Growing up with spirits-6WS

From a young age my mom instilled the ideas in me that spirits walked among us. It was never scary or weird.

During the holidays my grandparents and great grandma tend to hang around more. I have received two special phone calls from them and when my mom went to her reading today, they let her know my beloved dog Cider was with my grandfather and doing well.


He also hangs out with me often.  It is good to know because I miss him terribly and just want to be able to feel him and know that he is okay. The physic medium stated that he usually comes for breakfast and nudges me to let me know he wants some food.

I will have to work on noticing him more, it is time to stop rushing and listening to the noise in my head and listen to the world around me.

In Memory of Cider: 2013

Show My Face

Janet Evanovich

"I had my period! I needed those chips." - Carol Cantell, Ten Big Ones

To hold true to who you are

This week was a test of who I am and who I want to be. I am an honest, hard working person. This I have always been. I will not allow those around me to question this morale character. For if I do, then I am not being true to myself.  It takes someone questioning me this week for me to really break down and realize that I do not intend to let anyone question these two things about me.

However, I also realize that I as I lead those around me I will make sure that my honesty and hard work shows in everything that I do. If someone on one of my teams is asked they will known that I am honest.

The foundation stones for a balanced success are honesty, character, integrity, faith, love and loyalty.
Zig Ziglar

A shift in my life, to the depths of my soul

6WS

To grown & Learn & Change

 

Where a I take a job that requires skills I know I do not possess I must make every effort to become something different then I've been for 34 years. I must become a team player, a great talker and a worker of calm and logic. When emotions run high, I have to ask the right questions. When students needs are not getting met, I have to ask the team to step up one more time. And when they fall apart I have to be their rock and give them a listening ear.

In the end, as a coach and leader I must embody skills that I am asking my teammates to have. I must fight with passion, back down when I'm wrong and smile when I'm angry or play nice with the crazy. I must never leave my team stranded and take away their dignity. I must support them while guiding them.

This blog will become my journey and insight into this world. It will become the place where I change, transform, scream and rant. Where I put my big girlie panties on and admit defeat when it is necessary, or where I argue and convince myself that I am doing what is best for kids. For all that matters in the end is that the students receive the education they deserve and must have to move forward with their life.

I will not always be right but I will be passionate and I will forgive myself and my team for the mistakes that I know we will make. I will learn to hold my tongue and not make rash decisions without thinking through the information. I will ask questions, I will change my life to become the leader I want to become. And this blog will be the place where my journey begins. It will be the story of my failures and successes.

Check out 6WS-it's a great blog that gives you an opportunity to express your weekend in six words.

http://www.showmyface.com/

6WS

Hooray for the weekend movie's delight

This last week was a long one returning to work in the full swing of things. So, this weekend I treated myself to a movie weekend at my house. I will have to work extra hard now to complete all of my work I didn't do. But I believe it was worth it. 

6WS

The honorable Leibster Award

A Liebster! Oh My!

I've been nominated for a Liebster Award! I must admit to feeling quite humbled by this and honored. Thank you so very much D. Jean Quarles Journaling - The Writer's Life.  I am grateful for this wonderful opportunity. Thank you,

Liebster is a German word that means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, pleasant and valued.

This is an award with a purpose. It is given to bloggers with less than 200 followers to recognize their blog and encourage them to continue blogging. I feel so blessed to have been chosen to receive this kindness.

   

                                        In acceptance of this award I am to:
                                                    1. Give 11 random facts about myself.
                                                2. Answer the 11 questions D. Jean Quarles asked me.
                                                    3. Nominate 11 people for this award.
                   4. Make up 11 original questions for my nominees to answer about themselves.

                                           Alright Let's start this exciting process:

11 facts about me:

1. I love to work and have four jobs
                      
                        







                                  2. Writing and Reading are my relaxation activities
  

 

3. I want to be a mix between Beth (dog the bounty hunter's wife) and Rizzoli

4. I have ran in five 5K races, and will be completing my first mud run this year

5. I've completed 35 days of Tapout XL

6. My favorite color is blue

7. I have a co-authored self-published book and have two articles published in a dental magazine

8. I'm a true Aquarius

                   

9. Power and Passion drive me
             

10. I live for big dreams and changes

                   

