When I Feel Like I'm Not Doing a Damn Thing Right:

Good Morning!

I can't decide if this coffee thing (I have never been a coffee person but find that I am loving it now- just one single cup in the morning) is going to stick or not.  I love it, but only with tons of cream and sugar.  All that sugar can't be a good thing for me.  And I just know that I could never drink it black.  I may switch to tea again but for right now I am enjoying the warm, yummy goodness that is coffee inside my belly.  :)  Happy Friday!

This Moment is Your Life

Yes, this is what I'm feeling today!  I recently returned from my solo vacation to St. George Island, FL and Panama City Beach, FL and I had an amazing time.  I had lots of time for R&R&R (rest, relaxation and reflection).  When I returned I saw that Sam was doing so much better.  This really makes me happy- maybe I will go away more often! :)

Being Gentle With Myself

 I really need to meditate on this today:
 
I am notorious for being hard on myself.  I must remember that life is a journey, not a destination (another great quote, by the way).

What to Do on a Beautiful Saturday in October?

Should I go to Ketner's Mill?
http://www.ketnersmill.org/www



Or maybe take Peanut across the walking bridge downtown?

Jason Mraz is WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW!

Okay, this singer/songwriter Jason Mraz is just incredible!  First of all he has an excellent voice. I mean, the cat can SING.  He is energetic and has a love for life that you can just feel when you hear or see him.  I discovered him by accident when I was turning channels on the tele.  On Palladia channel there was a concert of him and he was seriously grooving.  I recorded it and since then I have watched it about 100 times, lol!  I actually use it as an workout video when I'm on my treadmill and I sing along and shake my booty.  I also ordered the CD/DVD of this concert and I listen to it at work.  A lot.

The music is reggae-ish, sexy, fresh and rockin'.  Very danceable.  I like that Jason interacts with his fans, not just at concerts but on his blog (Freshness Factor Five Thousand) and via facebook, myspace and twitter.  I'm sure if you stopped him on the street he would be super cool as well and chat with you for a bit. 

I had the opportunity to see him in concert this past month in Greenville, SC at the Peace Center on September 21.  Which just happens to be International Peace Day.  He's just cool like that.  He put on one hell of a show and I had so much fun.  He was super energetic and was eating cantaloupe during the show.  He also got some people out of the audience to participate in a cover of Michael Jackson's "Rock With You" and The Beatles "All you Need is Love."  It was amazing.  Or should I say a-mraz-ing :P

Here is just a sample of his optimistic lyrics:

" I'm gonna be happy with the way that I am. I'm gonna be happy with all that I stand for. I'm gonna by happy now..."
-The Boy's Gone

"I won't worry my life away...change...no I won't"
-The Remedy (I Won't Worry)

So I just don't know if I have ever been affected so by a musician.  Jason is big on sustainability and is very outspoken about the environment and love for people.  I have felt more positive than I can remember in a long time and I know this is because I am more spiritual now than I have been in a while. But some part of it is because of Jason Mraz.  So thank you Jason, for helping me to see that I really DO need to start recycling and helping to save this beautiful earth,  for encouraging me to get off my butt and shake it, for making me aware that people just want to be loved and respected and for making me feel like a goofy little kid again.  You rock.

Happy Birthday Sam aka Peatie!

Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband of 3 1/2 years, Sam!

Today

Fall is Here

I love this time of year- I can smell the crisp cool air.  I went hiking yesterday as well as today and I loved it!  It's very peaceful and gives me time for reflection.  A new work week starts tomorrow and I am going to work on getting everything ready tonight so mornings will not be quite so hectic.  We are having Customer Service Week at work beginning Monday and it's exciting- lots of fun activities, motivational speakers, contests, and desk drops!  I love my job and I'm grateful that God has blessed my life so fully.

Today is Saturday!

I think Peanut and I will go...

This Too Shall Pass

I'm kind of down today.

My husband is in the hospital, my neighbor's cat had to be put to sleep (R.I.P. sweet Cody) and my head and tummy hurt.  But I still have so much to be grateful for and I won't forget that.

I have my health.  The recent weight loss has made me feel so much better.  Just think- 80 pounds gone, Cheryl.  That's amazing! I'm struggling with my eating a bit right now and what do I usually do in times of stress?  Eat.  So I am trying to focus on other things instead of eating to comfort myself.  I'm going to pray, laugh, pet my cat, go outside and enjoy the beauty of nature.

I have my loved ones.  Thank God for my family and friends- they are a strong support system and a source of inspiration to me. They are the coolest bunch of people and they love me unconditionally.  I know I don't connect all the time and I can be a bit of a hermit, but that's not always a bad thing.  I re-charge when I have alone time but I am working on being more comfortable around others.  Thank you guys for being patient.

I have a loving and powerful God.  I believe that He will get Sam through this difficult time.

I have things that make me happy.  The ocean, walking in the woods, reading a great book, laughing, my "babies" Peanut and Pushkin,  hot tea,  and on and on...

I have so much to be grateful for and I will not forget that, even in the midst of trying times.

The Blue Area

I was going to call this blog "The Gray Area" but I thought the name was a bit too... drab.  The reason behind the name is because so much of my life has been black or white, right or wrong, good or bad, all or nothing.  I have either had to be perfect or a total failure.  To me, this blog will be about discovering that I can have hiccups along the way down the path of life but that doesn't mean I have to stop.  I met with a wise man today and we talked about learning to love and to not be so damn hard on ourselves.  We try, and oftentimes we succeed at what we set out to do.  But when we do not see success the world is not over.  There will always be another time to try, another day to come.  It reminds me of a quote I recently saw and absolutely adore: