to answer the phone...

there are a couple of people in my life that bring about anxiety in my inner being when they call me. If you are reading my blog, it's not you, lol. I see their names come up on the screen of my Treo and think "okay, do I have the energy for this right now?". seriously. And I know that I am needed...my light and cheerful voice is needed. Some days I don't have the extra peace and love to combat the darkness...and so I let it go to voicemail and call back when my reserves are full. Most days I can take a deep breath and answer. I vascillate back and forth between believing that some people are happy when they're unhappy and believing that they are reaching out because they want to embrace the light. Who knows...I just need to try to do my part- offer the light when I have it, and let them know that they never have to be in the darkness alone if they want to invite me in.

computer withdrawl...

I'm blogging from a DELL...what the hell?! I graciously (ha!) sent my computer to Portland with Dirk (his harddrive died) so that he could be connected and have a Mac to work on Christmas party multimedia stuff (yes, their Christmas Party is in January, always.) So I'm blessed to have this PC to stay connected on... I'll have to post pics after Dirk gets back. The boys and I are going to the Rockin' NOON Year's Eve celebration for kids at the mall...COOL idea!! Countdown to the new year, celebrated at noon! So I hope to get fun pics of the boys and friends...bringing in 2008 today.

The house is really coming together. The living room is so nice! I feel like we're in a different house, lol and am enjoying the open floor space and the new soft rug in front of the couch. The boys are enjoying the open space and the new tv :) It's so cool to be sitting at the table, drinking coffee and be able to see their beautiful faces (instead of the tv and the back of their heads!)

I forgot to post ayer's Well-Being card...it was a good one! Nothing is more important than that I feel good."Don't do anything that you don't really want to do. Keep yourself in a place of feeling good. Reach for the thought that feels better- and watch what happens." This is huge for me...I made the decision to let my Cookie Lee jewelry business go in 2008. I feel good about that...I love the jewelry, but don't love the thoughts that go with it. The preparation that goes into a show, even if there's not a presentation to worry about. I can enjoy the jewelry without making it a business...we don't need the money and my time with my friends and family is SO much more important!

Today's card: The Universe is big enough to fulfill my every intent. The "Universal Manager" has the ability to bring everyone a vibrational match to what they are giving their attention to- without depriving anyone else of what they are wanting.

these are a few of my favorite people...

In no particular order (like I could figure out how to order them in this program, lol) here are a few of my favorite people (not including my family members, of course)!! I thought this would be a fun way to close out the year...

Jules, with Jack 'o Lantern jugs

Leticia, at her birthday party last week

Me, and Cassey Jean, my Beauty Queen

My "non-gay best friend" Mike with nephew Logan, on his BIRTH day!

Shaylah....why is your face hidden in all my pics of you? (w/Claire)

Billy...when we were getting ready to shoot our bio in Tucson

Me with Nancy on our Bitten trip

Me with my cousins, Janice and Dawn, on my 35th birthday

Diana, Scotty and Haden (I was SO excited to get their card and can't wait to get her New Year's card done!)

Me with Heather and Jackie at Heather's shower

another pic of me and Jackie (Dancing With the Stars night!!)

Sue and her granddaughters (Kayley, Kamryn and Kenzie)

Thanks to all of my favorite people for making my life so full...

Home upgrades!

We've manifested the money for some home upgrades :) and so I thought I'd post some pictures. Before and after of the light over the kitchen table- now an awesome double ceiling fan...and before and after of the dishwasher!

Create is my word for 2008

Well, the word for me is definitely "create". It just felt right, and then I opened up "The Teachings of Abraham Well-Being Cards" last night and guess what the first card was?? The front side says "The Law of Attraction, the most powerful Universal Law, is my friend." and the back says, "You create with your every thought."

WOW. That's all I have to say...

Had a great discussion with the boys about the idea of choosing a word for the year...Declan chose "focus" and "respect" and Torin was in quite a spunky mood...he didn't want to talk about it, said he was ignoring what we were saying, lol

We also talked about the Law of Attraction, which according to the card from ayer, means "that which is like unto itself is drawn". "By the Universal Law of Attraction, you are attracting the essence of whatever you are giving your attention to- wanted or unwanted". Or as Dirk and I say, keep giving "E to the P" (energy to the positive) because you get what you give energy to!!

and back to being in awe of getting the same info from different sources, I read last night in The Law of Attraction by Esther and Jerry Hicks, on the bottom of page 5 it says:

At first you may be privately pondering a particular subject, but if you think about it long enough, you will start to notice other people beginning to discuss it with you as the LAW OF ATTRACTION finds others who are offering a similar vibration and brings them right to you.

I can see that in these areas: The Law of Attraction, singing/music, homeschooling support, clearing clutter from my mind and our physical space, abundance...and the list goes on.

Resolution Revolution-Christine Kane

Once again, Christine Kane's blog is an inspiration to me...I haven't chosen my focus word for 2008 yet, but when I do, I'll post it here...I'd love to hear of anyone else's ideas, too!! Post a comment with your WORD!!