11. I never want to disappoint my family as they are my true best friends

                      11 questions asked from blogger
My Original 11 Questions for the Nominees:
1. What does your creative space look like?
             It is in my head, with big posters about dreaming big, and extra sticky notes

2. How do you create balance in your life?
             By taking a break when I need it and pushing through when things need to be done

3. Inside? Or outside?
             Outside, especially when it's 80 degrees

4. What is your favorite tree?
             Chocolate Mint Tree

5. Coffee or Tea?
              Coffee all the way

6. What types of books do you read?
              Anything and everything-especially sex, drama and bounty hunting

7. How did you come up with the title of your blog?
             It is a reflection of all things in my life

8. If I came to visit, how would I know what your favorite color is?
            You wouldn't my space is for my kids not me

9. What do you do for summertime relief from the heat?
             Drink a peach green tea lemonade from Starbucks

10. What is your best feature?
             My Eyes, they are the window to how happy I am

11. Flats, wedges, heels or boots?
              Everything, I think I'm adaptable enough to where whatever the situation calls for.

11 blogs that have done an amazing job of capturing special    
                                    moments in time:

1. Bolzano Daily Photos

2. Photo Fun

3. Chronicles from the shore

4. Photo Roma: Tiburtina Reflections

5. Taken for granted

6.  Taking the dive

7. Artistique

8. Stockport Daily Photo

9. My Thoughts and Photos

10. Tulsa Gentleman

11. Sara's Fave Photos Blog

                                   Questions for you:

1. Dark Chocolate or Mint Chocolate?

2. What get's you motivated?

3. Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner?

4. What do you spend a majority of your day doing?

5. If you could be famous what would you be famous for?

6. What animal is closest to you?

7. What is your biggest obstacle?

8. One thing on your bucket list?

9. Hot or cold?

10. Greatest success?

11. Song you sing when you just need to smile?

Taking my life in my own hands

You can too. http://austine.myitworks.com/home

6WS-It Works

Moving my body and Income Forward

If you have been following my blog for awhile you know I have been working hard to lose weight. Well, I have now completed thirty days of tap-out. I have been on Chris Powell's food plan for almost a month. But the most exciting new change, for six months I have been taking health products from

 It Works Global. 

 I love the products, they have a wrap that is awesome. Greens, which is eight servings of fruits and vegetables and gives me the energy I would normally attempt to get from a cup of coffee. And now I have taken the leap to become a  

It Works Entrepreneur.     

With so many products out there this was not something I just jumped into. I wanted to make sure I love the product first. I mean how do I sell a product if I myself don't believe in it right. But then one day, I'm driving to work, and I realize that I've only been drinking my, "Greens" this particular morning and I don't have the desire to pull over and go to sleep. This is a very new sensation for me because for the last few years I'm exhausted to the point where I could pull over and take a nap on the side of the road. Today, I'm feeling great. Energized and ready to go. I also decide I don't need my coffee that is steaming in a cup next to me.  I worry slightly that I will pay for this choice at some point in my day. 

But, I don't. The entire day I was great. No caffeine headache and no desire for my afternoon get me through coffee. I'm actually feeling great. But I still waited you now just in case this was a one day fluke. However, after six months the affects have not changed. I have tried multiple products and love them all. 

Because of this, I'm eating healthier, exercising regularly and my sister and I have signed up to do mud runs and 5k obstacle courses. Something I would never have done without this product. Thank you It Works you have changed by life!

It Works

Linking with 6WS because they're are amazing blogs everyone should see.

What to do?

 Need to Keep dreaming for myself

In a time when there is so much information out there I find myself bogged down not invigorated. I feel dreams and wishes slipping from my grasp because I have to take the time to find the information and I don't want to. A lack of motivation or a lack of creativity? I don't know, but boredom in my life has set in and it is time to find the new challenge that will keep me dreaming.

Linking with: 6WS

6WS

Working hard for a better body

It is not new to those around me that I have been working to lose weight. It seems that I have been working on this for years. I'm on track, I'm off track. However, a few weeks ago my mom and I were discussing our family. She had unfortunately attended an aunt's funeral but while she was there another of her Aunt's was able to attend. She was 92, still driving and had her own apartment. This inspired me to get it together. We are always hearing that our genetic make up affects so much of your bodies. I have been blessed with great genes. And I need to stop abusing the privaige by feeding my body crap. So, here's how I am going to get in shape.

