6-Word Wednesday

I woke up today, and literally wanted to stay in bed all day.  After doing yoga yesterday going to a movie last night, I am the dreadful combination of sore and tired.  And no, I don't feel sore and tired... I literally am the walking definition of Sore and Tired.

Living on the corner of Sore and Tired, if you will.

So I needed a pick me up, because staying in bed all day really isn't an option.  I have found youtube to be the best way to find something to either inspire me or at least make me laugh.  Today, I went with the laughs.

I really started to think about laughter because it has been a significant part of my life for as long as I can remember.

My mom had that laugh.  The Garmyn laugh people called it.
I was the little girl with the big laugh.
The most miserable moments of my life has been lightened by laughter.
I married a man who could (and still does) make me laugh.
Laughter connects us, frees us from trouble (even if for a moment), and can mend a broken heart.

In short (6 words, in fact):

Life's short.  Laugh with your friends.

And by friends, I mean Friends.  Enjoy this clip I found.  I know it's a little long, so shut the office door, turn the volume up, and laugh.

You deserve it today.

Weekend Reads

I started to read something on Friday that I picked up from the library, and I almost put it back because it's one of those smart books that really makes you think.  And let's be honest, I'm usually trying to escape from my thinking.

The book is called Daring Greatly by Brene Brown, and this it will make you think...but after reading a couple pages, I started to poke around online about the author, and looked at a couple videos she had mentioned in the book at Ted.com.  And they're good.  Really, kinda life-changing good.

Basically, I'm hooked.

Are the topics she talks about fun?  No.

Is it uncomfortable to think about.  Absolutely.

Will you feel better after reading and watching these videos?  100% yes.

The courage it takes to be that honest in this society is something we should all strive for.  I've had it with people who pretend their lives are perfect and hide what they're really feeling, including myself.  No, I don't want to sit with someone who isn't ever happy or grateful, but that's something different.  This is about owning up to your life, good-bad-and ugly, with acceptance.

I can't wait to keep reading.

Here's her website if you want to learn more.

Happiness is...

So we all know that I've been on a quest for happiness this year, and literally tried to plan for it all year long.  What I have learned is that God has a excellent sense of humor, and really doesn't pay any attention to plans.

Honestly, I think He mocks them.

And then He does everything possible to challenge you, whatever the quest may be.

What I've also learned this year, is that you just have to be happy no matter the circumstances, because rarely is your life ever going to be perfect.  To quote Taylor Swift, "Like... ever."  Life is up, then down, then up again.  Sometimes the down seem pretty low, and really they last longer than the ups, but again, that's life.

You have to have a go-to Happiness Is... List when life is beating you up.  Staying down is not an option... like ever.

Happiness is...

• Having the house to yourself.  Even if you have to play hookie from work to get it.
• Pandora's Jack Johnson station
• Target
• Baking while blogging.  The two are starting to go hand in hand for me.  Getting to do this in the house alone with Jack Johnson singing to me?  Well, it's better than 50 Shades for me.
• Reading
• Pinning

And if that list isn't enough, you can search my Pinterest Board for more happiness.

Right now, take 5 minutes and write your Happiness Is... go-to list.  Seriously, take the time to do this, and I promise you won't regret it...

Like, ever.

Have a fabulous day!

Octoberfest

Well, my friends, it's been a month.

Drum roll please... and I'm down 7 pounds.

To me it's not really enough, however it is 7 lbs less than month.  There have been so many ups and downs in the past month I can't even count.  Needless to say, losing weight is quite possibly the hardest thing for me to take on, and I'm just getting started.

Daunting to say the least.

But today is a new month, and now that I kinda have a idea of how to get through a day under 1700 calories, and I'm just wanting to celebrate for some reason.  A month is longer than I thought I'd make, and certainly longer than I've done in the past few years. So I don't lose it as fast as I thought (why I thought that I'll never know), I really don't care.  It's about getting through each day and feeling better than the last.

And today, I feel pretty good.  So good, in fact, I wanted to add more goals to this month.  Now that the food part handled, I'm going to add in the exercise.  I know I'm not in the worst shape since I've been pretty faithful to my spin class, but I could use a little consistency.  Trying to keep food in control and add the exercise is when it gets really tricky, but I also think this is where the real difference lies when losing weight.  For the past few years, I've tried one or the other, but not both.

God, I love a challenge :)

Call me crazy, but this is actually starting to get interesting to me.

Have a great day!  

Mortified

A friend of mine has been listening to my parenting horror stories (she has none) for a while, saying they're the best birth control ever. So jokingly I told her last week that she doesn't know mortified till she has kids.