Resolution Revolution

I want to sort of write out my brainstorming...the word that's jumping out at me is "create". It will remind me that I have the power and the ability to create the moments I want to live in each day...create precious moments with my family to cherish... and the flip side is the physical creation of music, and crafts...things that I want to encourage myself to do in the coming year. It's amazing to me how often I get the same information (or hints from the universe, whispers from God, lol) from many different sources at the same time. This last 6 months I've been reading Why Talking is Not Enough by Susan Page, and listening to/reading Abraham stuff by Jerry and Ester Hicks, and I just started reading The Rhythm of Life: Living Every Day with Passion and Purpose by Matthew Kelly. I'm getting so much of the same promptings from all of these sources, and the people in my life, too!!! I love it when thoughts, especially important ones, are reinforced like that!

I love this picture of the boys...living and loving life. I want to create more moments like that!

My new theme song...

"Thankful" by Josh Groban

Somedays we forget
To look around us
Somedays we can't see
The joy that surrounds us
So caught up inside ourselves
We take when we should give.

So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be.
And on this day we hope for
What we still can't see.
It's up to us to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There's so much to be thankful for.

Look beyond ourselves
There's so much sorrow
It's way too late to say
I'll cry tomorrow
Each of us must find our truth
It's so long overdue

So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And every day we hope for
What we still can't see
It's up to us to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There's so much to be thankful for.

Even with our differences
There is a place we're all connected
Each of us can find each other's light

So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And on this day we hope for
What we still can't see
It's up to us to be the change
And even though this world needs so much more

There's so much to be thankful for

I wanna try this brownie recipe!

From Pam Genant...

Brownies

Steps toward Living Your Dream

I saw this on the blog of Pam Genant...one of my favorite ATCers from Imagination Tribe (http://gentlegull.blogspot.com/) it's from www.theuniverseknows.com



top ten steps towards "living your dream"

10. hold your vision.

all great accomplishments start with a vision. what message do you want to convey to others? make sure to stay focused on your intentions and always evolve your dream around the core vision.

your vision, whatever this may be, is strongly entwined with your value system and will resonate through to your product or service. everything has energy!!! The vision you create becomes your brand and must pervade everything.

chances are that your vision will also be shared by millions of others who believe in your vision. holding your vision is essential to manifesting your dream!

9. take the leap.

this is perhaps the most difficult step to take. However, anything worth accomplishing in life requires risk, and, more importantly, faith. do you really think that the universe would let you fail once you decide to follow your given purpose???

8. be in gratitude.

the universe is perfect as is. perfection is everywhere. when we are in gratitude we detach ourselves from the outcome. we realize that this moment is all we have.

re-calibrating your compass and appreciating the moment will give you the fuel required to build your dream. fear is derived from the past, whereas worry comes from not knowing the future. being in gratitude helps us to balance these two negative feelings by enjoying the moment.

7. give of yourself.

whatever we give is given back to us. the universe always gives back ten-fold that which is given away. so the best way to accomplish your dream is to encourage and support others to live their dreams.

6. find your support.

find a strong support network that will encourage you. there will be many forces, and people who will not be supportive of your dreams. stay away from these people and find people who will support and share in your success.

find yourself a strong mentor. someone who has already succeeded in a dream similar to yours to help you and coach you along the way. knowledge is key in manifesting your dream and two heads are certainly better than one.

5. never look back.

our past does not equal our future. when you move towards your dream keep your eye on your vision, keep an open heart and learn to appreciate the unknown. the past is gone and only exists as long a you allow it to. we have all made mistakes, and harping on them will do no good. It will only wear you down.

4. never give up.

persistence, persistence, persistence - and a lot of patience. the speed at which the dream manifests is up to the universe - trust the process and have faith in letting the universe do its part.

obstacles will rise throughout the process, however this is only the universe's way of testing you. the greater the obstacle, the closer you are to achieving your dreams. in fact, this is the point at which most people quit - so don't give up and never quit!!!

3. give it away.

let the universe do its part and be open to all the possibilities. where you think you are supposed to go with this dream and where you actually go more often than not are the same.

go with the flow and learn to enjoy the unknown - it is in not knowing the outcome when beauty is found.

2. stay in shape.

eating right and exercising is important. what good is it living your dream if you are not healthy enough to enjoy it? Maintaining physical health and proper diet will give you the strength and energy required to make it over the long haul. a fit body will also help you to make better decisions and minimize stress.

and the number one step to living your dream is...

1. life is short.

we are just lucky to be alive and breathing. life is nothing but a game - shakespeare said it best - we are all but actors on a stage - we can play out drama, action, excitement, comedy - and at the end of our play the curtain goes down and starts anew.

refocus your awareness and observe your life from afar. imagine yourself at the latter stages of your life looking back and reflecting on how you lived. are you living the life now that you will someday look back on and smile? if not, go for it! life is too short to just go through the motions. take the chance, have fun and always smile - the universe knows.

