky to have a great grandma, not many kids do. I was lucky enough to have one too. My great grandma lived until I was a young adult. I didn't know anyone else growing up that had a great grandparent alive. It was such a pleasure!

I know my boys love their great grandma - they call her GG - and I think they realize how lucky they are. Exciting for them, she seems to always have a present for them! But most importantly they know she loves them with all her heart.

After quite a health scare with her in December, my new year's resolution was to call her once a week. I realized she isn't going to be here forever and I want to make sure I call, tell her about our week and make sure she knows I love her!

I also love hearing her reminisce about my grandpa (who died in 2002), talk about my mom's childhood and even our childhood. We lived with my grandparents for several years after my parents divorce when I was just a toddler.

I easily talk to my mom every day or every other day, but not my grandma. Of course - maybe that's because she's busier than me...volunteering and socializing with her friends and neighbors; and the weekly hair appointment and church! When I do call, she's hardly ever there!

But that makes me happy. It means she's feeling well enough to get out, and that makes it a beautiful day!