1. Chose more to lose more for life: I am on the turbo plan and feeling very good. Of course it's been a week.  I have learned that carbs do in fact affect me and I need to be careful about how many carbs I'm eating. Even when I'm on a reward or high carb day.

2. Tapout XT: I am now eleven days in to this very intense workout plan. I'm stronger, more flexible and able to sweat through a work out. 

Can't wait to show off my 90 day pictures. Wish me luck! And share your own weight loss goals. 

Linking with: 6WS

My Youngest

I love capturing photos of my kids. My youngest has a great sense of fashion

.

A little bit of fun

This weekend my mom, sister and I ran in the bubble run. It was tons of fun.

This was a ton of fun!

Bubble Run

Tons of fun @ the bubble run!

6WS

Last Weekend

Last weekend I went to a very fun birthday party at Uptown Alley

 The kids got to play laser tag, I got up with friends and ate pizza. In the end it was one of the best birthday parties I have ever been to. 

Work Out Wednesday

It was a fun but long race this weekend. We enjoyed the Rock N' Glow... At Alice Coopertown. I tried to peak too early and burned my lungs. Danced a little way to keep the momentum going. Oh yea, and did I mention we went four miles instead of 3.10. It was a long one and I have to get my consistency back on.









It has been a great way to start my day in the morning.


I have been drinking the green smoothie:
        2 handfuls of spinach
        8oz yogurt
        5 strawberries
        1 banana
        1 orange
        1 apple

Reclaiming my weekend

I had to fight to reclaim my weekend, but last weekend I did it. I took my boys to a splash park. They had a ton of fun and I enjoyed some quiet time. I will be working on finding other things like this for the summer as we enjoy some rest and relaxation before next year if anyone knows of cheap or free places send them my way please.

Mailbox Monday

Sweet Strawberry Basket

Dissolve one package of unsweetened strawberry drink mix in four tablespoons of water. To make a basket, use green-tinted water to paint the top edge of a funnel-shaped coffee filter; then paint the remaining portion of the filter using the strawberry water. After the filter is dry, use a round-end toothpick to dab on red paint (strawberry seeds). Attach a green construction paper handle as shown.

One-of-a-Kind Bee

Here's an adorable bee craft! To make one, paint your palm and fingers with black and yellow stripes as shown; then press your hand onto a sheet of paper, keeping your fingers together. Glue a black paper circle (head) and a pair of construction paper wings to the print. To complete the bee, glue hole-punch dots (eyes) to the head and draw two antennae; then decorate the page as desired.

Speckled Frog

This adorable amphibian is made mainly with three circles! Materials for one frog: two 4" green circles 6" green circle black scrap paper 2 white pom-poms scissors glue black marker sticky dots Steps: Fold the four-inch circles in half. Then unfold the circles and cut them along the fold lines. To make legs, glue two half circles to the back of the intact circle (frog body) as shown. To make feet, glue the two remaining half circles to the front of the frog. Glue the pom-poms to the frog so they resemble eyes. Cut out two black pupils and glue them in place. Draw a mouth on the frog and details on the feet. Embellish the frog with sticky dots.

       

6WS

My Week Was Very Very Long!

As we wrap up the school year there is much to be done. I can't believe my first year of preschool is almost over and I will be moving onto another job. Next year, I will be a special education team lead. I'm very excited and nervous for the opportunity. But right now, I must focus on getting this year done.

Linking with 6WS

Thursday

My pampered chef items have come in really handy. I love the chip maker and have been making them by the dozen. However, I also made a cheese souffle, and I have never made anything like that before. Then I made some orange zest muffins that were delicious. Here are some photos to commiserate the event.

Work Out Wednesday

Get myself into gear, since the first 5K by biscuits have not been flapping in the breeze and it is time to get in gear again. I went to a leadership meeting at the CDA conference and she said to remind yourself of what you want. She put a sticky note on her chair that said, "Skinny rear will part here." My is going to say Tiny waist will twirl here. Hopefully it will help remind me to stay focused instead of getting that treat.

High Maintenance Fish

My son came home with beetles, I said, "No, No, NO."

He came home with a worm and I said, "No, NO, NO."
Next he came with fish, and I said, "YES, YEs, YES." 

Tell I found out they were high maintenance fish and then I tried to say, "No, No, No!

These are black light sensitive fish. We have lost two of them, but the pink one seems to be hanging in there. What fun.