HILARIOUS homeschool parody...

THIS IS SO FUNNY!!!

www.doublesharpevideo.com/HomeSchool2/Homeschool2.html

email from CMT

Got an email from CMT about our video entry...seems that they want everyone to come to Nashville in January. Nice to find out AFTER we spent all the time to do the video! I just hope that the video will give them a good feel for who we are and give us an edge. Here is an excerpt from the email...

"As you know, Saturday, January 12, 2008 we are having a casting call at the Wild Horse Saloon in Nashville, TN. We want to capture our contestants' journeys from beginning to end, starting on this very important day. Because of this, we are urging everyone who sent in a video to show up that day for the casting call so we can follow your process with our cameras.

Again, THANK YOU so much for getting us your video! We already feel like we have a relationship with you and that definitely helps in the casting process. We look forward to seeing you in Nashville on the 12th!! Good Luck!! "

So think happy thoughts for me and I'll post pics of my trip!!

Christmas decorations...

We got our tree up (after a last minute decision to get an artificial, full-sized tree instead of the piano-top one) and strung on the chile lights and then decided it was good just like it was, instead of adding all of the ornaments! Goes with our decor :) and then i was happy to not to take out all of the decorations...I guess the decluttering has put me in the "less is more" mindset!

Another day not quite as planned...

Monday was going to be a day for getting things wrapped up....well, I wrapped some gifts, but as far as wrapping up my decluttering project, it just didn't happen! The boys enjoyed experimenting the the spa with balloons. Trying to figure out just how big they could make them, and if different colors could get bigger than others (didn't seem to matter).

I made a bigger mess while wrapping gifts for our bookclub gift exchange...

I used my Cricut machine to make the names to go on the packages...i think they turned out well. The boys helped me wrap the gifts :)

I guess it wasn't a bad day overall. We had a great time hanging out together...and Tuesday Dirk sat with me while I went through the piles in our room!

video audition...

What do you all think?? I had the most *fabulous* time hanging out with Billy...f'n around like we were kids. Trying to come up with a name for our duo...I was STUCK on something with "Rush" in the name. He finally told me to give it up, lol. We ended up with "High Strung" for now (though I'm the high strung one) and our "alter ego"... THE F-BOMBS. Any guesses why?? We are both former military :) and tend to be expressive with our speech.

Billy does the *funniest* British accent...his fire dept partner is British. Thanks to him, cause it made for some of the best laughs. I nearly spewed iced tea out my nose. No matter what happens with this particular audition, I had a blast and look forward to singin with my Billy Boy in the future. There has been talk of a Christmas Together cd (no promises, tho)

I found a cool piano website tonight... that looks like a cool way to brush up on my chord knowledge and such. woo hoo!!

where did the year go??

Good grief! I can't believe it's the middle of December and my last blog post was on friggin New Year's Day! I don't even know if I should try again? There is so much to recap on, I don't think I will...just bless and release and move forward. argh. not good at that!

Here are our new additions:
Dash, our new doggie, and Mylie and Drake...Declan's new White's Tree Frogs!! Now our zoo includes: 2 dogs, 1 cat, 2 birds, 2 leopard geckos (one which is living wild in the house somewhere!), one fancy goldfish, and two tree frogs! The boys and I agree that there will always be room for more...maybe someday we'll have enough land for pigs, goats or chickens?

I always seem to live in "panic mode" as things pop up in my life, and this last month is no different. After our family spent Thanksgiving in Moreno Valley with the Hartigs, the boys and I drove to Tucson so that I could make an audition video with one of my very best friends from high school, Billy :) The boys enjoyed time with Nana and Papa while I practiced, performed and had fun with music. Now I'm back home and trying to do my "homework" that was assigned...learn our songs, play my piano and start a music writing journal. I have a hard time sticking to anything (point in case, my blog) but I'm determined to be ready when Billy and I get that call to be on "Can You Duet?"!! That includes time in the gym so I'll be closer to my lied-about weight of 140, LMAO!!

I can't get the video to post right now, so maybe I'll try later...for now, I'll put the link:

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=23567650

Guess that's good for now...

my goals for this month (or what is left of it!):

get caught up on bookkeeping for Salsa's

keep tossing shit that is bogging us down

cross stitch a bit

3xs a week at the gym

start our tax stuff

focus on LOVE, PEACE and JOY in our zoo!

I am so grateful that:

I am married to a wonderful Dirk that I adore and love with all my heart

We are all so healthy and happy

We have chosen to learn through life, together at home

We are all venturing into music in our own way

Our little casita is becoming the warm, loving home that we want it to be :)

Happy New Year!

What a fabulous way to wake up... after a FULL, uninterrupted night of sleep, I awoke to the sound of the boys' laughter.

Life is good :)

Here's to learning and living together in peace and love... that's the goal ;)

When it is given freely and received gratefully, joy lives in every heart.  -Maya Angelou