Inspiration for the Day

Dearest Readers,

It's true, I've been on the down low for the past month.  Apparently writing a book is more timely and mentally draining than I remember, so something's gotta give.  Unfortunately, it's this.

Or does it?

While running today, I had a thought listening to 'I Could Be a King' by the Dunwells.  Haven't heard it yet?  You must download now as it will inspire you to do anything... even run.  Ha!

Anyhoo, while running, I thought why can't I do it all?  Why can't I write a book and find ways to inspire you too?  I mean, most of the time when I'm writing to you, I'm also inspiring myself at the same time, and who doesn't need a little inspiration every now and again?

Truth is, we all need it, and lately it just seems like there's more bad news than good news, so we have to be able to have something in our lives to cling to.

Today, I'm clinging to this song.... and hope you will too.  I hope it makes you smile like it does with me.

Happy Wednesday!

love, me

Mom's Top Ten

I think we all can agree, whether you ever knew my mom or not, that she was one of the great ones.  Ten years ago was the very last time we were able to celebrate her birthday, and I'm so glad now that we took the time to do that.

Ever since, I've tried to honor this day because I think we need to remember a day for someone who touched so many lives.  I usually bake something, and try to have people remember her by doing something nice because that is all she was about.

So, in remembrance of my mom (and in tears), I will give you her top ten:

1. If people had one word to describe my mom, it would usually be "Nice."  She was the epitome of generosity and giving.  Oh sure, if she didn't like you, you knew it, but they were few and far between.
2. The second word that people will say is laughter.  It was joyful and loud and usually a cackle, and many of us inherited this from her.  It's known as the Garmyn laugh.
3. As a mom, there wasn't anything she couldn't handle.  I attribute this to the fact that she had four kids in three years (no twins either!).  Every eleven months, like clockwork, she had another kid. Thankfully, she learned her lesson eventually, and there's a break between Gump and myself, but can you imagine?  No wonder nothing phased her.
4. She was an awesome cook and baker.  Most people are either one or the other, but she had both in her pocket.  My favorite is the chicken and rice recipe, which is hard to read here, but if you want it, I'll get it to you.  *Sidebar: This recipe above is written by my mom, and my aunt Patti sent it to me in a birthday card a few years ago.  I called to thank her, completely overcome, and cried on her answering machine.  
5. She was one of those people who could fix anything, and when I say anything, I mean any thing.  It could be a financial problem (she'd lend you money).  It could be heartbreak (she'd take you to lunch and shopping).  If you wanted cable in the upstairs bedroom, she'd bring over the cable wire and hook it up (no cable guy necessary).  
6. Shopping, mostly for others, was one of her downfalls.  Only because she could rack up credit card debt like no other.  Since she always did the finances in there house, my dad was quite surprised to see how much credit he had in his name.  We giggle now, but he didn't back then.
7. She was an absolute favorite at LCC for so many year, known as Ma G mostly, because she took care of everyone.  As the attendance lady for so long, she was able to excuse many students who probably would've failed out otherwise because of tardy slips.  I got to "work" in her office first hour for two years, and loved every minute of it.
8. She was the best grandma ever.  My boys, especially Evan, were so lucky to have had her even for a short time.  Blake really doesn't remember her at all, but thankfully we have Cathy now, and she blesses us just like mom would :)
9. I think my mom may have invented "doing lunch" and thankfully, I was the recipient of many of those lunches.  Her favorite places... Jacobson's Eastroom (I even remember going in a skating outfit once... why I have no clue).... Chi chi's.... Chilis.....Olgas...... La Senoritas..... 
10. She loved Christmas and made it the most special time of year for everyone involved.  This past year was probably the worst, because it was as if nothing was special at my dad's house.  It broke my heart knowing she was probably turning in her grave.

Well, that's it, but of course an amazing life can't be wrapped up in ten.  I will be baking Pioneer Woman's Chocolate Sheet Cake for dessert today, and hopefully going to lunch :)

I hope you all have a wonderful day and celebrate March 18!

Love you Mom!

6-Word Wednesday

Eventually, the darkness fades into light.

I now know why I haven't written a book in seven years.  It takes a commitment of epic proportions, and while I always knew this, I was just in a different place seven years ago.  I had more time, less stress, and fewer worries.  Writing was just a hobby I did, and I didn't pressure myself like I do now.

In other words, life was good.

I'm also starting to realize what it means to keep promises to myself.  I think I've "started a book" at least ten times in those years, and now I have finally found a cast of characters I like to hang out with.  Maybe I needed that time, or maybe I was just lazy.

Maybe reality TV is to blame.

Notice the name of the show is six words :)

Yes, we will blame the Real Housewives for the downfall of my writing career, but I will never admit to spending entire Saturdays watching marathons of this show.  

I would never ever do that.

Short story long, I have kept promises to everyone around me (even the stupid housewives), but never to myself.  When you finally realize that what you want actually counts, life changes and choices become easier.  Decisions aren't difficult when you have a clear picture in your head about what is important.  And when you choose the important things over the not so important things, your life opens up to something better.

