Life, Thinking, and Updates

As you can tell, we did not do a quiz this Monday. We decided that 4 quizes (Easter, Nursery Rhymes, Friday 13th, and this one) would be too much to do in just 2 weeks. Monday we will return to your regularly scheduled quizzing. :o)

I've had a major emotional roller coaster this week... yesterday I had to leave my desk to go in the bathroom and cry. But I held it together, trusted that things would work out... went to pick up M (my unofficially adopted-daughter) last night (Instead of canceling, which is what I felt like doing.) and found out I was running a full 20 minutes EARLY! (By accident, of course!!! lol) I stopped off at a cemetery I love, and spent some time looking for stones covered by leaves (I have actually LOST 3 of the stones there... I think tree branches are on top of them maybe?) on the outskirts of the cemetery... and looking for pretty flowers. That 20 minutes gave me the joy and strength I needed to make it through the evening... and through driving lessons with M! (She's doing SO good! She will turn 16 in 3 weeks. Any good ideas for what to get her for her birthday? I want to give her a very special gift.)

Speaking of gifts....

Look what I got in the mail last week!!!!!!


Two VERY cool tiles from Tammy V!!!!!!!!!!

The one on top is called "Opening"

The one on the bottom is called "Bloom"

I think they are PERFECT because they are "housewarming" presents, and they are both about new lives opening up... and as I buy this house, i feel like a whole new life for me IS opening up.

Thanks Tam!!!!!!

You can see ALL her artwork here! (Check out the ugly fishies... so cute in their ugliness!!!! )

I was nominated by Jen and by Tammy V for a Thinking Blogger Award!! Thanks guys! You all rock. The rules of this are:

• List 5 blogs that make you think
• Link back to the original
• Pin your Thinking Blogger badge on your sidebar

5 blogs that make me think? ONLY 5???? Well, I'm going to exclude blogs who I know have already been nominated, which will help a little... Here are 5 blogs that always make me think:

Intuitive Creativity - I love how reading her blog lets you see how Shelley is growing in her life, and learning so much! She shares the lessons she learns from good days, bad days, and life in general. This week, she shared in a post about how she cleaned her studio in a new way... slowly and thoughtfully. I thought about this, and decided to try it Monday night.... WOW! I got a lot done! And at the same time, I had a chance to actually THINK as I did it... not hurrying around and exhausting myself, but actually paying attention to the area I was cleaning! I love the perspective with which Shelley looks at life... it makes me pause to think about life in a new way.
Leticia's World - I absolutely LOVE Leti's blog!!! Every Friday she posts a question to get us thinking, and she's always posting news articles and asking our opinions. I disagree with her about 60% of the time, and enjoy posting my thoughts on different topics! For the times when I DO agree with her, I also like to add a bit of devil's advocate-ness to her blog, since I WOULD rather argue than eat. LOL I learn a lot from these arguements, and they are VERY fun!

Wednesday's Child - Miss R's blog always inspires me. She looks at life with wonder... that is such a precious gift! Her blog reminds me to slow down and think about the amazing things around me. How many times do I overlook the small wonders in my life?

Tammy the Warrior - Of all the blogs I've listed, her blog makes me think the most. She reminds me that life is precious, and that I should make the most of it. Her poetry and photography remind me to pursue my passions. But most of all... her life as the warrior has taught me so much about facing unchangeable things in life with grace, and retaining your independant spirit without withdrawing from life.

Okay, it is 10:44 PM and I'm exhausted. I haven't blogged a sucessful post in days. I have dirt on my clothes and in my hair. I'm pretty sure I smell. Tomorrow the appraiser is coming to look at our house, and I still have more cleaning to do.

I'm allowed to only post 4 due to a lack of time, right?? lol

The next few days will be REALLY busy for me, so I may not be posting much. I have some funny stories saved up to share, and pictures, so I'll make sure and put SOMETHING new on here. :o)