She promises that it'll be the title of her book someday.

It's become my mission to give her the dirt (actually any childless friend) so they know exactly what they're getting into when they make that decision. You literally have to be crazy to have kids. Yes, they bring a lot of joy to our lives, and quite frankly, life might be a little b-o-r-i-n-g without them, but good Lord, do they have to teach us such humility? There isn't a day that goes by that I don't sprout at least one new gray hair because of them.

Here is today's email to my childless buddies...

We are running late as usual this morning, and Evan decides he wants to drive to school. Great!




He finds his favorite Mac Miler song, so I can listen to rap on the way. Super!




He goes to back out of the garage and bumps into the shelves in front of us. He's in drive... in our garage. Excellent!




Screaming "GODDAMMIT, GO BACKWARDS," is probably not my shining moment in parental advice. Not to mention I threaten Blake that if he tells dad I'll take his iPod away.




You can stop laughing now, because it will happen to you someday.




You don't know mortified till you're a parent.




#mortified.




... I thought it might just make some of you others giggle too. And for the record, if any of you tell Toby, I'll take your iPod away as well.




Have a fabulous night!

Discoveries

The excerpt below is from my cousin, Michelle, who was diagnosed with breast  cancer in January.  

She posted this on her page last night and I just thought it might be the best thing ever, to learn so many wonderful things from something so horrible.  May we all learn something from her strength and faith.... 

I hope you enjoy.

I have been thinking about all the things I have learned during the last nine months of this battle (yes it has already been nine months – to me they are nine LONGGGG months, to you I am sure you are thinking – wow that went fast – if so, I might have to hurt you ;-) Here are a few things that I learned that I want to share with you (here is the really inspirational stuff ;-)

· I discovered that my husband really meant it when he said – “in sickness and in health” (have I mentioned how wonderful he has been). He has provided amazing care and showed me what true love really is.

· I discovered that cancer does not change who I am on the inside

· I discovered how many wonderful friends I have

· I discovered what a wonderful catholic community we have

· I discovered that Farm Bureau truly is a FAMILY of companies and is wonderful

· I discovered that some of my friends are wonderful cooks and some not so much (but I am not complaining – I appreciated all the help - except for that weight watchers corn bread - kidding, ok I am not kidding) ;-)

· I discovered some wonderful new friends that have been soooo supportive

· I discovered that my son Konnor can look at me and know exactly what I need, and provides that to me without me asking (hugs, cleaning, foot rubs, etc.)

· I discovered how truly blessed I am

· I discovered that I need to MAKE time for my family and friends because you never know when life will be cut short

· I discovered that my sister is amazing and cares about me a lot

· I discovered that I can’t focus on what “might” happen, but instead need to focus on the present

· I discovered that I need to do things I care about and do them NOW

· I discovered that I don’t need to be concerned with bad hair days, just be happy I have some

· I discovered that when you see someone with a disfigurement or a scarf on their head, not to look away and pretend I didn’t see them, but to instead look them in the eye and smile

 . I discovered that I can't always be wonder woman - sometimes you need to let people help you

. I discovered sometimes you have to give up control and let God guide you and you have to have faith in His plan for you

. I discovered that prayers really do work (I knew this already, but it was definitely confirmed)

. I discovered that bad things can bring a family closer together (and my family, both sides, have been awesome!!!!!!!!!)

. I discovered that my soccer team can do more than just play soccer, they are all caring and good cooks

. I discovered that maintaining a positive attitude can get you through just about anything

And most importantly,

. I discovered that God is bigger than cancer.

Apple

As Apple prepares to release the newest iPhone 5 (finally), I have been thinking about Steve Jobs this morning.  I haven't read his book yet, but I am intrigued enough to pick it up at some point.  It seems as though he truly had it all figured out, this thing called life.  And in his death, he continues to teach us.

I am going to print this quote out and paste it to my bathroom mirror.

It really says it all.  I know we all have to make money, but with the extra time in our day (yes, most of us have some) are we really doing what we love?  Do we even know what that is?

Right now, I feel like procrastination is my one great love.  I am an expert at it :)  I accomplish procrastination every single day.  Sometimes it's in the morning, sometimes in the afternoon, but most times it's in the evening when I literally zone out in front of the tv.  Seriously, I'm a first class procrastinator.

With a capital P!

So, with that I'll leave you to figure out what you would do with the last day of your life.

Will it be just like yesterday, or will it be something different?

Have a fabulous day :)