Life is short.  Make a choice.

Have a happy six-word Wednesday.

Insta-Fabulous

This is - hands down - my new favorite site:  Instamotivation

We spend so much time tearing ourselves down and to have a site that will instantly give you a smile is really saying something these days.

Go ahead and try it... I'll wait.

I got this one at work today, and it literally made my day.  

Yes, I'm that shallow, no judging. 

So continuing on our thankful ways, I say go to this website instead of making yourself feel bad about not being perfect.  Perfect is so overrated anyways.  

You'll be thankful you did.

Happy Tuesday!

  

Thankful

Today I am thankful that there are awesome bloggers out there who can say things and literally make me feel better instantly.

Since I'm on the 30 Day Challenge my brain is somewhat fried, my body is aching, and my time is limited, so instead of trying to drudge up a post that none of us will enjoy, I am going to send you here to read this post from Liz at Chick Lit is Not Dead.

Trust me, you'll be thankful.

Happy Sunny Monday!!

March Madness

If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten.  ~ Tony Robbins

Uh oh, you're thinking.  Surely you must know where I'm going with this quote, and if you think we need some drastic changes to make differences in our lives, you'd be right.

Damn, I hate it when you're always right.

In a day and a half, the beautiful month of March will be upon us.  I love March for many reasons...

My mom's birthday is in March.
Spring-like weather usually begins in March.
Hockey season ends, and that usually means that work becomes way quieter.
Lacrosse begins.


This year it's also going to be my own personal March Madness to kick my butt into gear and out of this funk.  I am going to create my own 30 Day Challenge for different areas of my life, because I've been wasting way too much time lately boo-hooing about life and not enough time doing.  Pick one and do along with me, won't you?

Mo's March Madness 30 Day Challenge

1.  Write 1000 words every. single. day.  I'm already 20K into my book, and figure this will actually take me near the end, and well, who can quit at the end?  Not me.

2.  30 Day Photo Challenge:  Now that we all have our fancy new apps, this will be a fun way to see our world.  This one is actually not even a challenge... just something fun to do everyday!

3.  Health:  On Friday I'll be walking into Court One and making a commitment to myself and my health.  Yes, I should've done it a month ago, but sometimes I'm a little slow on the uptake.  Anyways, I will be participating in some sort of exercise Monday-Saturday with Sundays off for 30 Days.

Is this crazy?  Yes.

Do I need something so extreme or I'll die from boredom or self-loathing?  YES.

I am so sick and tired of complaining about myself and decided I just need a kick in the pants.

Of course I'll check in here to let you know how it's going, and I sincerely hope you decide to challenge yourself in some way.  It doesn't have to be big... just something that will get you outside your thoughts.


Happy Wednesday!

Bestest

True, you won't find this word in Websters, but it doesn't stop me from using it all the time.  Probably not as much as I should lately, but I'm working on that starting here.  Trying to see the best in any situation is a tough skill to learn, and once you do, it's even tougher to maintain.

Sadly, I can only relate it to a diet.

When I look back, I can clearly see that my moods, like my diet, are on some sort of crazy mood pendulum, swinging from really happy/positive to my-life-has-no-purpose.  Am I manic depressive?  Possibly, :) but I think I just lose focus of the big picture from time to time and slip into seeing only the bad around me.

When you take the time to just count your blessings, no matter how small, life really isn't so bad.  I know, I know, easier said than done.

So taking a cue from my favorite website, I'm going to copy one of their ideas and make a list of Best Evers.

1.  Best Song:  What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong.  Yes, it's corny, but it's true.  This was our wedding song, and to this day it will bring a smile to my face.  I will have to say that At Last by Etta James (I'm listening to it now) is a very close second.

2.  Best Book:  Really?  I have to pick just one?  Well most of you could probably guess that it would be the last Harry Potter, The Deathly Hallows.  I have had an obsession with Harry since I started reading them ten years ago.  Close second will have to be Charlotte's Web.  There is still something about that story that literally made me want to live on a farm when I was little.  Love.

3.  Best Movie:  You've Got Mail.  If I ever win the lottery, I will reopen The Shop Around the Corner... and add a coffee shop with it.  Love, love love.

4.  Best Life Moment:  This is the hardest one because there are so many!
-I would have to say that the first time you hold your child is one of the most amazing moments God could ever give you.
-Walking down the aisle towards Toby who couldn't stand still because he was so nervous.
-Writing the last paragraph in my first book.  It was a moment when I realized how important it is not to give up on something you want to do.
-Being surrounded by friends, love, tears, and laughter on the night of my mom's funeral.  It was sad and beautiful at the same time.

5.  Best Advice:  Make all of your choices out of love, not fear.  Don't do anything because you're afraid of what will happen if you don't.  Yes, you need to be wise, but when you start living in fear, you really just stop living.

So that's it.  Start today to see the best in your life.... even if it's just the best cup of coffee you've ever had.  Starting small - baby steps - is sometimes the best way.

I hope you have the bestest day ever.