Quick Check In

I've totally slacked on blogging this month.  I've been so scattered in my mind since my last blog that I just haven't had opportunity to calm my thoughts and come up with a well thought out blog.  And speaking of last blog, when my mind is going in circles is when it's the hardest to not smoke.... back to square one.

Over the last couple of weeks I've been questioning a lot about what I REALLY want out of life at this point.  I have a dream job, I have the best dog ever, I feel mentally sound.  I've been loving being single but in my heart always lay love, companionship, and family.  Perhaps one day I'll give a go at it again because I really cannot see myself as one of those people who chose to forever be single, however finding someone compatible and trustworthy is the hard part.  Dating truly sucks and may be in the end what drives me to being the cat lady.  HA

I really want/need a new/used car as well as I'd rather be living in a house than an apartment.  So then comes my choice because I can only do one or the other this coming year... go for a more comfortable living situation or get a more reliable ride.  Though the decision should be cut and dry very easy, a rational mind would say reliable car is more important, but I still cannot help but wish for the comfort of not dealing with apartment living and having a yard for my awesome dog.  Getting a degree has been in the forefront as well.  I've done really well without one, however I could be doing a lot better with one I know. 

And then there are about 72 billion other things spinning around in that mind of mine.  I think that my mind has been going since it's a new year upon us.  So now I can't help but wonder what I'm going to do with myself next.  Really I need to find 7 billion dollars, buy and island, and retire there.  It could happen right?  As usual the universe will deliver me where I need to be.

I'm not one for making New Year's resolutions.  I never have made one.  But I always ponder what the next year will bring.  Whatever happens I'll be moving forward and making my life better as I always strive to do!!!

Step it up this year and do something to make your life better this coming year!

I hope you are all having a wonderful holiday season and I hope that all is well in your world.

Much love!

Inner Strength

I had a few days off of work, and I took the days to kind of decompress, recoup, be lazy and avoid thinking as much as possible.  Sometimes we all need a little mental break.  During the down time I read through some of my old blogs and I thought I would share one tonight because I found it as a good reminder to myself, and hopefully it will be a good reminder to you as well.
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Inner Strength - Written by me on 11/1/2006

Sometimes in life we are faced with decisions, circumstances, and situations that feel overwhelming.  Fear and confusion can consume us if we are not diligent and see ourselves as strong and able to accomplish anything we want or live through anything life throws at us.

They say the power of positive thinking is strong, and I agree.  The mind is a powerful thing, I agree with that too.

If we can bring ourselves to a point where we believe that no matter what obstacles life throws at us,  that we can push through and persevere, and make it to our ultimate goals... then the people on this earth would be a lot happier.

Not many things in life can be accomplished easily.  Especially for those who do not have someone else paying their way or a huge mental support team backing them up and cheering them on.  If you can believe in yourself, and pull from your own strength inside of yourself, then you will reach heights that you never imagined you are possible of achieving.

How do you find that inner strength?  I don't know some magical formula that will wahlah make you tap into it.  You just have to want something and not be scared to go for it no matter what circumstances surround you.  Some use the power of faith in a higher being to help them find their inner strength. 

Whether it be an awesome job, a better healthier body, a new frame of mind, or even a whole new life... if you can focus on that thing you want more than anything and take the first step to getting there, making the decision that this is really what you want, then you just may find that hidden source of strength that you've repressed all too long.

First you have to figure out what it is you really want though.  You can't be full of indecision and doubt and flip flopping on "Do I want this or do I want this".  Confusion and question about your goals and decisions will try to sneak in tear you down.  Those thoughts and feelings are natural.  You just have to work through them.

Tell yourself that you want this and you are going to follow through with what you have started.  Do not give up on yourself no matter what.  Do not let the chastising of others bring you down.  Take from that and know that one day you will be where you want and happy and accomplished and they will still be where they were at when they tried to ridicule you and bring you down.

It's unfortunate but most people in this life do not want to see someone be more successful than them, some people just do not want others to succeed period and will do everything in their power to make you feel ridiculous for what you are trying to do with yourself.  If everyone you knew dropped out of your life you would still be able to carry on with living.

Do not worry about what others think; keep pushing keep diligent and persistent.  You'll make it to where it is you want to be. Your own strength, your own support system within you, is the strongest thing you have.  Inner strength and believing in you can overcome anything.  If you know what you are doing is right for you then follow through and accomplish that or those things that you desire in your heart.  You may start a wildfire within yourself.  Accomplish one goal, then you'll be set to give it a go at the next.  

Your inner strength is waiting to be tapped, so start looking for it and you just may find it. 

