Perspective

I just read one of the best blog posts ever!

Go visit

Suzanne at Southern Inspiration

to read her wise words.

Happy Thursday!

Sometimes

We eat them right out of the bag! Do you?

The Birthday Ritual+10 Things

image via here

"And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."

-Abraham Lincoln

Happy Birthday fellow Scorpios! This week I'm in the process of setting intentions -things I would like to have happen in my life between now and my next birthday. Self-care pro Cheryl Richardson has a great little self-honoring ritual she does every year on her birthday as a powerful way to create a life with intention, and I've decided to give it a try. Here's the ritual:

1. Schedule at least an hour of uninterrupted alone time.
   
   
2. Think carefully about the year ahead and the intentions you have for your family and self.
   
   
3. Review the prior year's intentions, and write about whether or not they came to pass and how they've affected your life.
   
   
4. Set new intentions for the upcoming year, taking into account all areas of life. Your intentions might relate to your finances, your health, your career, spiritual growth, the dreams you keep putting off, or the areas of your life that need your attention for a while. Whatever type you set, keep them simple. What matters most is that they feel right to you. You'll know this is the case when you look back over the list and think, "Yes! This is exactly what I need to focus on or what I'd like to have happen!" Make sure to choose intentions that you're ready to put your time and energy behind. Setting intentions in and of itself is only one part of the process. Taking action to fulfill them is what inspires doors to open and pathways to clear.
   
   
5. Finish the ritual by writing a letter to yourself, acknowledging how you've made a difference in your life and in the lives of others.

As Cheryl notes, it's sad but true: Most people spend more time planning their vacations than their lives. If we don't take the time to stop and consider where we'd like to be in a year, we may not like where we end up.

The beautiful, Micaela of Dolce Vita, was sweet to include me in her list of fabulous Sugar Doll bloggers and asked me to share 10 things about myself. I thought it'd be fun to make the 10 things about me, 10 things from my list of intentions. In no particular order...

1. Live in the now and appreciate where I am in life.

image via here

2. Finally take that trip to the wine country.

image via here

3. Take more photographs to document my life.

image via here

4. Make those albums and scrapbooks I've kept pushing back to do later.

image to left via here; image to right via here

5. Read one book per month from my reading wish list.

image to left via here; image to right via here

6. Meditate everyday.

7. Take the time to practice yoga 3 times a week.

image to left via here; image to right via here

8. Alkalize my diet.

9. Give.

image via here

10. Remember that everything happens for a reason.

What Did You Do Today Friend?

I spent some time outside.

Raked some leaves.

Admired the colors.

Thought about pentas.

They bloom all summer and still look pretty now.

Smiled at my pansies.

I enjoyed this fall day.

Hope you did too.

The Best Birthday Present: My Baby Boy is Home

First of all, a huge thank you and virtual hug to everyone for your kind words, compassion, support and generosity. Hearing that Little Foot had Parvo was a scary shock that made me cry my eyes out. The doctor told us that even with treatment, about 30% of dogs don't make it, so and my husband and I were so worried that he would be in that percentage because he's so tiny and fragile. I'm happy to update that Little Foot was a strong little boy and responded very well to the treatment. We got a call on Saturday afternoon, that he was ready to be picked up. We are ecstatic to have him back. It's the best birthday present I could have gotten. We still have to be extremely careful with him and hope he remains well though. Yesterday we noticed he had unusual breathing patterns and frequently kept (what looked like) coughing (he was moving his little body like he was almost hyperventilating or reverse sneezing -not sure what it was) and had to take him back to the doctors to see what was up. She said his white blood cells were low and gave us additional medication for him. For now, we're grateful that he's eating his food, drinking water, and doesn't have diarreha. We have faith that he will fully recover soon.

Little Foot on the car drive home.


Full of energy and trying to chew on the seat belt.

Dear Mr. Hilton

Dear Mr. Hilton,

Having just returned from Stacey and Tanner's great adventure aka college visit, I had to pen a letter to you. I so appreciate that you let us stay at your absolutely beautiful hotel for free with our Hilton Honors Points. The Hilton Frontenac in St. Louis was stunning! Just the drive up made me realize that I had arrived at a special place. However Mr. Hilton, please let me share something with you.

I walked into the beautiful bathroom with Crabtree & Evelyn products on the counter and noticed the sumptuous folded towels immediately. The room was immaculate and lovely.

But that magnifying mirror on the wall has got to go! You see Mr. Hilton, when a girl is 46 she just doesn't want that much information about her face! I prefer not realizing that my eyebrows are as thick as an oak tree...and um I didn't even need to know about those little broken blood vessel thingies on my neck. Mr. Hilton, really, my husband has limited vision and I need reading glasses. In our eyes I still look 26. So Mr. Hilton...next time...if I call ahead will you remove the mirror?

Your faithful customer,

Stacey

Happy Saturday!

Still out of town for a day or two but since it's Saturday morning and you might have a fresh cup of coffee in your hand, I just have to ask...do you wait and watch the calendar...so you can see the new Cottage of the Month each month? I do!

Have you seen it this month?

I can hardly make myself leave my chair. I've gone back to this a hundred times. This is quite a cottage! If you study the pictures there are lots of great ideas to take away.