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That blog is as true to me today as it was 5 years ago.  Having the support of others is a gratifying and comfortable thing.  But as I've learned sometimes you do not have the support of anyone, but you know what is right for you.  Have respect for yourself, trust yourself, and always have faith in yourself.  You are awesome!

Much love! 

 

Guard Dogs and Guns



Balue's first night home.



When I brought Balue home when he was about 8 weeks old on his 3^rd day with me I knew he was going to be a good guard dog.  I barricaded him into the kitchen with a baby gate and left for work that Monday morning.  When I got home and opened my front door I hear the most precious little guard puppy noises coming from the kitchen you ever heard… “Grrrr WOOF grrrrrr woof woof woof grrrrr”.  I was thrilled!  I walked around the corner and he saw me and immediately started wagging his tail and went into goofy happy my mom is home puppy mode. 

Since then there has only been a couple of occasions when Balue has had to go into guard dog mode.  One such occasion was when I had left home for a birthday party and came back I did not notice that though I had left lights on, the inside of the house was now completely dark.  The house had a fenced back yard and that is where I had left Balue because he was still in the young dog phase where he would tear things up if I left him inside alone.  I enter the back yard to go through the back door to let Balue inside with me still not a care in the world and happy from such a fun party and he was acting all antsy and wanting in badly, I’m thinking ‘sheesh dog chill’.  I open the door and Balue immediately flies inside and starts growling and barking and I realized something was wrong.  It turned out I had gotten home just in time to let Balue in to chase the robbers that were in the house through the front door and they left behind the duffle bags of items they had packed to take with them, unfortunately they had pocketed some of my jewelry though.  Balue proceeded to check every room and be on guard for the rest of the evening.

Last night about 2:30 am I am sleeping and wake up to Balue jumping out of the bed and then hear his large paws hit my sliding glass door and he starts his low growl and barking telling someone to get away.  I’m pretty sure it was not an animal because he has a different bark for them.  This was serious.  I’m so freaked out that I was kinda sitting there in bed thinking ‘why in the hell do I not have a gun!’ Balue ran in jumped in the bed looks at me and runs back to the window but he wasn’t barking or growling anymore so I’m assuming whoever the creeper is must be gone.  I go and double check all the doors and windows are locked and thankfully they were and did not see anyone.

I’m then laying in the bed thinking about this event.  I’ve always had a man and usually guns in the house and never really worried about safety.  I was thinking maybe I should get a baseball bat… which a serious assailant would probably laugh at a girl standing there with a baseball bat.  Unfortunately I’m not a ninja and probably couldn’t actually knock a gun out of someone’s hand with my bat and then do some fancy flip and karate chop them in the back of the head to knock them out until the police arrive. 

I’ve always believed in the right to protect your home with a gun, and I’m thinking I don’t want to bring a bat or a knife to a gun show.  Being a single female who lives alone certainly has its advantages and along with that it's downfalls, and safety is one of them.  I used to be an apartment property manager and I know that apartment break-ins in this city are very common.  For example, a couple of years ago a couple of girls at the complex next to the one I worked at were tortured at gunpoint for hours then robbed.  Having a great guard dog does make me feel a level of safety and I love and appreciate him dearly… however what would I do if they got past the dog? 

Perhaps a gun of my own isn’t such a bad idea.  I’ve used them before at target practice and I’m not a bad shot.  I’d just need to find the right one for me and then learn how to clean and properly maintain it.  That thought reminds me that there is something sexy about a man cleaning his gun, they take such pride and care in doing it.

I know a lot of people do not feel the same way as I do and are very anti-gun.  How would your family protect yourselves if an armed assailant entered your home?

Much love!

Toe Socks Equal Toe Heaven

Here in Gainesville FL it is currently a chilly 46 degrees Fahrenheit... and for you people who live on the other side of the world that would be 7.78 Celsius.  Brrrr!  Have no fear I bundled up in warm clothes and I am surviving.  After a bit I realized my poor toes were cold... ahhh time to bust out the toe socks! 

OH YEAH THAT'S RIGHT!  TOE SOCKS!

A friend of mine gave me these socks for my birthday a couple of years ago.  When he first handed them to me I was like hmmm they are cute but I don't know about toe socks... but due to their cuteness I had to go ahead and try them.  One word - SuperComfy. 

My toes absolutely love being wrapped in their own little cozy little blanket of warmth.  

These socks are great and now a staple to my home winter survival attire.  I really should get some more pairs, though it may be hard to find ones cuter than these.  My birthday is coming up, feel free to send me new ones, my toes will feel so spoiled.  ha!

If you find yourself with half frozen toes, or just want some groovy fun socks go pick up a pair!

Much love and keep warm!